Is there a good website out there that will show me how to properly align my mirrors? Also, what's the opinion about zoomable eyepieces? ++++++++++++++++++ Troy Davidson Am I working - http://www.istroyworking.com On Wed, Aug 19, 2009 at 12:49 PM, Chuck Hards<chuck.hards@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi Troy:
For most Messier objects, you will be using low powers. The 32mm is probably too low for most, the 9mm is too high for most.
I would recommend that you get some eypieces yielding magnifications in-between. 50X-100X is the range where you will be doing most of your deep-sky observing.
To determine what magnification any particular eyepiece will yield with your telescope, divide the telescope's focal length (in millimeters) by the eyepiece focal length (also in millimeters). This will give you the magnification of the combination.
Example: 2000mm telescope focal length, 20mm eyepiece focal length. 2000/20=100X.
Also make sure your telescope is collimated (optically aligned) properly.
On Wed, Aug 19, 2009 at 10:35 AM, Troy Davidson <clandaith@gmail.com> wrote:
Hello all,
I'm a relatively new person to the group. I recently (Feburary) bought an 8" dobsonian. I have a 9mm and a 32mm eyepiece.
When I take my telescope out to Skull Valley (pretty dark there) and look at Messier objects that are around 8 mag, I can hardly see them. All they look like are feint smudges. I have a hard time making out crisper objects. Also, all objects are just gray. There is no color to them. When I look at planets, I do see some color. I know that I won't get color like astro images, but I would expect some hints of color in these objects.
Could it be that the mirrors in my telescope need adjusting? Could I need better eyepieces? Is it just me being unrealistic?
My telescope is a Zhumell, and according to their site, http://www.zhumell.com/specialty/zhumell-telescopes-dobsonian.html, I should have a useful magnification up to 479X. I assume this is with a barlow or other magnifier added.
Any help would be great. Thanks.
++++++++++++++++++ Troy Davidson Am I working - http://www.istroyworking.com
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