New telescope, only see a big blur.

My wife bought me a telescope for my birthday. It was a TASCO model
#302911. When I couldn't get it to work, I put it away for a rainy
day. It is now 3 years later and I'm finally getting around to try
and figure out the problem.

Here's the problem: The telescope can only see a big fuzzy blur
roughly the color of whatever I'm pointing at; So when I point it
toward the nighttime sky, all I see is very dark blur which only
improves when I stop using the telescope.

I understand TASCO isn't the best thing out there, but I'd love to get
the thing working as best it can. So I am basically left trying to
debug the problem.


My cursory examination yields no obviously dirty or broken optics:
Everything is very clean as I am the original owner and removed it
from its original packaging. The mirror is intact, as are the two
eyepieces (labeled SR4mm and H20mm, respectively) that came with it,
and the unit that holds the eyepieces (which has exactly 1 lens in it,
clean and intact).

If I remove the eyepiece from the telescop and look through the
opening I can clearly see the collector and out the open end of the
scope (yes, I removed the cap on the end of the scope!); As expected
I can see a tiny, little view of the outside world, very clean and
clear.

From the telescope I then remove the unit that holds the eyepiece. It
is labeled "3X BARLOW LENS". It is a black tube aprox. 6" long which
is narrower at the end which goes inside the telescope and terminates
in a lens. If I remove the eyepiece from the unit, I find it is a
hollow tube with no intermediate lenses. Just to make my point: When
the unit is holding the eyepiece, there are exactly 2 lenses: The one
in the eyepiece, and the one at the end of the unit that holds the
eyepiece.

Years ago (like more than 30) I had a telescope as a child. As a
matter of fact, it was a TASCO. If memory serves, I could take this
unit and afix an eyepiece to it and clearly see the world, even if the
image was very small and distant. But with this new BARLOW LENS with
an attached eyepiece, if I look through it, all I see is a blur. I'm
wondering if this is where the problem is originating - the eyepice
and holder unit.

I'd appreciate any references where I can go next in trying to solve
this big-blur problem... I've done searches on the internet, but I
don't see anything like "troubleshooting a new telescope problem".


Many thanks!

-z

From the telescope I then remove the unit that holds the eyepiece. It
is labeled "3X BARLOW LENS".

Several possible problems here.

First, a 3X barlow lens multiplies the magnification by a factor of three, not
a good thing in most cases.

Take out the barlow and plan to leave in a safe place...

Now you should have a "diagonal" mirror assembly, if you do, place this in the
focuser, the 20mm eyepiece in the focuser.

Now point at some distant object and see if you can bring the scope to focus.
If so, your troubles are over.

If you don't have a diagonal, then it may be that the scope will not come to
focus without it.

If you don't have a diagonal, put the 20mm eyepiece directly in the focuser,
try to aim the scope at some distant object and see if the scope will come to
focus. If it will not, remove the eyepiece and hand holding it, try to move it
back wards while still looking through the scope and see if it will come to
focus.

Thats what I would do first....

jon

On Wed, 01 Sep 2004 17:06:53 -0400, Edmund Rishekl
wrote:


My wife bought me a telescope for my birthday. It was a TASCO model
#302911. When I couldn't get it to work, I put it away for a rainy
day. It is now 3 years later and I'm finally getting around to try
and figure out the problem.

Here's the problem: The telescope can only see a big fuzzy blur
roughly the color of whatever I'm pointing at; So when I point it
toward the nighttime sky, all I see is very dark blur which only
improves when I stop using the telescope.

I understand TASCO isn't the best thing out there, but I'd love to get
the thing working as best it can. So I am basically left trying to
debug the problem.


My cursory examination yields no obviously dirty or broken optics:
Everything is very clean as I am the original owner and removed it
from its original packaging. The mirror is intact, as are the two
eyepieces (labeled SR4mm and H20mm, respectively) that came with it,
and the unit that holds the eyepieces (which has exactly 1 lens in it,
clean and intact).

If I remove the eyepiece from the telescop and look through the
opening I can clearly see the collector and out the open end of the
scope (yes, I removed the cap on the end of the scope!); As expected
I can see a tiny, little view of the outside world, very clean and
clear.

From the telescope I then remove the unit that holds the eyepiece. It
is labeled "3X BARLOW LENS". It is a black tube aprox. 6" long which
is narrower at the end which goes inside the telescope and terminates
in a lens. If I remove the eyepiece from the unit, I find it is a
hollow tube with no intermediate lenses. Just to make my point: When
the unit is holding the eyepiece, there are exactly 2 lenses: The one
in the eyepiece, and the one at the end of the unit that holds the
eyepiece.

