Firstscope 76 EQ - Please Help!

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..!!

Thanks
Tim.

Tim,

I'm afraid to tell you that what Celestron says about the 76 EQ in their
advertising is hype and could be misleading. While there is much that you
can see with this small telescope, it's still a small scope.

Nevertheless, you may be able to see more with the correct eyepiece. What
is the focal length of the eyepeice you're using? Do you have a barlow lens
and have you used it? Remember, to determine the power, you must divide the
focal length of the eyepiece into the focal length of the telescope. To
view Mars, you should select the eyepiece and/or barlow combination that
produces at least 100x and you should view on nights with good seeing (clear
and steady atmosphere).

Al


"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..!!

Thanks
Tim.

"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

"Al" wrote in message
et...

I'm afraid to tell you that what Celestron says about the 76 EQ in their
advertising is hype and could be misleading. While there is much that you
can see with this small telescope, it's still a small scope.

I disagree. A 76-mm telescope is big enough for instructive (though not
spectacular) planetary views. Part of the problem is that Mars isn't as
close to the earth as it was a short time ago.

Many 19th-century observers used telescopes in this size range.

But it's vital to realize that the views through a telescope do not look
like photographs taken with a much larger telescope.

--
Clear skies,

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

"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..!!

Thanks
Tim.
The first thing that worries me, is that you see Mars as having any 'size'
at all without the scope. Mars is moving away fast, and now, covers about
the same angle, as 'cent', over 200 yards away. This is below the
'resolution' of the human eye (even at it's best), and it is now a 'point'
object. This possibly suggests that your eyes have a significant aberration,
and you are seeing the object as 'extended' by this aberration... This may
be distorting your perception of what the scope is doing.
You refer to Mars as being a 'couple of millimeters', then "approximately
'double' the size when viewed through the eyepiece". Assuming you have the
shorter focal length eyepiece fitted (which gives about 70*), Mars should
appear the same size as an object about 4mm across, at a distance of just
over a yard from you. This is still _very_ small, and would tally with what
you are seeing, but _is_ large enough, that some faint awareness of surface
'texture', may just about be visible if you are careful. The scope, is
capable of exceeding many of the instruments that the first astronomers
used, but it cannot perform miracles. A few weeks ago, when Mars was at it's
closest, it would have been about the size of a 'cent' a yard away.
Definately large enough to see some detail.
A shorter focal length eyepiece, or a Barlow lens, will allow higher
magnification to be used, and will show a bit more on the planets.
Both Jupiter, and Saturn, should be well visible (early morning objects at
present), Jupiter at it's best, with your higher magnification eyepiece,
will be enlarged to being just about the same size as the full Moon. Plenty
large enough to see a lot of detail (it will be slightly smaller than this
at present).
Actually seeing detail on planets, may not be as easy as you expect. It
takes a while for your eyes to get 'used' to the bright object against the
dark background, and to see the often 'transient' moments of good viewing,
as the atmosphere shifts. Getting good focus is vital - focus on a star
nearby first.

Best Wishes

"Michael A. Covington" wrote
in message ...

"Al" wrote in message
et...

I'm afraid to tell you that what Celestron says about the 76 EQ in their
advertising is hype and could be misleading. While there is much that
you
can see with this small telescope, it's still a small scope.


I disagree. A 76-mm telescope is big enough for instructive (though not
spectacular) planetary views. Part of the problem is that Mars isn't as
close to the earth as it was a short time ago.

The original poster's opening statement was, "I'm a complete newbie." As
most newbies, this person was likely taken in by the pictures he saw on the
telescope box and expects the telescope to produce the same kind of
images...and this is a reasonable assumption. I've seen this happen many
times and I'm sure you have too.


Many 19th-century observers used telescopes in this size range.

Yes, quite true. But not one 19th century observer ever have to contend
with 21st century air pollution and light pollution. Just a shot in the
dark, Michael, but I'll bet that your main scope is larger than
76mm...right?

Al



But it's vital to realize that the views through a telescope do not look
like photographs taken with a much larger telescope.

--
Clear skies,

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

Tim,

I'm afraid to tell you that what Celestron says about the 76 EQ in their
advertising is hype and could be misleading. While there is much that you
can see with this small telescope, it's still a small scope.


I wonder if any of you have actually looked at and through the Celestron
Tabletop 76. I have seen one in a store and checked it out rather carefully.
Here is a link to a page with some info on this scope.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh4/con...&Q=&sku=201655

This is a short tube Newtonian with a built in barlow, it takes 0.965 inch
eyepieces and carries the diagonal in a glass plate.

What has been posted so far about 76mm scopes has been quite positive and I
have enjoyed many nights under stars with a scope smaller than this one.

When I first read this post I was concerned because I believe this scope has
limited capabilities and in my mind it is unrealistic to expect to see detail
on the surface of Mars with it no matter what eyepieces one is using. I
believe under the best circumstances it might be possible to see the two belts
on Jupiter and the Moon would show some real detail.

So my concern here for the original poster. I don't really know what quite to
say here but I think Celestron has dealt him a bad card and Celestron needs to
make it right.

Jon

Another suggestion: try Saturn. You'll need to get up in
the wee hours of the morning, and while Saturn is only
slightly larger than Mars is now, it has the rings.
If you can't see *them*, you really do have a problem.

Or try Jupiter, at dawn. Same deal: if you can't see
a couple of bands of clouds and the Galilean satellites,
you have other problems.

Or, as others have suggested, wait a few days and try
the Moon.

Laura Halliday VE7LDH "Que les nuages soient notre
Grid: CN89mg pied a terre..."
ICBM: 49 16.05 N 122 56.92 W - Hospital/Shafte

Thanks everyone for your input - to answer some of the questions:

1) The standard eyepieces that I have are 1-1/4" 20mm (35x) and 10mm (70x).
2) Barlow lens - how high power can you get?

At the very least, it appears that I simply don't have the magnifying power
(of at least 100x) to get a decent view of Mars (and yes, it's moved
away..).

Like a lot of newbies, I certainly didn't have 'hubble' hopes of viewing
outer space but perhaps expected a little more (particularly considering the
advertising materials) of the Firstscope. But with what I am reading every
day, I'm going to learn the basics of astronomy, hit the local observatories
and then perhaps upgrade to a new beastie eventually.

I'll also mention that I'm in Australia - blue mountains (if you know the
area) a great place for amateur astronomy away from the city lights..!

Thanks
Tim.

"Al" wrote in message
et...
Tim,

I'm afraid to tell you that what Celestron says about the 76 EQ in their
advertising is hype and could be misleading. While there is much that you
can see with this small telescope, it's still a small scope.

Nevertheless, you may be able to see more with the correct eyepiece. What
is the focal length of the eyepeice you're using? Do you have a barlow
lens
and have you used it? Remember, to determine the power, you must divide
the
focal length of the eyepiece into the focal length of the telescope. To
view Mars, you should select the eyepiece and/or barlow combination that
produces at least 100x and you should view on nights with good seeing
(clear
and steady atmosphere).

Al


"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..!!

Thanks
Tim.