westwales Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 HiJust bought a Skywatcher 130p with 10mm and 25mm EPs and added a celestron omni 2x barlow. Just need a clear night to et up the red dot finder and align the scope to north.One question so far, if I may.: - the barlow is quite long - how far into the focuser should it go? Push it in all the way or only a little? Or somewher between? I'm frightened of doing some damage to the secondary mirror if I get it wrong Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naxos10 Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 Hi westwales welcome to the SL. I am am fairly new to astronomy but I am sure that someone will be along shortly who can answer your barlow question.BRAlan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dude_with_the_tube Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 assuming that you have 1.25" adapter on your focuser or the focuser itself is 1.25",barlow will go in only until the expanding ridge on it.Just slide it in and tighten the securing bolts.you should be unable to reach the secondary mirror. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damnut Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 Hi westwales,Welcome to SGL, lovely dark skies in Ceredigion. If you want a dark site try Poppit Sands carpark just far enough from Cardigan and a sea horizon if you set up near the rnli!!Hwyl! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mondlicht13 Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 Welcome aboard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stargazerslivingroom Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 Welcome from me, too.You can set up your red dot finder in daylight.....I use a radio mast on a hill about 3 miles away. It's much easier to do in daylight and is very accurate when I do (eventually) get out at night. BTW Any fairly distant object will suffice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnakeyJ Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 Hi Westwales,Welcome on board - best of luck with the sky clearing and proper first light on your new scope.Jake Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stargazer33 Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 Hi westwales! Welcome to SGL!As members have already said the barlow should go in up to the shoulder and then be held in place with the little thumb screw(s). The ep is then placed in the open end of the barlow again up to the shoulder and the thumb screw(s) tightened to hold it in place. These only need to be 'nipped up' just enough in order to hold the barlow & ep in place. You don't need to put any force on them.Also as previously stated, it is a good idea to get your finder (scope or red dot) aligned during the day. Pick an object - the further away the better - like the finial on top of a church spire or weather vane, an antenna mast, power pylon etc or even an aerial on top of a chimney. Centre the object of your choice in your main scope first. Start with your 25mm and once centred, move up to your 10mm and centre again. You could then put in your barlow and 25mm & then 10mm to get maximum accuracy although focus may be difficult depending on conditions. Once you are happy with the centring in your main scope, without moving your mount, move to your red dot finder and using the adjustment screws move the finder so that the object you chose is bang in the centre. The finder and main OTA (optical tube assembly) will now be aligned.I hope you manage to get out soon and have first light with your new scope.Clear skies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saturn4me Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 Hi and welcome to SGL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catweazel Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 Hi. Welcome to the lounge, and congrats on the 130P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westwales Posted January 26, 2013 Author Share Posted January 26, 2013 Hi and thanks for the warm welcome and excellent advice. Just tried the Barlow in the focuser. Slid in to the shoulder and doesn't foul the secondary as I'd feared. Thanks Bryan and dude_with_the_tube. If tomorrow is dry (lol!) I'll align the finder using a tv mast about 5 miles away. Thanks for the tip about Poppit Damian, roll on clear skies! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Wells Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 Welcome to SGL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorningMajor Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 Hi and welcome - hope you (we all!) get some clear skies soon - good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Spock Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 Hi, welcome to SGL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ganymede12 Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 Welcome to SGL! Feel free to join us in the south Wales group for one of our meets in Blaenavon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesM Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 Hi and welcome to the forumClear skies James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wookie1965 Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 A warm welcome to SGL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilove1995 Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 Hi and welcome to SGL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welrod50 Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 Welcome from me too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Siriusmeg Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 Hello and welcome from me too - enjoy your new scope (if the skies ever clear!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glowjet Posted January 27, 2013 Share Posted January 27, 2013 Hi Westwales and welcome to SGL John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stargazer33 Posted January 27, 2013 Share Posted January 27, 2013 I'll align the finder using a tv mast about 5 miles away.That's a nice object to have and a really good distance too. Take your time and get it as accurate as you can and it will save you time and frustration later. Also be careful not to knock the finder once you have it aligned to your main scope.We should get a bit of clear sky here tonight, so hopefully I can get outside for the first time in over a week!Good luck and hope to hear all about your first observing session soon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bizibilder Posted January 27, 2013 Share Posted January 27, 2013 Hello Westwales and welcome to SGL!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Presland Posted January 27, 2013 Share Posted January 27, 2013 hi welcome to SGL from peter in bedfordshire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michigander Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 Welcome to SGL, westwales!Dana Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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