New Telescope....but need help....quite a bit of help.
Discussion
So, Mrs C bought me this for my birthday... the one on the right.
http://www.ursa.fi/fileadmin/ursa2010/kuvat/kirjak...
Any idea how to use it? The guy she bought it off suggested that we need to download some software? I don'tr even know the model number, so little chance of doing that.
In addition, on page 6 of the manual, there is a fig.d-2 which shows a box type thing with an on/off switch...I don't have this so hoping it's for another model as the manual seems a generic.
So, any 'pointers' before it gets put in the loft?
Many thanks.
http://www.ursa.fi/fileadmin/ursa2010/kuvat/kirjak...
Any idea how to use it? The guy she bought it off suggested that we need to download some software? I don'tr even know the model number, so little chance of doing that.
In addition, on page 6 of the manual, there is a fig.d-2 which shows a box type thing with an on/off switch...I don't have this so hoping it's for another model as the manual seems a generic.
So, any 'pointers' before it gets put in the loft?
Many thanks.
I agree the manual looks generic, so you may not need the "box" If you don't need it the manual suggests the handset plugs directly into your mount- does it?
I assume you've fully assembled the scope and mount and powered it up? If it doesn't work I'd be talking to the seller- if it works then I'd have a crack at the setup on page 8, its long winded but all the information required is easy to get for your back garden, its abit of a chore the first time admittedly.
Automatic telescopes are great "once setup", but sometimes a manual scope is nice as the setuptime is seconds- Good luck, don't shelve it staight away :-)
Make sure you take it outside 30min before you want to use it (so it cools down) and practice using the handset and get all the info required together in advance- if you get truly stuck contact your local Astronomical society, maybe one of their member can give you some hands on assitance?
I assume you've fully assembled the scope and mount and powered it up? If it doesn't work I'd be talking to the seller- if it works then I'd have a crack at the setup on page 8, its long winded but all the information required is easy to get for your back garden, its abit of a chore the first time admittedly.
Automatic telescopes are great "once setup", but sometimes a manual scope is nice as the setuptime is seconds- Good luck, don't shelve it staight away :-)
Make sure you take it outside 30min before you want to use it (so it cools down) and practice using the handset and get all the info required together in advance- if you get truly stuck contact your local Astronomical society, maybe one of their member can give you some hands on assitance?
scubadude said:
I agree the manual looks generic, so you may not need the "box" If you don't need it the manual suggests the handset plugs directly into your mount- does it?
I assume you've fully assembled the scope and mount and powered it up? If it doesn't work I'd be talking to the seller- if it works then I'd have a crack at the setup on page 8, its long winded but all the information required is easy to get for your back garden, its abit of a chore the first time admittedly.
Automatic telescopes are great "once setup", but sometimes a manual scope is nice as the setuptime is seconds- Good luck, don't shelve it staight away :-)
Make sure you take it outside 30min before you want to use it (so it cools down) and practice using the handset and get all the info required together in advance- if you get truly stuck contact your local Astronomical society, maybe one of their member can give you some hands on assitance?
Thanks mate, it's appreciated.I assume you've fully assembled the scope and mount and powered it up? If it doesn't work I'd be talking to the seller- if it works then I'd have a crack at the setup on page 8, its long winded but all the information required is easy to get for your back garden, its abit of a chore the first time admittedly.
Automatic telescopes are great "once setup", but sometimes a manual scope is nice as the setuptime is seconds- Good luck, don't shelve it staight away :-)
Make sure you take it outside 30min before you want to use it (so it cools down) and practice using the handset and get all the info required together in advance- if you get truly stuck contact your local Astronomical society, maybe one of their member can give you some hands on assitance?
Yes, it seems the mount has a plug, so guess this is for the handset....no idea why though! everything was set-up when I got it (ebay purchase) but I understand that I need to download some software onto my laptop? Dies that sound right?
To be honest, I don't use the GOTO features of mine that much when looking at planets.
It's quite hard (for me) to get an exact alignment and I find it much easier just to move the scope into position by just looking through the view finder.
The Sky at Night website will tell you what is worth looking at this month. Personally I find looking at stars a little boring after a while as they all look the same to me.
It's quite addictive as a hobby and can get very expensive. There are loads of websites that will give you a better introduction than I can.
Just don't look at the Sun during the day!
It's quite hard (for me) to get an exact alignment and I find it much easier just to move the scope into position by just looking through the view finder.
The Sky at Night website will tell you what is worth looking at this month. Personally I find looking at stars a little boring after a while as they all look the same to me.
It's quite addictive as a hobby and can get very expensive. There are loads of websites that will give you a better introduction than I can.
Just don't look at the Sun during the day!
