what is a pitching shaft used for on a telescope????? am i clueless?

Question

just bought and set up a reflecting telescope, absolutely dying to see what i can.Really awful booklet with it,no info whatsoever.will take it to a nearby shop and ask advice, but if any has any clues,ideas,tips or suggestions id b more than happy to hear them.

Answer 1

This is how to use your telescope.

1. Take it outside and point it at a large, distant but stationary object. If the telescope is on a German Equatorial mount, the mount will have an R.A. axis and a Declination axis. There are two locking "levers" which can be unlocked to quickly change the position of the telescope to point it at things. Just be sure to lock them back up and and use the slow motion knobs for minor adjustments.

2. With a very low magnification lens, look at a point on that object.
3. Using the adjustment screws on the view finder, adjust it until the view finder is also centered on the point on the object.
4. Find something smaller to look at and repeat the processs until the view finder is well calibrated.

5. Point the telescope in the direction of a bright star and using the view finder, center the telescope on the star.

6. Looking through a low powered eyepeice, focus until the star forms as perfect as a spherical point as you can get. This step is just for practice.

Now your view finder is calibrated so you can find objects with it and you know how to use the focuser. You do not have to calibrate the view finder often if it's a decent view finder holder. Limit your view for now to objects that are easy to find and always start with a low powered eyepeice. You may not get a decent image in high powered eyepeices. It's always a good idea to let your telescope sit outside at night for an hour or so before using it as this will allow the optics to reach equilibrium and give you a better image (make sure there isn't too much condensation that night).

Your telescope may also have a big N on it somewhere near the base of the mount and a ring with a coordinate system on it. This is for polar aligning the telescope and the coordination system can be used to find objects "easily". Most people don't find it all that easy though and you don't have to use it unless you're doing motorized astrophotography.

Answer 2

each and each eyepiece will provide a diverse magnification. Use the single that provides the backside means, a minimum of on the initiating. it will be the single with the bigger lens in it. It provides a much wider container of view so which you'll be somewhat sloppy on pointing the telescope and nevertheless see the object you attempt to work out. i'm unsure with regard to the extension tube. Does it have a lens in it? it incredibly is a barlow. do no longer situation with it I say. concentration via turning the knob that strikes the draw tube (keeping the eyepiece) out and in. Getting the telescope pointed on the object is the toughest section for beginners. commence with the Moon it incredibly is the least perplexing. it will be a pair weeks earlier the Moon is returned seen interior the early night, besides the indisputable fact that it is going to seen in the process the day time the following day morning.

Answer 3

I have the same probs mate, bought one a few months ago, so far I have seen a rather 'iffy' close up of the moon, but it could have been a street lamp!. Look forward to seeing some of your replies and see if they help me!

Answer 4

Yep.