My first Observation

[pedromreis]

Hi All

So I got the budget https://www.firstlightoptics.com/startravel/skywatcher-startravel-80-tabletop-telescope.html and I got up and running 2 nights ago.

This was my all time first observation, no other help than the manual that came with the scope and what I read in the web. No star atlas, just phone apps.

Tried it on my front terrace, with lots of light pollution. I have led street light illuminating the terrace, just 10m away

But, ok. I assembled it and point it to Jupiter. Didn't try the polar alignment, either.

First thoughts:

- I really liked the experience. Seeing the moons(?) was very nice. I just hoped that my sky was darker..

- We get what we pay... the EQ1 seems sturdy enough but the fittings on the telescope are no good. Just "breathing" to it made it move. I need a good mount when a buy a "real" one.

- The eyepieces that came are plastic-ish and I struggled to use the 10mm with the Barlow.   Maybe I need one with longer eye relief? 

- The focus system is barely usable in high magnification... Is there a point to upgrade it in the model? Is it even possible?

- I wish the 90º mirror was longer because using it on a table is not easy.

- Didn't really understand how to setup the spotter, calibrating and such. I will try again in daylight.

- Didn't had any problems using the EQ mount, but as I said, used it without alignment.

All in all was a good first experience, limited yes but very enjoyable. Looking forward to another clear sky night!

The obligatory snapshot taken from the eyepiece with the cellphone, no mounts or anything. 

 

Edited September 23, 2020 by pedromreis
typo

[Starwatcher2001]

First time with a scope, nails a planet and its moons and gets a photo. Not a bad start at all.

To set your finder scope up, point the main scope up at something a good few hundred yards away (chimney pot is a good choice). Then look through the finder and twiddle with the knobs until it points at the exact same place as the scope. As the mount seems a bit wobbly, this might take a few iterations. For extra points and accuracy, put a higher power eyepiece in and get it smack on again. That should make finding things at night a lot easier. If you can get away from that streetlight, that would improve things.

If you've got any clear sky during the day, the Moon's a cracking object to look at, and also handy for getting used to the scope.