Something obstructing view

[phantomgod_06]

I was trying to observe Venus through my telescope but something seems to be in the middle in the picture shown below. I am a beginner so it may be an amateur mistake. 

[phantomgod_06]

Although, when I observe the moon it is bright and clear 

 

[Albir phil]

From your image I would say you are using a reflector telescope the obstruction you see is the secondary mirror support ,also image looks out of focus 🤔

[phantomgod_06]

Oh I see, so what do I do to get the proper image?

 

[Cosmic Geoff]

6 hours ago, phantomgod_06 said:

Oh I see, so what do I do to get the proper image?

Focus the image.  And maybe reduce the exposure time.

[phantomgod_06]

Oh ok

[RT65CB-SWL]

Hi @phantomgod_06 and welcome to SGL. 

I am not into astro-imaging/photography at present, but if you could include what equipment, i.e. 'scope, camera, etc., you are using, then that would help. Some 'newtonians' tend to focus 'off the bat' others you have to do a little bit of tinkering or add an extension to the focus mechanism.

 

[Steve Ward]

I'd guess that there's a spacer/extension missing from the set-up somewhere , or one fitted that's not needed , for the image to be that far from focus .

Edited July 13, 2023 by Steve Ward

[phantomgod_06]

I used a 20mm erecting eyepiece and took the photo with my phone through the eyepiece 

[michael8554]

"I was trying to observe Venus through my telescope"

"Although, when I observe the moon it is bright and clear"

That suggest to me that if you didn't alter the focus after seeing a focused image of the moon.

And  looking through the eyepiece you saw a focused image of Venus.

Then did you alter the focus when you tried to take the image of Venus ?

If not then I can only guess you didn't have the phone positioned correctly.

Michael

[Steve Ward]

32 minutes ago, michael8554 said:

"I was trying to observe Venus through my telescope"

"Although, when I observe the moon it is bright and clear"

That suggest to me that if you didn't alter the focus after seeing a focused image of the moon.

And  looking through the eyepiece you saw a focused image of Venus.

Then did you alter the focus when you tried to take the image of Venus ?

If not then I can only guess you didn't have the phone positioned correctly.

Michael

Just switching from the Moon to Venus wouldn't throw the focus out by that much ... 😉

[phantomgod_06]

Yeah I did alter the focus but how much ever I tried it was still showing the vanes of the secondary mirror

 

[gajjer]

You probably need a spacer/extension piece between the eyepiece and the body of the scope. Try setting up in the day. Point at a chimney or aerial a few hundred yards away. You should be able to get focus. Then when you look at the moon or Venus, you shouldn't be that far off focus. The extension tube may need to be 5cm long.

Hope that helps

gaj

[Cornelius Varley]

@phantomgod_06 it might be helpful if you told us what telescope you have. The 20mm erecting eyepiece suggests the telescope is a Celestron power seeker.

 

[phantomgod_06]

Yes, its a powerseeker 127EQ

 

[phantomgod_06]

Oh ok I'll try focusing it on something during the day. Thanks!

 

[michael8554]

If you were able to focus on the Moon, then Venus should be in focus too.

But did you actually see detail on the moon, or was it a featureless blob ?

The scope should be able to focus an eyepiece that came with it, without needing to add any extensions.

The Moon and Venus are so far away that they can both be considered to be at "infinity".

Whereas a distant landmark will only get you close to "infinity" focus, but is a good starting point if correct focus is way out.

Then for best night time focus, start with the Moon if available, and then a star.

Michael

[phantomgod_06]

Yes, I could focus well on the moon and I could see a lot of details too. But when I focused on venus the secondary mirror vane is in the way

[mr_belowski]

focus it on the moon then leave the focuser alone and point it at Venus - surely that should just work?

[gajjer]

Can you send a photo of what your setup looks like. Something is really odd here. Perhaps a close up of how your lens connects to the body of the scope too.

cheers

gaj

[phantomgod_06]

That's what I thought too but it isn't focused and the secondary vane come whereas with the moon it doesn't obstruct 

 

[phantomgod_06]

Yeah sure,

[Cosmic Geoff]

You have still not told us what camera you are using.  If you are taking a photo through the eyepiece and the image is visually in focus, then the camera image should be roughly in focus. But if you are using a smartphone it may be trying to use its own autofocus & auto-exposure, and for all we know  it's trying to image the insides of your telescope.

A true image of Venus taken through this scope with a 20mm eyepiece will probably be on the small side. 

[phantomgod_06]

I used my phone camera, however much I tried to focus on my telescope the secondary vanes were visible that's the problem 

[Albir phil]

I think as already been said your mobil is focusing the inside of the tube, have you taken any images of the moon with your mobil,and if so did you get some surface detail