The Meade LightBridge 10" Truss-Tube Dobsonian Deluxe takes stargazing to a whole new level with its state-of-the-art portable design that features a 1,270mm focal length and f/5 focal ratio with a 254mm clear aperture...
Aperture: 12-Inch. Focal Length: 1524mm. Focal Ratio: f/5. It's not just a big telescope. It's a big telescope that goes anywhere. New LightBridge truss-Dobs from Meade take down and set up quickly. So you can take one of these massive windows on the universe out to your favorite dark sky locations with ease...
Take this oversized scope anywhere. Lightweight aluminum trusses make take down and set up a breeze. Truss-Tube Dobsonian "go anywhere" constructionOutstanding optics – the diffraction limited optics for which Meade is famousNewtonian reflector optical designTakes down and sets up quickly for easy portabilityMeade optical coatings – aluminum with magnesium fluoride overcoat2" Crayford-style machined aluminum focuser with 1...
Celestron Newtonian Telescope I need help with a new telescope?
I just bought a Celestron Powerseeker 114 AZ telescope. This is my first telescope. I just recently set it up. I followed the instructions exactly, however when I attempt to use it, I see nothing... just blackness. Does anyone know what I could possibly doing wrong? Is it a defect in the telescope? Is it me? Any help would be appreciated. Also, I believe it is a Newtonian telescope, if that helps in any way. Thanks!
Well, ..., 1st make sure the dust cap is off of the the front (main opening of the scope) of the scope. Then, you should definitely try to use it during the daytime first. Getting use to pointing the scope at daytime objects and finding them is a key skill to helping you find nighttime objects (when the light is much less than it is in the day). I'm attaching a link to some articles that will help you understand your telescope as well as learn how to use it. Finally, I suggest that you use the following procedure for setting your scope up. It will help you get started on the right foot.
1) During the Daytime, point the scope at the top of a far away light pole or flag pole. BTW, NEVER, point your scope or finder scope at the Sun without covering the front ends of both with an approved solar filter. Severe irreparable blindness or injury can result from such an action.
2) Make sure the lens caps are off of the red-dot finder scope and main optical tube assembly (main scope or OTA).
3) Insert the eyepiece with the highest number written on it. e.g. 20mm, etc.
4) Turn the focus knob all the way in one direction until it stops (cannot be turned any more).
5) While looking in the main scope, attempt to focus the scope on the top of the flag or light pole by slowly turning the focus knob all the way in the opposite direction (see step 4). At some point a image that is upside down and reversed should appear (don't worry this will be the correct image for your scope).
6) Now with out moving the scope turn the red-dot finder on and look through the red-dot finder scope. Adjust the red-dot finder such that the red dot is centered on the same thing your main scope is looking at. Now the scope is ready for pointing at objects.
7) To verify this point the finder scope at another object like another flag pole top. Once the cross-hairs are centered on the object the same object (only larger) will be in the main Field of View (FOV) in your telescope. Then at night try finding Jupiter or the moon first in the finder scope. Since you've already "aligned" your red-dot finder wiht the main scope you can be sure that the object (Jupiter or the moon) is in the field of view of your main scope but out of focus, So, all you have to do is adjust the focus until the image "snaps" into view. BTW, just as in the previous steps, start off with the eyepiece with the highest number on in e.g. 20mm (lower magnification) then once the object is focused, move down to the lower numbers e.g. 4mm (higher magnification)
9) You call always download a free planetarium program e.g. stellarium (www.stellarium.org) to help you figure out where Jupiter will be in the night sky for your location
BTW, that 4mm eyepiece looks really tiny. So stick with the 20mm and use the 3x barlow lense to triple your magnification.
If you're looking for an affordable entry-level telescope for that beginning astronomy enthusiast, our SpaceProbe 3 Altaz is the perfect choice. Great for all-around stargazing, this highly portable, uncomplicated scope is just the right size and weight for the entire family, and just the right price for parents...
Orion StarBlast 4.5 Astro Reflector TelescopeLaunch a lifetime of stargazing with this compact, ready-to-use telescopeTop-notch optics show you the moon, the planets, the stars and moreScope comes fully assembled so you can go from box to backyard in minutesHigh-quality optics, point-and-view ease of use, remarkable portability, all for less than $200Your ticket to space-tourism without the zero-G nauseaMaybe it's because many of us started out with those frustrating little department store refractors, but at Orion we strive to offer quality telescopes for beginners that are easy to use and will inspire their natural inclination to explore...
