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Not sure how to operate my new telescope

Jakerm1995
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Jakerm1995

Jakerm1995

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I purchased the Bresser messier 10" dobsonian telescope and wanted to test it out last night. Upon looking through the eyepiece (25mm that comes with the scope) , all I can see when trying to observe anything, i will pan over a star and I will get a blodge of light which looks like the rods supporting the secondary mirror. I'm unable to get anything. I am a complete novice and have no idea what i'm doing while trying to operate a telescope :'D 

I appreciate any and all advice :)

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johninderby

johninderby

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Have you fitted the extension tube to the focuser? Needed for observing with an eyepiece. otherwise you can’t focus.

BTW the extension tube comes in the smaller box that has the parts for assembling the base.

85523B1D-F0C2-40CF-8A0E-A7C2F95E7CAB.jpeg

Edited by johninderby
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Jakerm1995

Jakerm1995

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50 minutes ago, johninderby said:

Have you fitted the extension tube to the focuser? Needed for observing with an eyepiece. otherwise you can’t focus.

BTW the extension tube comes in the smaller box that has the parts for assembling the base.

85523B1D-F0C2-40CF-8A0E-A7C2F95E7CAB.jpeg

I had not done this, I will do this now! Thank you very much :)

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Jakerm1995

Jakerm1995

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15 minutes ago, Dr Strange said:

Also collimate the scope before using it. The manual should have directions on how to do this. It is pretty straight forward and once you get the hang of it, easy to do. 

I don't have a collimation tool, could you recommend any? I have read about a few, but am unsure exactly which one to go for. I've read that laser collimators can be inaccurate..?

Thanks,
Jake  

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johninderby

johninderby

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While there are many various collimation tools available would suggest starting with a Cheshire eyepiece for now. 

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/search/for/cheshire/

The most basic tool is a collimation cap. 

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/other-collimation-tools/rigel-aline-collimation-cap.html

What you could do for now is to make your own collimation cap using the blanking cap that came with the scope and drilling a 3mm hole in the centre. Not perfect but will give you something that you can use today.

Collimation guide

http://www.opticalvision.co.uk/documents/203.pdf

Edited by johninderby
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miguel87

miguel87

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1 hour ago, Jakerm1995 said:

I don't have a collimation tool, could you recommend any? I have read about a few, but am unsure exactly which one to go for. I've read that laser collimators can be inaccurate..?

Thanks,
Jake  

Yes chesire's are great, I have one you can borrow here if you like.

Lasers collimators have to be adjusted themselves so just something else that can go wrong. Chesire is super easy.

I know alot of people like astrobaby collimation instructions but personally I prefer http://www.propermotion.com/jwreed/ATM/Collimate/Chesire.htm

Love the telescope by the way.

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Dr Strange

Dr Strange

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The scope should have come with a Cheshire... I would suggest checking again. Perhaps it got lost in the bits and bobs... If you can't find it here are two options from FLO. 

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/hotech-collimation-tools/hotech-sca-laser-collimator-with-cross-hair.html

This is a good laser collimatior. Especially for its price point. The gold standard is the Glatter but it is £269. This one is £99. It will get the job done nicely and is designed so that you do not need to adjust it. I know David Ho personally and he is an engineer by training and profession who turned his passion for astronomy into a business.  Before I got my Glatter I used this one and for me it worked very well. I would highly recommend it if you do not want to spring for a Glatter.

Speaking of which you shouldn't spring for a Glatter. The Glatter is a high end tool for people who are very fussy about their collimation. I use mine in combination with an auto collimator to get my collimation as close to perfect as I can. But then I am very fussy, have no other hobbies, and take sack lunches to afford my kit. I also tell SWMBO that it keeps me out of the pub's. Actually a true statement. ;) 

As an alternative, as noted above, a good Cheshire will get the job done and is even less expensive. A good one from FLO would be:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/other-collimation-tools/astro-essentials-cheshire-collimating-eyepiece.html

At £24 it is going to be the most affordable.

One thing to note. What you get with the laser is it is stupid simple to work with and saves time as well. So it comes down to a time value of money equation. By that I mean do you want to spend more, in this case about £65 more, to make things easier and faster? If your time is worth more than the £65 then the answer is get the laser. If you are not in a rush, don't care that much, and/or don't mind the additional time spent dealing with things then don't. 

