View finder problem.

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David J Great Britain
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View finder problem.

#1

Post by David J »


Please help I have a second hand Sky-Watcher BK 1309 telescope. When I look through the eyepiece the image is upside down (normal) but the image runs at a 45 degree angle, from top left to bottom right. Thanking you in advance for any help

Regards

David
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KathyNS Canada
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Re: View finder problem.

#2

Post by KathyNS »


The orientation of the image in the eyepiece is a bit arbitrary. It depends on the orientation of the diagonal.

I am not quite sure what you are seeing. What runs at a 45 degree angle? The frame of the field of view is round, so it can't be that. Are you talking about which direction is North in the eyepiece? Or are you describing the direction of movement when you move the scope?
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Re: View finder problem.

#3

Post by Lady Fraktor »


I believe your telescope is a 130 mm newtonian on a EQ-2
A nice size for visual.
If the focuser seems to be in a awkward position point it up and 95% of the time it should be in a good position for viewing.
One of those tricks for using a newtonian on a EQ.
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kt4hx United States of America
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Re: View finder problem.

#4

Post by kt4hx »


Since this is a newtonian, I have to wonder if what he is seeing is a bad mirror mis-alignment and that his visual field is not round and he is seeing only a portion of the primary mirror reflected in the secondary?

If you have any local amateur astronomers (such as a club) near you that could help you with making sure the optical path is in proper alignment that would be a good way to go. Even the previous owner if they are experienced in setting up the scope might be helpful. Its always preferable if one can get hands-on in=person assistance.
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Re: View finder problem.

#5

Post by David J »


KathyNS wrote: Thu Feb 16, 2023 1:15 am The orientation of the image in the eyepiece is a bit arbitrary. It depends on the orientation of the diagonal.

I am not quite sure what you are seeing. What runs at a 45 degree angle? The frame of the field of view is round, so it can't be that. Are you talking about which direction is North in the eyepiece? Or are you describing the direction of movement when you move the scope?
Thank you for the reply. The image I see when looking into the eyepiece is of a lamppost as I am setting the red spot sight. The image of the post is running from 11o’clock to 5 o’clock and not 12 o’clock to 6 o’clock My next step is to re set the scope from new as I am new to this and I may have made a mistake.
Once again thank you David
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Re: View finder problem.

#6

Post by KathyNS »


David J wrote: Thu Feb 16, 2023 2:42 pm
KathyNS wrote: Thu Feb 16, 2023 1:15 am The orientation of the image in the eyepiece is a bit arbitrary. It depends on the orientation of the diagonal.
...
Thank you for the reply. The image I see when looking into the eyepiece is of a lamppost as I am setting the red spot sight. The image of the post is running from 11o’clock to 5 o’clock and not 12 o’clock to 6 o’clock My next step is to re set the scope from new as I am new to this and I may have made a mistake.
Once again thank you David
Thank you for the clarification. I don't think you have made a mistake. The orientation of the image depends on the orientation of the diagonal. You can check this by rotating the diagonal. (On a Newtonian, the equivalent is rotating the scope in the rings.) As the diagonal changes its orientation, the image will rotate. This is normal.

There is no up or down in space, so for most viewing it doesn't matter.
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DSO AP: Orion 200mm f/4 Newtonian Astrograph; ATIK 383L+; EFW2 filter wheel; Astrodon Ha,Oiii,LRGB filters; KWIQ/QHY5 guide scope; Planetary AP: Celestron C-11; ZWO ASI120MC; Portable: Celestron C-8 on HEQ5 pro; C-90 on wedge; 20x80 binos; Etc: Canon 350D; Various EPs, etc. Obs: 8' Exploradome; iOptron CEM60 (pier); Helena Observatory (H2O) Astrobin
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Re: View finder problem.

#7

Post by David J »


KathyNS wrote: Fri Feb 17, 2023 12:30 am
David J wrote: Thu Feb 16, 2023 2:42 pm
KathyNS wrote: Thu Feb 16, 2023 1:15 am The orientation of the image in the eyepiece is a bit arbitrary. It depends on the orientation of the diagonal.
...
Thank you for the reply. The image I see when looking into the eyepiece is of a lamppost as I am setting the red spot sight. The image of the post is running from 11o’clock to 5 o’clock and not 12 o’clock to 6 o’clock My next step is to re set the scope from new as I am new to this and I may have made a mistake.
Once again thank you David
Thank you for the clarification. I don't think you have made a mistake. The orientation of the image depends on the orientation of the diagonal. You can check this by rotating the diagonal. (On a Newtonian, the equivalent is rotating the scope in the rings.) As the diagonal changes its orientation, the image will rotate. This is normal.