Years ago (like more than 30) I had a telescope as a child. As a
matter of fact, it was a TASCO. If memory serves, I could take this
unit and afix an eyepiece to it and clearly see the world, even if the
image was very small and distant. But with this new BARLOW LENS with
an attached eyepiece, if I look through it, all I see is a blur. I'm
wondering if this is where the problem is originating - the eyepice
and holder unit.

I'd appreciate any references where I can go next in trying to solve
this big-blur problem... I've done searches on the internet, but I
don't see anything like "troubleshooting a new telescope problem".


Many thanks!

-z

1. The "Barlow" lens is useless. LOSE IT!
2. Start with the 20mm (low power) eyepiece.
3. During the daylight, point the scope at nearby
ground. Gradually scan upward toward the horizon until
you see something "in focus". As you scan upward toward
ever more distant objects, refocus the eyepiece until
you are finally looking at very distant objects, in focus.
4. Note the position of the eyepiece and focuser. This is the
place to start when viewing the sky at night.
5. Before putting the scope away, sight on a distant object,
then adjust the finder scope to target the view in the main
scope.
6. The 4mm eyepiece may or may not be useful. Experiment with it,
but don't put too much hope in it. Tasco has made some very
dissatisfying telescopes over the past decade or two.

You didn't state whether the telescope is a refractor (big lens
in front) or a reflector (big mirror in the back.) If it is a
reflector, you may also need to *collimate" the optics to get
a usable view.

Cheers,
Larry G.

--
Using M2, Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/m2/

On Wed, 01 Sep 2004 17:06:53 -0400, Edmund Rishekl wrote:

..

Here's the problem: The telescope can only see a big fuzzy blur
roughly the color of whatever I'm pointing at; So when I point it
toward the nighttime sky, all I see is very dark blur which only
improves when I stop using the telescope.

I understand TASCO isn't the best thing out there, but I'd love to get
the thing working as best it can. So I am basically left trying to
debug the problem.



You can have a lot of fun with that TASCO scope even though there are
certainly better scopes available. The casual observer who just wants to
look through a scope at the moon to see craters and mountains and Saturn to
see rings and Jupiter to see moons and star clusters simply to see a lot of
stars in the FOV really can appreacte the scope.

The barlow is more than likely a significant problem. I would put it away,
make sure the scope is relatively well-collimated and then get ready for
fun.

--
Martin
"Photographs From the Universe of Amateur Astronomy"
http://home.earthlink.net/~martinhowell

"Jon Isaacs" wrote

First, a 3X barlow lens multiplies the magnification by a factor of
three, not
a good thing in most cases.

Take out the barlow and plan to leave in a safe place...

Leave the barlow, not you, in a safe place.


Now you should have a "diagonal" mirror assembly, if you do, place this in
the
focuser, the 20mm eyepiece in the focuser.

Place the mirror diagonal (usually a 90-degree device) into the telescope's
focuser, then place the 20mm eyepiece into the other end of the mirror
diagonal. This way you will be looking down into the eyepiece.

First of all don't use that barlows, start with just using the 20mm EP. The
worst thing is trying to use high power right off.

Try it with the 20mm and look at something like the moon and see if you can
get a clear image with it.


--


"And for the second time in four million years, the monolith awoke."
Arthur C.Clarke 2062dyssey three

SIAR
www.starlords.org
Telescope Buyers FAQ
http://home.inreach.com/starlord
Bishop's Car Fund
http://www.bishopcarfund.netfirms.com/

"Edmund Rishekl" wrote in message
...

My wife bought me a telescope for my birthday. It was a TASCO model
#302911. When I couldn't get it to work, I put it away for a rainy
day. It is now 3 years later and I'm finally getting around to try
and figure out the problem.

Here's the problem: The telescope can only see a big fuzzy blur
roughly the color of whatever I'm pointing at; So when I point it
toward the nighttime sky, all I see is very dark blur which only
improves when I stop using the telescope.

I understand TASCO isn't the best thing out there, but I'd love to get
the thing working as best it can. So I am basically left trying to
debug the problem.


My cursory examination yields no obviously dirty or broken optics:
Everything is very clean as I am the original owner and removed it
from its original packaging. The mirror is intact, as are the two
eyepieces (labeled SR4mm and H20mm, respectively) that came with it,
and the unit that holds the eyepieces (which has exactly 1 lens in it,
clean and intact).

If I remove the eyepiece from the telescop and look through the
opening I can clearly see the collector and out the open end of the
scope (yes, I removed the cap on the end of the scope!); As expected
I can see a tiny, little view of the outside world, very clean and
clear.

