Newbie need help to start

For people new to astronomy who want to ask those questions that they were afraid to ask. Receive helpful answers here.
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Noop
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Joined: Sun Jul 17, 2016 2:53 pm
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Newbie need help to start

Post by Noop »

Hi All,

I'm new to the hobby after several years of interest. Recently got myself a XLT 150. I tried looking at the moon but view looks blurred even after focusing. Currently using the stock 25mm eyepiece. Is there something amiss? or some equipment i need?

Thanks in Advance.
Noop
Hardwarezone
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Joined: Fri May 17, 2013 2:50 am
Favourite scope: maksutov

Re: Newbie need help to start

Post by Hardwarezone »

Likely the mirrors are not aligned (collimated)

Another tip is use a clothespeg on the focuser wheel for fine control, credits to eric63
http://www.cloudynights.com/topic/54139 ... ?p=7298426
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antares2063
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Location: Bedok North Street 2, Singapore

Re: Newbie need help to start

Post by antares2063 »

This is a very rough way of gauging but, take out the eyepiece from your scope in the day time, look down the focuser and see if your secdonary mirror silhouette is in the middle with the 4 vanes roughly equal length.

Also , u can take a look at this:

http://www.astro-baby.com/collimation/a ... 0guide.htm

Regards
Junwei
I miss the place where stars shine bright, to gaze upwards in awe of the sight
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Airconvent
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Re: Newbie need help to start

Post by Airconvent »

Guys, for such a short focal length, the scope must be way out of collimation to show a blurred moon with a 25mm eyepiece. Am I wrong?

Noop, did you buy this brand new ? Did you colliminate the scope as per the instructions in the manual? Is everything installed as per what the manual shows ? Have you tried checking it out in the day time on a terrestrial object ? (Image would likely be upside down, so that's normal).
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Noop
Posts: 12
Joined: Sun Jul 17, 2016 2:53 pm
Favourite scope: Beginner's scope

Re: Newbie need help to start

Post by Noop »

Thanks all for the reply!
I bought this second hand, and everything was pre installed.
I believe it needs collimation.
In the daytime I tried looking at terrestrial objects, it focuses on objects about 15 metre clearly.
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antares2063
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Location: Bedok North Street 2, Singapore

Re: Newbie need help to start

Post by antares2063 »

ok, try your best to tweak it. For solid tube newtonians, 95% of the time its always only the primary that needs adjusting.

and welcome to the hobby..haha

regards
Junwei
I miss the place where stars shine bright, to gaze upwards in awe of the sight
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