Ljblair1 Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 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 ) 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 youLisa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Q Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 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 More sharing options...
nightfisher Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 welcome lisa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pessoa Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Hi and welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sloz1664 Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Hello and welcome to the Lounge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
estwing Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 welcome along Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
telesto Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Hi Lisa, welcome to sgl and the forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Spock Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Hi Lisa, welcome to SGL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charon Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Welcome to the forum Lisa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesF Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 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 More sharing options...
gingergeek Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Hi there and welcome to SGL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sologuitarist61 Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Hello and welcome to the Lounge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinker1947 Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Welcome to the SGL, Forums Lisa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty Strings Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Hi and welcome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glowjet Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Hi Lisa and welcome to SGL John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caldwell 14 Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Hi and welcome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saturn4me Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Hi and welcome to SGL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spikey Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Hi Lisa & welcome to SGL. I don't think collimation should affect your focus that badly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil-lost! Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 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 More sharing options...
JamesM Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 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 More sharing options...
phil m105 Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 hi & welcome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bizibilder Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Hello Lisa and welcome to SGL!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToxoLight Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Hi Lisa and welcome to the lounge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marki Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Hi and welcome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul schofield Posted June 3, 2012 Share Posted June 3, 2012 Hello and welcome to SGL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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