Edited by Dr Strange
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Jakerm1995

Jakerm1995

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42 minutes ago, miguel87 said:

Yes chesire's are great, I have one you can borrow here if you like.

Lasers collimators have to be adjusted themselves so just something else that can go wrong. Chesire is super easy.

I know alot of people like astrobaby collimation instructions but personally I prefer http://www.propermotion.com/jwreed/ATM/Collimate/Chesire.htm

Love the telescope by the way.

Hey, thanks for the offer. I am happy to purchase one today. But maybe I could ask if it's possible to come and watch you collimate? To get an understanding of how it is done, and also maybe try and grasp some other aspects of how dobsonians work.. I mean if that is okay with you of course :) I learn so much better when actually getting a hands on demonstration. 

 

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Jakerm1995

Jakerm1995

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2 hours ago, johninderby said:

While there are many various collimation tools available would suggest starting with a Cheshire eyepiece for now. 

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/search/for/cheshire/

The most basic tool is a collimation cap. 

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/other-collimation-tools/rigel-aline-collimation-cap.html

What you could do for now is to make your own collimation cap using the blanking cap that came with the scope and drilling a 3mm hole in the centre. Not perfect but will give you something that you can use today.

Collimation guide

http://www.opticalvision.co.uk/documents/203.pdf

Thanks for all the info! :)

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Jakerm1995

Jakerm1995

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14 minutes ago, Dr Strange said:

The scope should have come with a Cheshire... I would suggest checking again. Perhaps it got lost in the bits and bobs... If you can't find it here are two options from FLO. 

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/hotech-collimation-tools/hotech-sca-laser-collimator-with-cross-hair.html

This is a good laser collimatior. Especially for its price point. The gold standard is the Glatter but it is £269. This one is £99. It will get the job done nicely and is designed so that you do not need to adjust it. I know David Ho personally and he is an engineer by training and profession who turned his passion for astronomy into a business.  Before I got my Glatter I used this one and for me it worked very well. I would highly recommend it if you do not want to spring for a Glatter.

Speaking of which you shouldn't spring for a Glatter. The Glatter is a high end tool for people who are very fussy about their collimation. I use mine in combination with an auto collimator to get my collimation as close to perfect as I can. But then I am very fussy, have no other hobbies, and take sack lunches to afford my kit. I also tell SWMBO that it keeps me out of the pub's. Actually a true statement. ;) 

As an alternative, as noted above, a good Cheshire will get the job done and is even less expensive. A good one from FLO would be:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/other-collimation-tools/astro-essentials-cheshire-collimating-eyepiece.html

At £24 it is going to be the most affordable.

One thing to note. What you get with the laser is it is stupid simple to work with and saves time as well. So it comes down to a time value of money equation. By that I mean do you want to spend more, in this case about £65 more, to make things easier and faster? If your time is worth more than the £65 then the answer is get the laser. If you are not in a rush, don't care that much, and/or don't mind the additional time spent dealing with things then don't. 

I will consider investing in one at some point but at the moment I wouldn't mind learning to use a Cheshire.  Thanks for all the tips!!

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miguel87

miguel87

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13 minutes ago, Jakerm1995 said:

Hey, thanks for the offer. I am happy to purchase one today. But maybe I could ask if it's possible to come and watch you collimate? To get an understanding of how it is done, and also maybe try and grasp some other aspects of how dobsonians work.. I mean if that is okay with you of course :) I learn so much better when actually getting a hands on demonstration. 

 

Yep sounds good, a practical demonstration is always easiest plus it will be quicker with 2 people. On my current 200p I can reach the mirror screws whilst looking through the chesire so I can collimator myself.

I imagine your OTA length means you cant keep your eye on the focusser and reach the primary mirror at the same time. So 2 people is a bit quicker.

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johninderby

johninderby

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2 minutes ago, miguel87 said:

Should be really. I mean, how inexpensive is a little cap with a hole in?

The provided blanking cap having a flat top would be easy for them to make into a collimation cap by putting a hole in the centre. 🤔

Edited by johninderby
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