I got my telescope

[atticus808]

it's an Antares 1149 reflector<br />the setup of the tripod was pretty confusing at first since it's my first time but then it got really easy<br />and there were NO instructions on how to set it up<br />except for explaining a cable<br />and there were a few diagrams of the set up<br />i can't wait to take it out to observe but it's snowing here<br />is it ok to use it when there's snow outside but it's not snowing?

 

[tfwthom]

You can take it out with snow on the ground. <br /><br />BUT you know that it's going to be weeks before you can use the scope. New equipment comes with clouds in the box that escape and cover the sky. Takes weeks for then to leave....unless someone a few states over gets something to draw them away. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1" color="#3366ff">www.siriuslookers.org</font> </div>

 

[nevers]

HA HA HA HA HAAA HA...dang, it's been a while since I heard those words and I just had to laugh. Congrats Atticus...good job, I can't wait to hear your "First Light" report!

 

[atticus808]

you know<br />the skies were pretty clear until i got home

 

[atticus808]

for the wide angle view, how am i supposed to look through it since there is no rubber thing for me to put my eye?<br />it's like a flat surface with the lens in the middle for me to stick my eyeball on<br />oh, and as i was looknig through my eyepeice, i think i saw a satellite<br />now i think i'm viewing a comet or something<br />it moves out of the centre of the telescope fairly quickly and it seems long<br />it looks about 3mm long in my telescope

 

[nevers]

Some eyepieces come without the guard - you can order them seperately at Orion - they're not very much. You just gotta get close without touching the glass. I'm not sure about any big comets out, I've been out of the "observing loop" for a while but I guess it's certainly possible. Glad to hear you got some clear skies!

 

[atticus808]

the skies were clear for a little bit<br />and i viewed it out my window so i wonder what it will look like at a not so light polluted field

 

[nevers]

That's cool, but just to let ya know - when you view with the telescope indoors and sticking out a window, the warmer air escaping to outside can give you unclear views and it's hard for the telescopes mirror to adjust to a steady temperature. Not to worry, I've done it a time or two...<img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" />

 

[atticus808]

thanks<br />i know it won't give me clear views but it is sooooo cold outside<br />and snowy

 

[atticus808]

i'm really not sure what constellation since i'm looking through my window and above my neighbors roof<br />if the sky is clear tonight (looks pretty clear right now), i'll try to find out for you<br />i'm sure it's not my focusing because the other stars around it were round<br />this one was long

 

[atticus808]

ok<br />maybe it was all the distortion that made it long<br />but i have a problem with aligning my finderscope and telescope<br />after adjusting the finder scope by moving it back and forth while it's in the holder, (it has 2 screws and the spring screw to pull and adjust the finderscope) i put tighten the other 2 screws, but as i do this, it moves the finder scope so it's off by a lot<br />so what's the proper way of adjusting it?

 

[averygoodspirit]

Atticus808:<br /><br />Congratulations on your new telescope and first light Atticus.<br /><br />It looks like NEAT (C2001 Q4) is the brightest comet right now with an apparent magnitude of 16.37. It’s in Cassiopeia .963 au from the Earth. You wouldn't be able to see that with your telescope.<br /><br />You will have an ongoing battle with your finder scope. Tighten your screws down, line your telescope up on a bright star, preferably Polaris the North Star, since it won't move that much. Then once you have it set, don't touch your finder scope. Its 3 screw mount isn't very stable. The slightest touch can move it off center. Once it is set, it should get you to within a half a degree (the width of the full moon) of any object you want to see. <br /><br />There are over 7,000 satellites in orbit around the Earth and we launch about eighty more each year. What you saw was probably an iridium communications satellite. There are quite a few of them. They have mirrored surfaces so they can reflect quite a bit of sunlight. At the right angle of view, they will occasionally make what appear as spikes of light. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[atticus808]

thank you<br />http://www.telescopes.com/products/Celestron_Finderscope_6x30_Erect_Image_wbracket_21279.html<br />it's one of those holders<br />the problem is i can't adjust it<br />i aim the telescope at something, then i adjust my finder scope<br />but after i adjust it and start tightening the screws, the screws push it so it goes off where i pointed it

 

[averygoodspirit]

Yeah! I know what type of finder scope mount it is. I had one on my first telescope. You just have to tighten down, (finger tight) the screws in such a way that your cross hairs are close to the object your telescope is focused on. Line your telescope up on the star, and then move the finder scope inside the mount with a gentle pressure. The screws will allow a little final adjustment , but you will need to realign it every time you use it because inevitably it will get knocked out of alignment as you move your telescope around from place to place. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[atticus808]

thank you<br />i guess i gotta forget about scratching the finder scope<br />even though there's a little<br />what a crappy mount<br /><br />

 

[atticus808]

yeah i got a book ccalled "Astronomy, The Definitive Guide"<br />there's some information about telescopes but not a whole lot<br />

 

[tplank]

Just thought I would share that my Son's XT6 arrived yesterday. I'm fighting the temptation to set it up, but Christmas must be respected. {sigh} Anyway, thanks to all of those who guided my selection. Thus far the Orion customer service has exceeded expectations. I'll be back in a few weeks with a First Light report. If not sooner with one dumb question or another. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>The Disenfranchised Curmudgeon</p><p>http://tonyplank.blogspot.com/ </p> </div>

 

[atticus808]

nice<br />you have a looooooooooong ways to go till you get to set it up<br />maybe you should treat yourself to your own telescope <br />did it arrive at your doorstep and was it just left there?<br />or did you go pick it up?

 

[tplank]

It was shipped FedEx ground and was just sitting on the porch.<br /><br />It is a bit of a combined Christmas present...a Father and Son thing. :-D<br /><br />BTW, I have been studying hard and thanks to the cooler weather, but stargazing woes have lessened some. I'm starting to find stuff in the sky better. The advice to first go out with the binoculars is not just sound: it is essential. I wish somebody had told me how effective binoculars were thirty years ago. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>The Disenfranchised Curmudgeon</p><p>http://tonyplank.blogspot.com/ </p> </div>