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Hello from South Bristol

ScottS

By ScottS
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ScottS

ScottS

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Been browsing on here for a few months now and thought I'd better get a bit more involved as the arrival of my Skywatcher 200p Dob is imminent.

As this is my first tentative step into astronomy, I decided to keep things simple and go for a purely visual setup with maximum aperture. I wasn't 100% sure I would get on with the equatorial mounted 200p that I was looking at before, and in any case I can always upgrade to this type of mount in the future I suppose if I stick with the hobby. My main interest has always been DSO's anyway.

Just a couple of noob questions:

Is it worth getting a diagonal for the finderscope, if there is such a thing, so I'm not twisting my neck round all the time, or is this not really a problem?

Dew shield - neccessary?

Also, does anyone local to me know of good viewing sites around this way (fair bit of light pollution where I live).

Anything else I might need to know about my new instrument?

Thanks.

Scott.

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Welrod50

Welrod50

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Hi Scott from another Scott ;)

Ok, questions wise:

I'm not sure if there are comercially available diagonals for finderscopes. If there are, then I can see the attraction. However, I know some folks here have made their own, so I'm sure someone will chip in at some point with advice or to direct you to the right bit. Whether its an issue for you I can't say. It isn't for me, but I'm using an EQ mounted Newtonian. A dob may have different angles and/or require you to get lower depending on where you're pointing it.

Dew shield - I've made my own. It works, so I would say yes to one, but try making one first, its much cheaper!

I'm not from Bristol, so you're on your own there chief ;)

Good luck and enjoy the scope when it comes!

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JonDoe

JonDoe

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Hi Scott welcome to SGL, if your going to last in this hobby then patience is the key, im struggling with mine atm but working at it.

when conditions are right you get to see some wonderous things, enjoy and clear skies.

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JamesF

JamesF

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Welcome to SGL

If you'd like a right-angle finder you usually have to buy a completely separate unit as the body needs to be much shorter to accommodate the length of the optical path taken up by the diagonal. Whether you have one or not is up to you. You may find that getting a telrad works better all round.

With a dob you can often live without a dew shield depending circumstances, so give it a whirl and see how it goes. Many people make their own from a hacked up camping mat rather than buying one.

James

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John

John

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Hi Scott and welcome to SGL !

I'm from Portishead myself so not to far from you :smiley:

As has been said, you would probably need to replace the finder with a RA one as modifying the existing one will require major surgery.

I find the illuminated reticule finders such as the Telrad and the Rigel Quikfinder very useful as an alternative / addition to the optical finder.

I observe mostly from my back garden but I know that Bristol Astronomy Society have an observatory near Failand so I guess it must be reasonably dark in that vicinity.

Bristol AS also have regular mini star parties at Tyntesfield House near Wraxall which are fun to go along to :smiley:

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DaveGarland

DaveGarland

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Hi Scott. Where in Bristol are you? Im in Bradley Stoke. Light pollution seems to be pretty poor all around Bristol im afraid but you should still see plenty with the 200p. I have the EQ version and have had a great time with it.

Dave.

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JamesM

JamesM

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Hi Scott and welcome to the forum. A right angle correct image (RACI) finder is the way to go along with a Telrad or Rigel Quikfinder which together make the ultimate finder combination! The Telrad will take you to the right location, the optical finder will help you close in leaving you to enjoy at the eyepiece! When I see you next (Bob's drinks do!) I'll bring along my Telrad for you to inspect, though it is a little bulky and looks more like a hamster's coffin than anything else. :grin:

Clear skies and see you soon.

James

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ScottS

ScottS

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Thanks for all the replies / warm welcome everyone. Unfortunately, I've been informed by the supplier that the scope has been damaged in transit and they have arranged for a replacement to be sent out. So a bit more of a wait :mad: It's total cloud cover here at the moment anyway. I'm a patient kind of person though ( a trait I acquired from angling), which I guess is a must in astronomy also.

Scott.

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