Jump to content

Hello :)

Ljblair1

By Ljblair1
in Welcome

Recommended Posts

Ljblair1

Ljblair1

Posted
Posted

I'm a newbie to Stargazing, and I recently purchased a Sky Watcher 200P with an EQ 5 mount. I love the night sky and I have a passion for physics. I study physics at university and I am about to enter my fourth year. I was always planning to specialise in Astronomy in fourth year but due to a series of unfortunate events it is not being offered to my year. I am currently trying to arrange alternatives for next year and I am considering transferring for my Masters year.

In the mean time, I have decided to take matters into my own hands and learn all I can by myself - hence the telescope.

Tonight was the first time I took it out, and I managed to locate the moon ( big target I know but I'm a newbie :hello2:) I could not get it to focus, despite working on it for 3 hours! I am pretty sure it is a collimation issue. My manual gives instructions on how to clollimate by eye, but would I be better purchasing I collimating eyepiece?

Thank you

Lisa

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • Replies 28
  • Created
  • Last Reply
Mr Q

Mr Q

Posted
Posted

Lisa - By "collimate by eye" do you mean removing the EP and looking down the focuser tube? If so, and all the items are centered, the collimation should be real close. If so, maybe you are trying to focus too quickly and passing by the in focus spot?

If the objects are not centered, do what the manual says to collimate and you will be close enough to provide near perfect images.

And welcome to the SGL.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
JamesF

JamesF

Posted
Posted

I think a collimating eyepiece or laser is always a good idea. Is the scope new? I'd have thought it would be reasonably close as shipped. Could be that poor seeing at the time you were trying it wasn't helping matters?

The moon is visible for a fair while during the day at the moment, so you should at least be able to tweak things in daylight if that would make life easier, or if you can see a distant land-based object you could use that to test focusing, too.

Welcome to SGL.

James

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Phil-lost!

Phil-lost!

Posted
Posted

Hi lisa and welcome, everyone's really helpful on this forum, you'll learn a lot. I have the same scope and had a similar problem, turned out there's a locking nut under the focuser and if its not undone the focus wheels still turn but the actual focuser doesn't, could that be the problem?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
JamesM

JamesM

Posted
Posted

Hi Lisa and welcome to the forum. Don't forget to let the scope mirror cool down to ambient temperature (40 mins) as the warmer thermals on the mirror's surface can also prevent sharp focusing. As great as the moon is, you are going to need some more targets! You might then like to download 'Stellarium' here which a FREE piece of planetarium software that will tell you where all the other great objects are too. You can configure it from your exact observing location and has lots of other great features that will keep you occupied when the clouds come in. Hope that helps.

Clear skies an enjoy the forum.

James

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.