"Timbo" wrote in message
...
Hi all,

I'm a complete newbie with astronomy, and have an issue in relation to my
new Celestron Firstscope 76 EQ - basically, I cannot get a good view of
Mars, or any other planet / object for that matter..

For example I can focus on Mars, but what is a couple of millimetres in
the
sky, is only approximately 'double' the size when viewed through the
eyepiece - no detail at all. The brochure from celestron states that the
Firstscope 76 (tabletop) 'is small but powerful so you can study Saturn
and
it's rings, Jupiter and it's surface details and moons...'etc - are you
supposed to have bought optional extras before you can see these things or
am I simply not doing something right here...any help appreciated..!!

Planets aren't supposed to look all that big in the telescope. Remember,
Mars is smaller than Earth and is now a long way away. Keep looking. Train
your eye. Do you see any faint dark blotches on it?

Two other suggestions:

- Tell us which eyepiece you're using.

- Study the Moon when it becomes visible next week. You'll find it very
rewarding.

Finally, note that Mars is not as close as it was last month; it is now
almost at the limit of giving good telescopic views. Jupiter and Saturn
will be much more impressive. You can see them now if you get up before
dawn.

--
Clear skies,

Michael Covington -- www.covingtoninnovations.com
Author, Astrophotography for the Amateur
and (new) How to Use a Computerized Telescope