There is no up or down in space, so for most viewing it doesn't matter.
Thank you for your reply hopefully this will resolve the slight issue.
Kind regards
David
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Re: View finder problem.

#8

Post by David J »


Lady Fraktor wrote: Thu Feb 16, 2023 6:08 am I believe your telescope is a 130 mm newtonian on a EQ-2
A nice size for visual.
If the focuser seems to be in a awkward position point it up and 95% of the time it should be in a good position for viewing.
One of those tricks for using a newtonian on a EQ.
Thank you for your reply.
Kind regards
David
David J Great Britain
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Re: View finder problem.

#9

Post by David J »


kt4hx wrote: Thu Feb 16, 2023 2:23 pm Since this is a newtonian, I have to wonder if what he is seeing is a bad mirror mis-alignment and that his visual field is not round and he is seeing only a portion of the primary mirror reflected in the secondary?

If you have any local amateur astronomers (such as a club) near you that could help you with making sure the optical path is in proper alignment that would be a good way to go. Even the previous owner if they are experienced in setting up the scope might be helpful. Its always preferable if one can get hands-on in=person assistance.
Thank you for your reply
Kind regards
David
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Re: View finder problem.

#10

Post by Thefatkitty »


Hi David, welcome to TSS :D I'm wondering if maybe drawing a picture of what you're seeing, taking a pic of it and posting that would help. I think I know what you mean as do others, but it might help for clarification. Just a thought.

Nice scope as well; good for you! BTW, I was in Iverness when I was 12 (1977) and saw the Aurora for the first time in my life. Fond memories!

All the best,
Mark

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David J Great Britain
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Re: View finder problem.

#11

Post by David J »


KathyNS wrote: Fri Feb 17, 2023 12:30 am
David J wrote: Thu Feb 16, 2023 2:42 pm
KathyNS wrote: Thu Feb 16, 2023 1:15 am The orientation of the image in the eyepiece is a bit arbitrary. It depends on the orientation of the diagonal.
...
Thank you for the reply. The image I see when looking into the eyepiece is of a lamppost as I am setting the red spot sight. The image of the post is running from 11o’clock to 5 o’clock and not 12 o’clock to 6 o’clock My next step is to re set the scope from new as I am new to this and I may have made a mistake.
Once again thank you David
Thank you for the clarification. I don't think you have made a mistake. The orientation of the image depends on the orientation of the diagonal. You can check this by rotating the diagonal. (On a Newtonian, the equivalent is rotating the scope in the rings.) As the diagonal changes its orientation, the image will rotate. This is normal.

There is no up or down in space, so for most viewing it doesn't matter.
Thank you for all your help. I rotated the tube and the viewer now has the image running from 12 o’clock to 6 o’clock. Very happy with the outcome, looks like I have a lot to learn.
Kind regards
David
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Re: View finder problem.

#12

Post by David J »


Thefatkitty wrote: Fri Feb 17, 2023 2:45 am Hi David, welcome to TSS :D I'm wondering if maybe drawing a picture of what you're seeing, taking a pic of it and posting that would help. I think I know what you mean as do others, but it might help for clarification. Just a thought.

Nice scope as well; good for you! BTW, I was in Iverness when I was 12 (1977) and saw the Aurora for the first time in my life. Fond memories!

All the best,
Thank you for your reply the problem was solved with a slight rotation of the tube in the clamps. I was married in Inverness Nov 1988. So I also have very fond memories.
Kind regards
David
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Re: View finder problem.

#13

Post by David J »


David J wrote: Fri Feb 17, 2023 2:24 am
kt4hx wrote: Thu Feb 16, 2023 2:23 pm Since this is a newtonian, I have to wonder if what he is seeing is a bad mirror mis-alignment and that his visual field is not round and he is seeing only a portion of the primary mirror reflected in the secondary?

If you have any local amateur astronomers (such as a club) near you that could help you with making sure the optical path is in proper alignment that would be a good way to go. Even the previous owner if they are experienced in setting up the scope might be helpful. Its always preferable if one can get hands-on in=person assistance.

Thank you for your reply
Kind regards
David
The problem was solved with a slight rotation of the tube.
Thank you for your reply.
Kind regards
David
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