telescope forums? anyone know much about them?

timaishu

timaishu

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So I have a Sears Discoverer model# 6344 that was my dads. Did some searching and its probably from the 60-70's.

Anyways, I wanna really start using it and figuring it out. I also want to clean the lenses properly. As far as I know it has never been cleaned.

Anyone know of any good forums? I already found a few, but am looking for a recommendation.
 
No forums known of, But I can say I stepped out tonight and wish I had one! Saw a flashing "star" move and then disappeared - seems like a telescope would have allowed some insight on the mysterious light! No one looks up anymore - but I look up before down :dblthumb2:
 
I bet there are some astronomy or earth science forums

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2
 
The moon is very large right now. Thought it would be a great time to pull it out.
 
Same here flash.

I have always found it fascinating, I am taking an astronomy course at the local community college and I love it.

If my current plans fall thought, atleast I have a second interest as a backup.
 
I have a Celestron 8" SCT with GPS. Once it's aligned to 2 bright stars you just select what object you want to see in the handset and it slews right to it. Pretty sweet. I've thought about selling it because I don't use it much anymore, but I just can't seem to part with it.
 
Haven't used my telescope in quite some time, but you could try meade.com or celestron.com (both telescope manufacturers) . There may be some information to help you there. Or at least they may be able to guide you to a good forum.
Also, many cities have astronomy clubs - maybe try searching google with the name of your city and the word astronomy.
 
That's what I like about living out away from everything. No streetlights or any other light to block out the sky.
 
Go to the news stand and buy Astronomy Magazine. Also on-line at Astronomy Magazine - Interactive Star Charts, Planets, Meteors, Comets, Telescopes.

I have a Celestron 8 and have been observing for about 25 years.

As far as cleaning, a slightly dirty lens is much better than a scratched one so don't over clean. This is difficult for a detailer to accept, I know, but you can't polish out the damage you may cause so better safe than sorry. A little dirt won't make all that much difference optically. At the McDonald Observatory in Texas, a nut job fired three rounds into the main mirror. They just painted the holes black to stop light scatter and it works just fine. A little dirt on your telescope won't make all that much difference in your observing. A scratch, OTOH, will often scatter light and cause some flare.

If you must...For a good optical glass cleaner use 3 parts distilled water to 1 part IPA and a drop of biodegradable liquid dishwashing detergent. Use a new glass microfiber or lens tissue but be gentle as the optics are probably multicoated and you can damage them easier than you can swirl paint on a black car. Blow off the dust and use a lifting motion to remove any remaining crud, GENTLY.

Not familiar with your telescope. If is a reflector telescope (mirrors) then you may need to have them re-silvered as the mirrors degrade over a few years.
 
It is a reflector scope. I ended up cleaning it yesterday following this guide.

CLEANING EYEPIECE AND TELESCOPE OPTICS

Seemed to work well, not once did I hear any grinding, which I assume would indicate me grinding dirt into the lense. The final wipe down the the q-tips was deadsilent.

I observed the moon last night and I was kinda hard to focus on it. I couldnt make out any details at all. Was hoping for something really clear like you would see in a photograph.
 
The Moon was supposed to be as close to Earth last night as it ever gets. I got a few pics nothing spectacular.
 
I would look into getting a cover for your glass. My mom does photography and she has a cover that goes over the lense and it gets dirty and she cleans that. That way there is no way the actual lense can get scratched. I would maybe look into some photography fourms because those people are anal about how they clean and care for their stuff.

The moon last night was beyond amazing. I live in a party town and all the drunks were out last night with it being Cinco De Drinko, and I think the full moon made it worse lol. I had 2 people pee in my front yard and one girl get in a fight with her man because he didn't buy her a drink all night. She thought he was so rude but couldn't formulate the words/sentence to say that. It was just drunk babble haha. Oh how I love living by the beach.
 
Bad Astronomy . Com
Above top secret . Com is pretty wacko too
 
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timaishu said:
It is a reflector scope. I ended up cleaning it yesterday following this guide.

CLEANING EYEPIECE AND TELESCOPE OPTICS

Seemed to work well, not once did I hear any grinding, which I assume would indicate me grinding dirt into the lense. The final wipe down the the q-tips was deadsilent.

I observed the moon last night and I was kinda hard to focus on it. I couldnt make out any details at all. Was hoping for something really clear like you would see in a photograph.
Click to expand...


While the moon is an easy object most anytime, it is best served, IMO, during it's phases as then you can see the rills and craters in relief with a lot of shadow detail and contrast.

For example:
web.jpg


In this photo you can see Tycho, a large impact crater in the southern highlands (lower right), with the rays of debris that was ejected stretching for almost 1,000 miles.

Every night the images of the moon change as the sun angle and our viewing angle change.

Another interesting subject right now is our sun. If you acquire a solar filter for your telescope, you can safely view the sun. The sun is now running up on a new sunspot maximum and these are quite interesting to observe. Caution: be sure to use a safe solar filter and that it is secured to your telescope firmly. Don't trust an eyepiece filter that screws on to an eyepiece as they can crack from the heat. Get a full aperture cover for the telescope.

Here is a photo of some sunspots:
web.jpg
 
Impressive photos!

Living in 'the country', it is amazing what you can see with a naked eye by just looking up...especially in the winter.

Bill
 
jfelbab said:
While the moon is an easy object most anytime, it is best served, IMO, during it's phases as then you can see the rills and craters in relief with a lot of shadow detail and contrast.

For example:
web.jpg


In this photo you can see Tycho, a large impact crater in the southern highlands (lower right), with the rays of debris that was ejected stretching for almost 1,000 miles.

Every night the images of the moon change as the sun angle and our viewing angle change.

Another interesting subject right now is our sun. If you acquire a solar filter for your telescope, you can safely view the sun. The sun is now running up on a new sunspot maximum and these are quite interesting to observe. Caution: be sure to use a safe solar filter and that it is secured to your telescope firmly. Don't trust an eyepiece filter that screws on to an eyepiece as they can crack from the heat. Get a full aperture cover for the telescope.

Here is a photo of some sunspots:
web.jpg
Click to expand...

Good stuff. I am taking an astronomy course right now and thats what got my interest to bust out the scope

Ill check the moon in a few days during its waning gibbous phase then. And my scope DOES come with one of those screw on sun filters. It screws onto the bottom of the eye pieces. It has never been used to my knowledge. So it is unsafe to use?

Just thought I would share, I took a look at venus last night and it was in a crescent phase, very cool.
 
timaishu said:
...And my scope DOES come with one of those screw on sun filters. It screws onto the bottom of the eye pieces. It has never been used to my knowledge. So it is unsafe to use?...
Click to expand...

There have been several cases of those glass eyepiece filters breaking due to the heat. If it breaks the suns magnified intensity could blind you permanently in a second. I'd toss that filter immediately. Inexpensive aluminized mylar full aperture filters are safe and effective. They go over the end of your telescope. If you use this method be sure to cover your finder scope or you could get some nasty burns.

You might also look around and see if there is a local astronomy club in your area. These guys usually always can help with your observing and could provide help for your astronomy course as well. These clubs usually have viewing events open to the public during the warmer months. Ask at the university.

The night sky is really quite interesting and entertaining to view. Saturn with it's rings and Jupiter with its giant red spot and many moons, are just a couple you may find easy subjects.
Astronomy Magazine will give you star charts to help in finding objects plus tips on what is currently observable.

There are a few great on-line sites as well. If you like to see what is currently going on with our Sun try visiting this site: SOHO Real Time MPEG Movies
 
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