This telescope is perfect for backyard astronomy enthusiasts or older children with space on the brain. Simply align the telescope with the North Star, choose the object you want to see on the handheld controller and the computerized mount does the rest...
In 1609, world-renowned Italian scientist, Galileo Galilei, introduced an elementary telescope to the growing astronomy community, which sparked interest into the mysterious night sky for centuries to come...
CES1071 Features: -Telescope. -PowerSeeker collection. -Color: Black. -Material: Aluminum. -127 mm (5'') Newtonian reflector. -3x Barlow lens triples the magnifying power of each eyepiece. -Quick and easy no-tool setup...
Orion(r) SkyQuest(TM) XT Classic Dobsonians It's no wonder customers heap 5-star ratings on these gentle giants. For not only do their jumbo-sized optics and uncomplicated design bring a "new level of joy to simple observing," raved Astronomy magazine, but they're also the most affordable quality Dobs on the market...
Celestron Newtonian Telescope Which eyepiece for Celestron 130?
I have recently bought a Celestron Newtonian 130mm telescope with two eyepieces; one 20mm erecting eyepiece and one 10mm non-erecting. Should I buy another and what is the rule of thumb for eyepieces so that I am able to see more detail in planets and nebulae?
The 130 has a 650 mm focal length.
Your 10 mm eyepiece is 650 / 10 = 65x.
Your 20 mm eyepiece is 650 / 20 = 32x.
Even if your optics aren't very good, a 130 mm aperture scope should support 130x. That would be good for planets.
650 / 130 = 5 mm
Though there are 5 mm eyepieces out there, i'm not fond of them. YMMV.
You could get a 2x barlow, and your 10 mm eyepiece would give you 130x. That's what i'd do.
Some would say that the rule is 2x of magnification for each mm of aperture. In that case, they'd suggest getting a 5 mm eyepiece and a 2x barlow. You'd want the barlow either way.
My advice is this. If at all possible, try before you buy. Part of the optical path is your eyeball. If you can try a 5 mm eyepiece in your scope with your eyeball, and it works, go for it. So far, when i've ignored this rule, i've batted zero. It's not due to poor workmanship. It's high grade stuff, not designed for my eyes.
In 1609, world-renowned Italian scientist, Galileo Galilei, introduced an elementary telescope to the growing astronomy community, which sparked interest into the mysterious night sky for centuries to come...
CES1071 Features: -Telescope. -PowerSeeker collection. -Color: Black. -Material: Aluminum. -127 mm (5'') Newtonian reflector. -3x Barlow lens triples the magnifying power of each eyepiece. -Quick and easy no-tool setup...
If you're looking for an affordable entry-level telescope for that beginning astronomy enthusiast, our SpaceProbe 3 Altaz is the perfect choice. Great for all-around stargazing, this highly portable, uncomplicated scope is just the right size and weight for the entire family, and just the right price for parents...
Orion StarBlast 4.5 Astro Reflector TelescopeLaunch a lifetime of stargazing with this compact, ready-to-use telescopeTop-notch optics show you the moon, the planets, the stars and moreScope comes fully assembled so you can go from box to backyard in minutesHigh-quality optics, point-and-view ease of use, remarkable portability, all for less than $200Your ticket to space-tourism without the zero-G nauseaMaybe it's because many of us started out with those frustrating little department store refractors, but at Orion we strive to offer quality telescopes for beginners that are easy to use and will inspire their natural inclination to explore...
This telescope is perfect for backyard astronomy enthusiasts or older children with space on the brain. Simply align the telescope with the North Star, choose the object you want to see on the handheld controller and the computerized mount does the rest...
Orion(r) SkyQuest(TM) XT Classic Dobsonians It's no wonder customers heap 5-star ratings on these gentle giants. For not only do their jumbo-sized optics and uncomplicated design bring a "new level of joy to simple observing," raved Astronomy magazine, but they're also the most affordable quality Dobs on the market...
Collimating a Newtonian Telescope
Having problems with my new telescope???
