troll hunter wrote:

Now before you read further - im new to telescopes... so expect some stupid
questions...
I have a tasco newtonian.
When i look at something - ie planet or star for instance, i get the
reflection of the four stick thingy that sits at the otherend of the tube
always over the centre of the object im trying to look at. The following
link has a picture "similar" to mine that has the offending four stick thing
clearly shown as you view down the tube :-
http://skyandtelescope.com/howto/sco...icle_787_1.asp
Also - what is that 2 part cover that sits over the end of the scope when
im not using it. I notice the small centre circular section comes off as
well as the end that the small centre sphere sits in.
Considering i have very little idea what im trying to convey - i beleive ive
done a good job at explaining the problem. btw - gettin the spottin scope
aligned with the main mirror is a complete pain in the ..well u guess the
rest.
thanks for input.

One other thought strikes me.... What is the focal ratio of the scope, and t=what size eyepieces are
you using.

I had an 8" F5, and was unable to use anything larger than a 32mm as I would see the image of the
spider quite clearly in the field of vision.

I dont know what the mechanics of this are, but I believe its something to do with the exit pupil ??

If you could give us more of a description of the scope : lens size, focal length or focal ratio (f
?), we might be able to suss out the problem.. It might be of course that its just very badly out of
focus....

If you look at Jupiter for example, and move the system out of focus, the image of the spider will
be visible on the "out of focus" image of Jupiter (is that right gang ??)

Come on Pete... Stephen..... U know the answers....

DH