Newbie with an old telescope..

[robertkirk202]

Hi guys, im currently getting my grandads old besser optik 114mm x 1000m reflector scope setup. Im having the old newbie issues with focus. Can anyone guide me in what size eyepieces i will need for getting a clear view of the moon, and further away planets like saturn or jupiter?

[nightfisher]

If you dont have any eyepiece`s then look out for a 25mm and a 10 or 12mm, this should work okay for you and get you nicely started, you might want to check to see if it takes 1.25 eyepieces

[happy-kat]

Welcome

Something to identify is whether your telescope takes 1.25 inch eyepieces or some other size.

I am a newbie to really and have no knowledge of your telescope perhaps you will get more replies.

[robertkirk202]

All ive got is a 2x barlow

H12.5mm

H6mm

H20mm

and something else as you can see from the picture

When i try and view the moon it gets blurry and i cant seem to get a decent magnification on jupiter

[happy-kat]

Perhaps you need to check the collimation of your telescope.

The alignment between the mirrors might be out affecting what you can see.

Also each time you observe can be different due to the atmospheric conditions, this can make the image blurry and wobble around.

[AndyH]

Measure the silver chromed, lower part of the eyepieces and see if they are 24.5mm or 31.75mm in diameter.

In the pics they look to be the smaller size.

Whilst the measuring tape is out, is the telescope's tube length in the region of 500mm long?

Finally, with nothing inserted in the telescope's focuser, have a look down it. Point it at a lit wall in your house. Is there a lens fitted deep inside the focuser?

[Fish]

What you have should give you good clear views of the moon, if you can ,set it up during the day and see if you can get sharp focus on the most distant object you can see prefrably on the horizon. Use the 25mm eyepiece first. If the daytime views are goos then I would think the moon should be. Remember as you increase the magnification the image will get softer and not as sharp.

[MoonManiac]

How are the weather conditions where you are at the moment? Are there turbulences? They can make the image very blurry.

Also, try to avoid full moon as you won't get crisp details when the moon is full. You will see the craters at their best when they are along the terminator.

[Dave In Vermont]

Oh my! Those eyepieces are Huygen's. I'd suggest an upgrade to Plossl's. Not expensive, and light-years better. Those you have now belong in a museum.

And I also suggest learning to collimate your scope. It may seem a daunting task due to all the bad advice out there, but here's among the best:

http://www.astro-baby.com/collimation/astro%20babys%20collimation%20guide.htm

Once you've collimated for the first time, it's like riding a bicycle - you'll remember how and it become easy. I actually enjoy it.

Clear Skies,

Dave

p.s. Welcome to SGL! Make yourself at home! We love questions here.

[robertkirk202]

Cheers guys not been on for a while...the weathers been a little bit turbulant and ive been trying to view a full moon aswell...ill post an update soon cheers in advance guys