explorer 130/general equipment advice.

[Lewis90]

Ok, so I know what I've bought. I've set everything up. It's just. I don't actually know what I've bought if that makes sense. It all looks very impressive but I'm nieve about lenses, filters and so on. As far as I'm aware, with my 130 I have a 10mm, 25mm and a barlow lens. Just popped the 10mm in so far and waiting for a clear night. I have a red dot finder which needs aligning also. Just coming to terms with the R.A and Dec knobs, everythings balanced out now.

So really, just some basic equipment advice and lingo I'm after really? Will help me understand other posts aswell as my own scope.

Lewis.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

Hello Lewis

During the day is the best time to align your finder. I have no personal experience of the red dot finder on your scope but I assume you align it the same as an optical finder: choose a distant stationary object such as a telegraph pole, church spire or whatever. Use your lowest power eyepiece (the 25mm) and find your chosen object. You center it in the eyepiece and then adjust your finder so that it is pointing at the same object. You can then fine tune using your higher power 10mm eyepiece.

I'm sure I probably don't need to tell you but don't point your scope anywhere near the sun!

Hope this helps.

Gareth

[rwilkey]

Hi Lewis, welcome to SGL. You have two fairly decent starter eyepieces, I would suggest using the 25mm to start with, that way you will see more sky and perhaps a little sharper. Only put the 10mm in if you want to increase magnification. Test both on the Moon to start with, if its about. Other than that just get used to looking at the sky with a telescope and enjoy what you see. No need to consider any further equipment just yet, especially not filters, they are mostly for more specialist target viewing. Try out the Barlow when you have time, you may find it increases the magnification too much. Ensure your finder scope is aligned, usually done during daylight on a distant object like a church spire or something. Most of all, enjoy the great equipment you have, the sky is your oyster!

[Lewis90]

Brilliant! shows how nieve I am.. I've been using the 10mm wondering why I couldn't see nearer objects clearly. Doh. Makes sense now! 25 it is.

[Astro Imp]

You will need to find your way around the sky, a good free planetarium program is Stellarium:- http://www.stellarium.org/

Now all you need is clear skies, good luck and enjoy.