Funny as I was looking up at the sky and saw a bright sky. Excellent, a target! 30 seconds later I had it in view....yep, exactly the same as with the naked eye, only slightly bigger! Even the bloody moon decided to have a night off last night too...Let's hope it's back tonight.
Right, so I need a local map of the sky and a compass.
Right, so I need a local map of the sky and a compass.
Many thanks. This thing looks quite good! I've managed to plug it in and all I need to complete the set-up is my location; I can get that off the net. It seems that it has a motor and all I have to do is type in what I want to see and the thing moves on it's on andfinds it! How good is that?! My only issue is that I have to do some kind of star alignment which seems to require some knowledge of the stars. I'll cross that bridge tomorrow.
So, tomorrow I'll be setting it up on the roof.
Thanks stain.
So, tomorrow I'll be setting it up on the roof.
Thanks stain.
A word of warning about using the telescope on a roof.
You get a lot of warm air currents from buildings, these will mess up a stable view. Being directly on top of a building really isn't going to help you. If you can get away from a built up area you'll have a much better time with your scope.
You get a lot of warm air currents from buildings, these will mess up a stable view. Being directly on top of a building really isn't going to help you. If you can get away from a built up area you'll have a much better time with your scope.
nellyleelephant said:
A word of warning about using the telescope on a roof.
You get a lot of warm air currents from buildings, these will mess up a stable view. Being directly on top of a building really isn't going to help you. If you can get away from a built up area you'll have a much better time with your scope.
Hiya mate,You get a lot of warm air currents from buildings, these will mess up a stable view. Being directly on top of a building really isn't going to help you. If you can get away from a built up area you'll have a much better time with your scope.
I live in Dubai so getting away from the heat is gonna be difficult! We live on the outskirts of a new development, so there is very little light around here.
Also, I assumed that I had to have the scope plugged into the mains? Could get a plug for the car I guess.
Eric Mc said:
Don't worry - it'll be back.
Ah, but how do we KNOW that. I mean, we expect it...we'd put money on it....but do we really KNOW it??!!I'm genuinely excited about getting home tonight now that I have my location co-ordinates. Up on the roof, plug it in, a few beers and see what's what.
It hasn't missed an appointment in about 4 billion years - so it's quite reliable and my prediction is pretty certain to come true.
Of course, something could happen to the moon and destroy it before it reappears in your night sky in a week or so. Nothing is 100% certain. But science hardly ever deals with 100% certainty - especially when dealing with predictions (unless you are a Man Made Global Warming scientist - of course).
If you are really concerned that it WON'T be around in a week or so - you could always get up a bit early to have a look at it in the early morning.
Of course, something could happen to the moon and destroy it before it reappears in your night sky in a week or so. Nothing is 100% certain. But science hardly ever deals with 100% certainty - especially when dealing with predictions (unless you are a Man Made Global Warming scientist - of course).
If you are really concerned that it WON'T be around in a week or so - you could always get up a bit early to have a look at it in the early morning.
Chilli said:
Ah, but how do we KNOW that. I mean, we expect it...we'd put money on it....but do we really KNOW it??!!
I'm genuinely excited about getting home tonight now that I have my location co-ordinates. Up on the roof, plug it in, a few beers and see what's what.
Don't forget to give youe eyes a chance to get used to the dark, for the first few minutes your eyes won't be accustomed to the dark and you may find the views a bit of a let down!I'm genuinely excited about getting home tonight now that I have my location co-ordinates. Up on the roof, plug it in, a few beers and see what's what.
A couple of suggestions for things to look at.
The Andromeda Galaxy (M31) should be visible shortly after sunset. If you have dark skies, you might even be able to see it with the naked eye. It won't look very interesting until to consider that it consists of 1 trillion stars and is hurtling towards us at over 200,000 miles per hour. Nevertheless, it won't collide with the Milky Way for 4.5 billion years, by which time the Earth may have been gobbled up by our own Sun.
By 10 o'clock the Perseus Double Cluster (NGC869 and NGC884) should be in view. This, IMHO, is one of the most beautiful objects that you can see through the eyepiece. One of them looks like a diamond ring to me.
Jupiter and 4 of its moons should be visible by about 11:00.
Don
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The Andromeda Galaxy (M31) should be visible shortly after sunset. If you have dark skies, you might even be able to see it with the naked eye. It won't look very interesting until to consider that it consists of 1 trillion stars and is hurtling towards us at over 200,000 miles per hour. Nevertheless, it won't collide with the Milky Way for 4.5 billion years, by which time the Earth may have been gobbled up by our own Sun.
By 10 o'clock the Perseus Double Cluster (NGC869 and NGC884) should be in view. This, IMHO, is one of the most beautiful objects that you can see through the eyepiece. One of them looks like a diamond ring to me.
Jupiter and 4 of its moons should be visible by about 11:00.
Don
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