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I have a sky watcher reflector scope. I would like to look at the planes, when I set it up with my barlows and 25 magnification, it still just looks like a bright star what am I doing wrong? Do I need a stronger lens? Thanks
Re: I have a sky watcher reflector scope. I would like...
DO NOT USE THE barlow. Put the eyepiece with the largest number written on it into the telescope. Practice focusing on a distant object during the day time.
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With an aperture of 110 mm or so, the absolute largest useful magnification with this scope is about x 220 (certainly not 375 like thay say). However at this limit the image is dim, difficult to focus, and jumps around with any vibration. A more practical limit is about x 150 or so, which is attained with about a 4mm eyepiece.
I'd suggest 3 EPs in the range 5 - 30 mm. Alternatively buy 2 EPS and a x 2 Barlow Lens (This is a magnification multiplier, placed between the scope and EP, to double the magnification of that EP). A 10 mm Plossl EP and a 30-32 mm will give a good spread with the 2 x Barlow.
The different eyepieces are to give different magnifications. This is worked out by dividing the focal length of the telescope, f = 900, by that of the EP. So the 25 mm Kellner (that is the type of optics in the EP) will give 900 / 25 = 36 times magnification.
The erecting eyepiece is used for terrestrial viewing. Normally with an astro telescope everything is upside down as that does not matter when looking at a star. So when you want to look through someone's bedroom window you use this.
A Barlow lens is an add-on magnifier. If you add this onto any EP (it normally fits between the EP and the scope) it will increase magnification x 3.
There is a practical limit to what any scope will deliver, governed by its aperture (the size of the front lens) and for your scope this will be about x 120 magnification. Beyond that the image becomes too dim and fuzzy. This means that your 4 mm eyepiece ( x 225 magnification) won't be much use. It will be hard to find the object you are trying to observe, it will be hard to focus, and the image will wobble around. Nor is your barlow lens much use either I fear.
You might consider another eyepiece around 18 mm to give a nice spread. A Plossl type is good. If you get serious about astronomy, I think you will immediately want a better scope after using the Tasco.
Since you did not reply with make and model see the following general rules below. Always start with the highest number eyepiece (lowest magnification) and do NOT use the barlow until you get comfortable with the scope
Get Stellarium or another fine astronomy program
During the day, point the telescope at a part of the landscape about 100 yards away.
Use the lowest power eyepiece (highest number) in the focal tube.
Center the landscape object in the telescope.
Align the finder scope so that it points exactly where the main telescope is.
At night, leave the scope out to reach thermal equilibrium (about an hour for small reflectors and refractors)
If the scope is on a EQ mount, polar align.
Point the finder at the moon. The moon should be in the main scope also.
Practice finding the moon before you start on the planets
Once you are comfortable with the moon and planets, you can go for the deep sky objects
Magnification is the LEAST important property of a telescope. Quality optics and aperture are much more important.
The best bang for the buck is a reflector style telescope ion a Dobsionian mount. You get the most aperture for the least amount of money. Like this one-- http://www.telescope.com/Telescopes/Dobsonian-Telescopes/Classic-Dobsonians/Orion-SkyQuest-XT6-Classic-Dobsonian-Telescope/pc/1/c/12/sc/13/p/8942.uts?refineByCategoryId=13
The scope above has 6 inches of aperture and is mounted on a very stable alt az mount called a Dobsonian mount.
You are using too much magnification. I am sorry but that scope will NEVER reach 400 power. This is a complete LIE--- meant to sell the scope. Even in my LX90 8 inch scope we rarely go above 200 power.and then ONLY on perfect nights wityh perfect sky conditions.
The maximum magnification of any telescope is no more than 50 times the aperture of the scope. For example a 3 inch scope is no more than 150 power.
Put the eyepiece with the largest number written on it into the focuser. Do not use the 2x barlow if you have one. Practice focusing with JUST the eyepiece on a distant object during the day time.
No the barlow increases the magnification by 3 TIMES for any eyepiece -- this will be too much for that small 76mm telescope.
Magnification is the least important quality of a telescope. Aperture and quality ioptics are much more important. I usually never use a barlow -- just the straight eyepieces in various mm sizes.
TOO MUCH magnification. Put the eyepiece with the largest number written on it into the telescope. DO NOT USE the 2x barlow. Try Jupiter with lower magnification.
Do NOT use the barlow lens-- put the lowest magnification eyepiece into the scope-- practice focusing on the moon -- turn the focus knob slowly in and out until you get a sharp image.
Telescopes only show an area of sky about 1 degree wide or LESS--- this is about the size of the TIP of your finger held at arms length................ your scope is best used at low magnification.
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