Probably a silly question but I'm new!

[Jimmrr]

Hi everyone I'm new to all this, I bought a skywatcher 130 reflector a few days ago and it has the big dust cap on the end. Question is do you keep the main dust cap on when using it as It has another small cap on the dust cap which comes off so do you just pull the small cap off to use the telescope? Or does the whole dust cap needs to come off to use the telescope properly?? It's been cloudy everyday so havnt been able to use the scope yet to figure it out ☺. Hope I made myself clear.

[Tinker1947]

Take the whole dustcap off, the smaller type is used when you want to cut down on the amount of light entering the tube......during daylight....

[Putaendo Patrick]

You're by no means the first here to ask that question

Some people also use it to reduce light when looking at a bright Moon.

[mcsheffield]

Hi Jimmrr,

Welcome to SGL, there are no silly questions, but you may get silly answers!

It can be useful to cut down when looking at a bright moon.

Any other questions just ask away, there is so much knowledge in SGL.

 

Andrew

[Jimmrr]

Many thanks for the replies,  that makes sense about letting less light in! ☺

[Mak the Night]

That hole has always puzzled me as well. I read somewhere that it was a common practise at one time with many Asiatic telescope manufacturers (including Synta) to add a 1.25" aperture hole to the objective lens cap to facilitate the application of solar filters for viewing eclipses. I don't know how true this is and it is VERY dangerous to look at the Sun through a telescope without specialist equipment. 

[Danny83uk]

If it makes you feel better. Ive spent several minutes stressing over why i can see anything or focus on an object. Only to realise ive left it on.

[Mak the Night]

10 minutes ago, Danny83uk said:

If it makes you feel better. Ive spend several minutes stressing over why i can see anything or focus on an object. Only to realise ive left it on.

I still do that occasionally, but don't tell anyone. 

[paulastro]

Don't be concerned about asking about anything Jim.  The person who doesn't ask questions or do something really ridiculous hasn't been an astronomer for very long.  It's fine to make mistakes, but better if you don't keep making the same ones! 

Also, astronomy covers such a vast number of different areas, you will always be learning - no matter how long your astronomical interest lasts.

[Astro Imp]

As has been said never be afraid to ask questions, we all knew nothing once. Also your question and the answers might help another member.

Good luck, hope you manage to get out soon.

[Putaendo Patrick]

Just bought a new scope today - tried it out. Spectacular pitch-black dark sky. No stars but who cares. Then it dawned on me, it was three o'clock in the afternoon. Guess what......

It's true!

[cloudsweeper]

Out of desperation to see anything, I'm now a bit of an expert on roof tiles, TV aerials, lamp posts.  And wood pigeons!

And do you know what?  I'm sure they know they're being watched.  Try it!

Doug.

[Akiainavas]

I actually leafed through all manuals I have ever received with any of my scopes - and to my surprise - no manufacturer has ever mentioned what the small hole in the dust cap is for. They must assume we all know it somehow

[Mak the Night]

6 hours ago, cloudsweeper said:

Out of desperation to see anything, I'm now a bit of an expert on roof tiles, TV aerials, lamp posts.  And wood pigeons!

And do you know what?  I'm sure they know they're being watched.  Try it!

Doug.

Lamp posts definitely know they're being watched ...

[Staffs Oatcake]

If you want to see some real dark skies try leaving all the dust caps on.   When first had the scope a few years ago I spent 10 minutes trying to phathom out why the sky was so black.   I'd done every the instruction had said to do.  Apart from put the dust cover on the dining room table.  Unbeknown to me my wife thought she was helping and put it back on.  

[laudropb]

Hello and welcome. That's actually a good question. Not at silly. Keep asking away.