I just bought a celestron 114 telescope. Its a newtonian relector. Whenever i try looking at a star, all i can see it a reflection of the inner part of the telescope...it appears as a circle which is the shadow of the small mirror coming down from the eye piece. Any ideas how to adjust to solve problem....thanks
Go onto sky and telescope web site - your telescope needs setting up correctly - I remember how disappointed I was when I first got mine - with a bit if practice you will know what to do. Also in the future remember to put your telescope outside at least an hour before you use it as the temperature drop will affect your viewing
When the original ETX telescope, the ETX-90RA, was introduced in 1996, it quickly created a revolution in amateur astronomy. Here for the first time was an ultraportable and highly versatile telescope system of unprecedented optical resolution and performance...
The Meade ETX-125PE ETX Premier Edition Telescope eliminates the two biggest challenges of stargazers, aligning their telescopes and finding objects. Now, enjoying million year old stars doesn't take a million years to find it...
I would really like to purchase a barlow lens, one that will increase the magnification of celestial objects such as planets but still retain my telescope's quality and detailed image.
All help is highly appreciated, and thank you i advance
The best Barlow lenses are the "Powermates" made by Tele Vue, but these are expensive. Second best are Tele Vue's regular Barlows. Next best is the Barlow lens imported by various companies under various names: Celestron Ultrascopic, Orion Shorty Plus, Antares UB2SD.
Nowadays I rarely recommend Barlows except for specialized uses like planetary imaging, which is the only time I use them myself. I've found that myself and other experienced amateurs almost never use Barlows, preferring instead modern high eye relief eyepieces with built in Barlows, such as Tele Vue Radians, Orion Edge-On Planetaries, Baader Hyperions and similar designs. For your scope a 6mm or 5mm eyepiece would be what I would recommend.
In 1609, world-renowned Italian scientist, Galileo Galilei, introduced an elementary telescope to the growing astronomy community, which sparked interest into the mysterious night sky for centuries to come...
A powerful and capable telescope, the Orion SkyQuest XT8 Classic Dobsonian is one of our most popular reflectors due to its elegant combination of precision optics, mechanical simplicity, and rock-solid stability...
The easiest way to aim a telescope. The view seen through the window of the Telrad is continuous with the sky around it, not magnified or upside down. Three rings are lighted and appear to lie among the stars...
Orion's SkyQuest XT8i Intelliscope Dobsonian Computerized Telescope combines powerful 203mm-diameter reflector optics with point-and-view simplicity in a nicely portable package. With the included IntelliScope Computerized Object Locator, the amateur stargazer can pinpoint the location of 14,000+ celestial wonders stored in the IntelliScope's databank...
Orion StarBlast 4.5 Astro Reflector TelescopeLaunch a lifetime of stargazing with this compact, ready-to-use telescopeTop-notch optics show you the moon, the planets, the stars and moreScope comes fully assembled so you can go from box to backyard in minutesHigh-quality optics, point-and-view ease of use, remarkable portability, all for less than $200Your ticket to space-tourism without the zero-G nauseaMaybe it's because many of us started out with those frustrating little department store refractors, but at Orion we strive to offer quality telescopes for beginners that are easy to use and will inspire their natural inclination to explore...
This remarkable scope combines powerful 150mm-diameter reflector optics with point-and-view simplicity in one nicely portable package. And with the included IntelliScope Computerized Object Locator, even the novice stargazer can pinpoint the location of 14,000+ celestial wonders stored in the IntelliScope's databank...
This book tells how you can build a state-of-the-art Dobsonian telescope using readily available materials and supplies. Every step of construction is detailedin photographs and diagrams, and the underlying ideas are carefully explained...
I've written a book on how to build a telescope just like the one I did so anyone can do it. Every step and every piece is covered in great detail so you can actually build a powerful telescope much more powerful than the one's typically found in department stores...
Orion(r) SkyQuest(TM) XT Classic Dobsonians It's no wonder customers heap 5-star ratings on these gentle giants. For not only do their jumbo-sized optics and uncomplicated design bring a "new level of joy to simple observing," raved Astronomy magazine, but they're also the most affordable quality Dobs on the market...
Then at night try finding Jupiter or the moon first in the finder scope. Since you've already "aligned" your red-dot finder wiht the main scope you can be sure that the object (Jupiter or the moon) is in the field of view of your main scope but out of focus, So, all you have to do is adjust the focus until the image "snaps" into view. BTW, just as in the previous steps, start off with the eyepiece with the highest number on in e.g. 20mm (lower magnification) then once the object is focused, move down to the lower numbers e.g. 4mm (higher magnification)