From the telescope I then remove the unit that holds the eyepiece. It
is labeled "3X BARLOW LENS". It is a black tube aprox. 6" long which
is narrower at the end which goes inside the telescope and terminates
in a lens. If I remove the eyepiece from the unit, I find it is a
hollow tube with no intermediate lenses. Just to make my point: When
the unit is holding the eyepiece, there are exactly 2 lenses: The one
in the eyepiece, and the one at the end of the unit that holds the
eyepiece.

Years ago (like more than 30) I had a telescope as a child. As a
matter of fact, it was a TASCO. If memory serves, I could take this
unit and afix an eyepiece to it and clearly see the world, even if the
image was very small and distant. But with this new BARLOW LENS with
an attached eyepiece, if I look through it, all I see is a blur. I'm
wondering if this is where the problem is originating - the eyepice
and holder unit.

I'd appreciate any references where I can go next in trying to solve
this big-blur problem... I've done searches on the internet, but I
don't see anything like "troubleshooting a new telescope problem".


Many thanks!

-z





---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.747 / Virus Database: 499 - Release Date: 9/1/04

Hello friend!

I looked up your model and it is a reflector. Whenever posting questions,
always include that information as it will help with solutions.
You should use the 20mm eyepiece without the barlow for now. You do not
need a diagonal as mentioned by previous poster. If you still only get
blurry images, you might need to collimate---align the mirror with the
focuser. You can rough that out by removing the eyepiece and looking into
where the eyepiece goes. Your own eye will reflect onto the secondary and
should be in the exact center. This is rough but even if you're not
perfect, you should get better results than you are now getting. Don't give
up. Look up "collimating a reflector" on google. There are tools to assist
with the process too. Get good ones. If you decide to invest in a better
scope later, you'll be able to use them. Don't spend a lot of money on .965
eyepieces. Try to find a .965 to 1.25 adapter---astromart.com---and then
get a couple good eyepieces---maybe start with a good 25mm Plossl since they
can be obtained for little money.

Then do what we all do. Buy a bigger telescope!

Just don't give up. Most of us have been through it.

Chris

"starlord" wrote in message
...
First of all don't use that barlows, start with just using the 20mm EP.
The
worst thing is trying to use high power right off.

Try it with the 20mm and look at something like the moon and see if you
can
get a clear image with it.


--


"And for the second time in four million years, the monolith awoke."
Arthur C.Clarke 2062dyssey three

SIAR
www.starlords.org
Telescope Buyers FAQ
http://home.inreach.com/starlord
Bishop's Car Fund
http://www.bishopcarfund.netfirms.com/

"Edmund Rishekl" wrote in message
...

My wife bought me a telescope for my birthday. It was a TASCO model
#302911. When I couldn't get it to work, I put it away for a rainy
day. It is now 3 years later and I'm finally getting around to try
and figure out the problem.

Here's the problem: The telescope can only see a big fuzzy blur
roughly the color of whatever I'm pointing at; So when I point it
toward the nighttime sky, all I see is very dark blur which only
improves when I stop using the telescope.

I understand TASCO isn't the best thing out there, but I'd love to get
the thing working as best it can. So I am basically left trying to
debug the problem.


My cursory examination yields no obviously dirty or broken optics:
Everything is very clean as I am the original owner and removed it
from its original packaging. The mirror is intact, as are the two
eyepieces (labeled SR4mm and H20mm, respectively) that came with it,
and the unit that holds the eyepieces (which has exactly 1 lens in it,
clean and intact).

If I remove the eyepiece from the telescop and look through the
opening I can clearly see the collector and out the open end of the
scope (yes, I removed the cap on the end of the scope!); As expected
I can see a tiny, little view of the outside world, very clean and
clear.

From the telescope I then remove the unit that holds the eyepiece. It
is labeled "3X BARLOW LENS". It is a black tube aprox. 6" long which
is narrower at the end which goes inside the telescope and terminates
in a lens. If I remove the eyepiece from the unit, I find it is a
hollow tube with no intermediate lenses. Just to make my point: When
the unit is holding the eyepiece, there are exactly 2 lenses: The one
in the eyepiece, and the one at the end of the unit that holds the
eyepiece.

Years ago (like more than 30) I had a telescope as a child. As a
matter of fact, it was a TASCO. If memory serves, I could take this
unit and afix an eyepiece to it and clearly see the world, even if the
image was very small and distant. But with this new BARLOW LENS with
an attached eyepiece, if I look through it, all I see is a blur. I'm
wondering if this is where the problem is originating - the eyepice
and holder unit.

