Tips on eyes...

[northeastsurfing]

Hello, I am new here and wanted some tips. With all the things going on I have no money for the most part and love astronomy. I been using an older version of this scope here for years, http://www.tasco.com/single.cfm?s=Telescopes&family=Spacestation&product=49114900

It still works great, I have only a 20mm, and 9mm, eye pieces. I only use the scope to view the planets, and moon. I live just south of Boston and find it hard to get real dark skys with out driving hours.

Tonight I watched Jupiter for a while, in my 20mm eye, I can see Jupiter very clear, it is only a dot, and can barley see the colors across it. I got to see three of the moons as well. In the 9mm eye the dot is larger of course, I can get it pretty clear for the most part, just not as clear as the 20mm. I have taken the scope apart and cleaned not too long ago.

My questions is on a low budget is there a way to be able to really see Jupiter larger and clearer with this size scope. I am not using any other attachments to the scope besides the eye peices. Any tips would be great.
Also is there a way to hook my camcorder up to the scope? Ronnie Lees.

[Siguy]

How did you clean the mirrors? Conventional methods will destroy the coating on normal telescope mirrors. Hopefully you only brushed the dust off of it, right?

Well, anyway, Tasco telescopes are usually considered "bottom-of-the line", but in recent years they've improved and I'm sure their 114mm f/8 reflectors are decent. At that focal ratio, even a poor mirror will be diffraction limited (acceptable performance.)

You certainly aren't over-magnifying with a 9mm. That gives 100x, and the theoretical limit of your scope is around 200-250x depending on conditions. (to find magnification, divide focal length by eyepiece focal length) The 20mm gives 45x, which is hardly a planetary magnification, so I can see why it's unsatisfying.

I think your problem is that you're using a poor quality Huygens or Symmetrical Ramsden eyepieces. These are outdated designs that give poor images compared to more modern designs.

Try picking up a few 1.25'' Plossl or Kellner eyepieces. They will give improved clarity for all magnifications. I suggest a 25mm as your widest field for star clusters and nebulae, and a 6mm as your planetary eyepiece. Don't use anything shorter than 4mm, as you will over magnify the image.

I actually have a 9mm Meade Modified Achromat eyepiece that I don't need and could be a great replacement for your 9mm. I'd be willing to sell it to you cheap, PM me about it if you're interested.

What is your camcorder model? I'm sure there are adapters for it.

[northeastsurfing]

Thanks for the reply I am using a 9mm Meade, about 8 years old. My 4mm dose not work, it was cheap and is about 10 years old. Makes viewing blurry. My 9mm seams the best for planets, pretty clear. Trying to make the planet larger and keep it clear for the most part. Maybe I will pm you for the 9mm. Or maybe look for a 6mm that is new. Ron

[Mr Q]

Hello, I am new here and wanted some tips. With all the things going on I have no money for the most part and love astronomy. I been using an older version of this scope here for years, http://www.tasco.com/single.cfm?s=Telescopes&family=Spacestation&product=49114900

It still works great, I have only a 20mm, and 9mm, eye pieces. I only use the scope to view the planets, and moon. I live just south of Boston and find it hard to get real dark skys with out driving hours.

Tonight I watched Jupiter for a while, in my 20mm eye, I can see Jupiter very clear, it is only a dot, and can barley see the colors across it. I got to see three of the moons as well. In the 9mm eye the dot is larger of course, I can get it pretty clear for the most part, just not as clear as the 20mm. I have taken the scope apart and cleaned not too long ago.



My questions is on a low budget is there a way to be able to really see Jupiter larger and clearer with this size scope. I am not using any other attachments to the scope besides the eye peices. Any tips would be great.
Also is there a way to hook my camcorder up to the scope? Ronnie Lees.

Hi northeastsurfing and welcome to the forums. My guess is to try some different, higher quality eyepieces. I just moved from Stoughton a year ago and used to drive an hour to Myles Standish State Forest for nice dark skies. Wondering where abouts you are at? Mr Q

[Siguy]

Thanks for the reply I am using a 9mm Meade, about 8 years old. My 4mm dose not work, it was cheap and is about 10 years old. Makes viewing blurry. My 9mm seams the best for planets, pretty clear. Trying to make the planet larger and keep it clear for the most part. Maybe I will pm you for the 9mm. Or maybe look for a 6mm that is new. Ron

If it's an old Meade, it is probably internally identical to my MA9mm. I don't think your eyepieces are the problem. If you want to make it bigger, than a 6mm is certainly a good choice.

I think your problem is in your scope. Is your scope collimated properly? That could set it off.