Andrews Apologetics

Well, it works!  After numerous cloudy nights, or just horrible weather, I was able to test the “Goto” system on our telescope.  It actually works ok!  Now the fun begins as I am going into this hobby semi-blindly.  Let me explain.

The computer pad that ships with the telescope is for the level-1 type of person – supposedly.  They refer to constellations, stars, “M” numbers, etc, but don’t give you a chart, or spreadsheet of what the numbers refer too.  Example:  M110 (typed out on the keypad) refers to a constellation somewhere between two stars in Cassiopea.  I found that out via magazines, and trial and error.  There are a BUNCH more numbers that you could choose, but you don’t know what you may be looking for.

 Currently, to me anyway, everything looks like a dot (except the moon  … a BIG dot).  Seriously though, the moon looks very interesting and the details are breath taking.

 My second issue is that the lenses that they give you 10x and 25x would make you think that 25x is stronger in magnification than 10x.  NOT SO!  10x actually is a stronger maginfication than 25x.  Why?  On a reflector (big, short round tube with mirror at the bottom) the focus is opposite somehow….I dont get it…  In the regular world, the higher the number, you would THINK would reflect a higher magnification.  But this is astronomy.  Long story short – it still looks like dots, just bigger brighter ones.

Last thing is that WHERE you view it matters.  Don’t set up your telescope on your deck. Why?  Decks, made usually of wood, flex.   When you or someone walks on the deck, it would vibrate and make the image ocillate through the viewer.  Just take it from me, use the good old ground.  There are even (for sale) things like vibration absorbing pads which would accomodate for any telescope stand. 

As for me, before I accessorize and put tons of money on this hobby, I think I want to distinguish differences between dots first.    To be continued….

Well, I had a “problem” with the telescope I got, but don’t know enough yet to attribute it to operator error, or a real problem.  I talked to tech support and they said that the GoTo mechanical arm had a sloppy or slipping clutch which messed with the alignment.  I got the new arm just before going on a week long trip.  Got back yesterday and of course, Cloudy! Bummer! 

I hope the are will fix the problem of alignment, or rather, the lack thereof.  Apparently you are supposed to pick 3 bright stars, not in a row, and at least 40 degrees or more appart.  The guidance system is supposed to recognize the three stars and be able to point to constellations, stars, planets, etc. (Before, I was only seeing black sky when selecting something in the handset).

Now the waiting for a  clear night is making me restless!  Once an opportunity is there, I need to check out the telescope and understand it more.  There is too much to see out there! 

Stay tuned.

Did you ever wonder how sailors, and astronomers of old figured out a complex figure out of 5 or so stars?  Growing up I could never “get it” how in the observatory the person with their flashlight pointer could see a picture of Orion with a sword, Cassiopia, Cancer, etc.   It looked like stick figures to me, at best!  There were some that I could figure out: Big dipper, Little dipper, Cassiopia (finally – looks like a big “W” of sorts), Orion (sorry – just his belt though).  This year, I really wanted to take interest in it and TRY and figure it out.

Finally spent some coin and we got a telescope.  Nothing fancy, but it did have a “GOTO” system. (Is that like a “gozinta”? – I digress).    First time out after Christmas – all I could really lock into was the moon.  Seems like the mechanical arm is defective (bad clutch I think.  Tech support said that it should have locked into some stars – it didn’t).  I am awaiting the new part and RMA the old (seems strange, “old”, it is a new scope!).  

The moon was cool!  Was able to see little green men/women on the surface (oops. that was an inch worm).  AHH!  Craters!  That was worth it….  tracking was off, so the moon wizzed by on the scope.  Argh!  Come on RMA!.  Stay tuned.