I'd appreciate any references where I can go next in trying to solve
this big-blur problem... I've done searches on the internet, but I
don't see anything like "troubleshooting a new telescope problem".


Many thanks!

-z





---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.747 / Virus Database: 499 - Release Date: 9/1/04

Doink wrote:

Hello friend!

I looked up your model and it is a reflector. Whenever posting questions,
always include that information as it will help with solutions.
You should use the 20mm eyepiece without the barlow for now. You do not
need a diagonal as mentioned by previous poster. If you still only get
blurry images, you might need to collimate---align the mirror with the
focuser. You can rough that out by removing the eyepiece and looking into
where the eyepiece goes. Your own eye will reflect onto the secondary and
should be in the exact center. This is rough but even if you're not
perfect, you should get better results than you are now getting. Don't give
up. Look up "collimating a reflector" on google. There are tools to assist
with the process too. Get good ones. If you decide to invest in a better
scope later, you'll be able to use them. Don't spend a lot of money on .965
eyepieces. Try to find a .965 to 1.25 adapter---astromart.com---and then
get a couple good eyepieces---maybe start with a good 25mm Plossl since they
can be obtained for little money.

Then do what we all do. Buy a bigger telescope!

Just don't give up. Most of us have been through it.

Chris

Just a comment he from what you describe, the problem is not that
you cannot get a good focus, but that you cannot even get _close_ to
focus. You mention that the most you can see is the color of what are
you pointing at, and not anything like shapes, and this sounds to me
like as being very, very far out of focus.

Doink's advice about collimation is a good one. Just don't rush to
collimate before you can get some images from the scope!

During the day try to focus to something that is far away - a distant
hill, treetop, tower, whatever. When you are able to see it through
the scope, and know how to focus, try the scope at night. And just
after several sessions think about collimation.

Regards,

- Alex

--

-----

"Edmund Rishekl" wrote in message
...

My wife bought me a telescope for my birthday. It was a TASCO model
#302911. When I couldn't get it to work, I put it away for a rainy
day. It is now 3 years later and I'm finally getting around to try
and figure out the problem.

Here's the problem: The telescope can only see a big fuzzy blur
roughly the color of whatever I'm pointing at; So when I point it
toward the nighttime sky, all I see is very dark blur which only
improves when I stop using the telescope.

I understand TASCO isn't the best thing out there, but I'd love to get
the thing working as best it can. So I am basically left trying to
debug the problem.


My cursory examination yields no obviously dirty or broken optics:
Everything is very clean as I am the original owner and removed it
from its original packaging. The mirror is intact, as are the two
eyepieces (labeled SR4mm and H20mm, respectively) that came with it,
and the unit that holds the eyepieces (which has exactly 1 lens in it,
clean and intact).

If I remove the eyepiece from the telescop and look through the
opening I can clearly see the collector and out the open end of the
scope (yes, I removed the cap on the end of the scope!); As expected
I can see a tiny, little view of the outside world, very clean and
clear.

From the telescope I then remove the unit that holds the eyepiece. It
is labeled "3X BARLOW LENS". It is a black tube aprox. 6" long which
is narrower at the end which goes inside the telescope and terminates
in a lens. If I remove the eyepiece from the unit, I find it is a
hollow tube with no intermediate lenses. Just to make my point: When
the unit is holding the eyepiece, there are exactly 2 lenses: The one
in the eyepiece, and the one at the end of the unit that holds the
eyepiece.

Years ago (like more than 30) I had a telescope as a child. As a
matter of fact, it was a TASCO. If memory serves, I could take this
unit and afix an eyepiece to it and clearly see the world, even if the
image was very small and distant. But with this new BARLOW LENS with
an attached eyepiece, if I look through it, all I see is a blur. I'm
wondering if this is where the problem is originating - the eyepice
and holder unit.

I'd appreciate any references where I can go next in trying to solve
this big-blur problem... I've done searches on the internet, but I
don't see anything like "troubleshooting a new telescope problem".


Many thanks!

-z




As others have already suggested, put the 3X Barlow away and use the
eyepiece.

As for focusing: The scope is in focus when the object you are viewing is
at it SMALLEST point -- lots of folks upon looking through a scope try to
focus it so the object they are viewing is BIG -- that just puts it out of
focus. As you try to focus the scope, you are moving in the right direction
when the object starts getting smaller -- then it will slide right into
focus.

_____

Joe S.

Take out the barlow and plan to leave in a safe place...

No - throw it in the garbage immediately. Then use the EP with the larger
number
(such as 25 instead of 4), and try using that thingie that racks the focuser in
and out.

Clear, Dark, Steady Skies!
(And considerate neighbors!!!)