Quick help needed please

[sheenoco]

Got telescope out right now to see Saturn but can only see the reflection of the telescope through the eyepiece (cross with hole in the middle). Whats wrong?

[oldpink]

thats a focus issue
what type of scope are you using and what attachments to the focuser are you using

[Moonshane]

if it's the scope in the pic you may be using both adapters. you should only use the smaller one for 1.25" eyepieces and only the larger for 2" eyepieces 

[NGC 1502]

Got telescope out right now to see Saturn but can only see the reflection of the telescope through the eyepiece (cross with hole in the middle). Whats wrong?

As mentioned in post # 2 sounds like you are way off focus. If your scope is a reflector, you are seeing the secondary mirror and spider (supporting vanes).

If it's a refractor, we have to think a lot harder......

Let us know a bit more if you can.

Regards, Ed.

Edit - Moonshane may well have hit the nail on the head......

[sheenoco]

Hi,yes it is the scope in the pic. What do you mean by adapters? We've been using it for a while now and it's been fine. This just happened all of a sudden.

[Moonshane]

you should only ever use one of these

[AlexB67]

Hi. if it isn't the above with the extension tubes, Judging by the picture it is the 8 inch Dob with Crayford focuser ?  Can you check you can change focus at all by looking at the focuser when you change focus with the focuser wheel. The focuser tube should move up an down when you do so.  You may have tightened the focuser lock screw perhaps a tiny bit or due to warm weather it tightened up a bit perhaps ? the focuser will not move up or down and slip in that case, when that happens you may never reach focus. Even with the correct extension tube it is possible to see what you describe when sufficiently far out of focus, these things got a fair amount of focus travel.

[brantuk]

If you're still having problems then I'd be happy to help you sort it out if you'd like to bring it round my place. Drop me a pm and we can arrange a meeting.