T A WOW Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 Hello everyone. A few nights ago i was looking at Jupiter in my scope, and when i go past anything higher than 100x magnification all I get is an out of round blury blob in my eyepiece. I'm curious if anyone knows what is the most likely cause. No matter what i try i can't focus it for a crisp image. The eyepieces are from the celestron eyepiece and filter kit. Not sure if its just these that aren't any good or if its my focuser or my whole set up. (unfortunately no one makes upgrades for my scope that I can find) I've been looking at some celestron x-cel lx eyepieces and wonder if they may be a good purchace as they have good reviews so I'd keep them for use in any future scope I get. Any help would be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 I would say it could be the seeing conditions, looking through the atmosphere low down, you have reached the maximum magnification of your scope, inferior eyepieces, dew, I think thats it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Eddy Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 I Agree with Doc, probably just the seeing conditions and your eyepieces Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tweedledum Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 Hi There, Try the links below as they will guide you through the max mag to use. However as Doc has said the lower the object is to the horizon the more susceptible you will be to atmospheric turbulence. Cheers Damian http://www.12dstring.me.uk/fov.htm http://www.stargazing.net/naa/scopemath.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T A WOW Posted October 11, 2012 Author Share Posted October 11, 2012 Hi. It was about 2am when I was looking at Jupiter, so I guess it was quite high. And I'd only just put out my scope so it wasn't dewed (spelling) out. I guess it's probably the eyepieces then. I've read some poor reviews on that kit. Might get me some better ones then. Thanks all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 If you had only just stuck it out then I bet it wasn't cooled down enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T A WOW Posted October 11, 2012 Author Share Posted October 11, 2012 Cooled down? Why do need the scope to cool down? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Eddy Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 Because they need to be the same temperature as the air you are looking through otherwise you get thermals and this creates distortion and will make the views nasty, with a 130 you probably want about 30 minutes or so for it to cool down nicely, I may be wrong be someone else can step if so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T A WOW Posted October 11, 2012 Author Share Posted October 11, 2012 Oh ok. Wouldnt of thought about that. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 Eddy is right they need to be the same temperature thats why some people store their scopes in sheds etc so it's colder then inside the house. When I had my 16" dob it needed a good 2 hours to cool down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 I never cooled my scope down, I just dumped it out and started using it. The views were always worse early on, improving greatly as the scope cooled. Don't forget that with a high magnification eyepiece you are essentially magnifying all of the distortions too, including air turbulence and thermals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T A WOW Posted October 11, 2012 Author Share Posted October 11, 2012 Sounds like I should keep it in the fridge over winter then. Not sure the wife would be too happy with that though. Lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brantuk Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 Depending on the scope type and size - just take it outside and start setting up - there's no need to rush this - cos it'll be cooling down as you go. Take time and get a good polar alignment. If it's a cold night - set up and have a coffee or tea to warm up before starting to view. You could even watch that last half of your favourite soap lol. Expect initial views to be "not so brilliant" - have a stab around the sky and pick some objects you'd like to revisit later. You'll soon know when the scopes ready cos sufficient time will have passed and the views will be getting better. You could even use cool down time to consult your charts or stellarium and compile a plan for the session. (I don't do any of this lol) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T A WOW Posted October 12, 2012 Author Share Posted October 12, 2012 Is it a good idea to keep all the covers/caps on while waiting to help prevent dew formation? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tweedledum Posted October 12, 2012 Share Posted October 12, 2012 (edited) Best idea is too keep them in a pocket until use . Sometimes difficult with the size of some ep's!! Edited October 12, 2012 by Tweedledum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest flames UK Posted October 15, 2012 Share Posted October 15, 2012 on the subject of celestron x-cel ep , i have one and its awsome - i couldnt afford all the sizes i wanted so got the hyperion zoom [which is pretty good] although the baader is nowhere near as crisp as the x-cel 25mm . when i first started using my scope i was pretty happy , but on inserting the x-cel it blew me away , was like HD !!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brantuk Posted October 15, 2012 Share Posted October 15, 2012 Excellent Carl - I've not heard a bad report from those X-Cells yet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T A WOW Posted October 15, 2012 Author Share Posted October 15, 2012 Looks like I shall have to invest in a few of them then. See if I can stretch a bit more performance from my baby scope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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