"A quarter of an inch" doesn't really mean anything in this context, so it is tough to tell what you really mean. Did the scope come with a 10mm eyepiece too? Are you saying it's a worse view through the 25mm than the 10mm? What do you see when you look at the moon, for example; can you see the whole thing?Brian Muller said:I have an Orion 130 reflector. Never had a telescope before. The field of view is about a quarter inch through the focuser with the 25 mm eyepiece. Does anybody know what I am doing wrong or if there is something wrong with the telescope itself? I'm at my wit's end. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Brian Muller said:I have an Orion 130 reflector. Never had a telescope before. The field of view is about a quarter inch through the focuser with the 25 mm eyepiece. Does anybody know what I am doing wrong or if there is something wrong with the telescope itself? I'm at my wit's end. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Brian Muller said:My eye has to be almost touching the lens to see it fill up.
...and it is common for cheap eyepieces (like what can come with a budget telescope) to have really poor eye relief. you may want to consider buying a replacement.Drakkith said:That's normal.
And for some very expensive eyepieces! I use spectacles and cannot use some optically excellent Pentax and Televue eyepieces specifically because the eye relief is too short.russ_watters said:...and it is common for cheap eyepieces (like what can come with a budget telescope) to have really poor eye relief. you may want to consider buying a replacement.
Have you tried without spectacles? This wouldn't be a solution if you have strong astigmatism but it could be worth trying. You can get your eye much closer to the EP that way.AndyG said:I use spectacles and cannot use some optically excellent Pentax and Televue eyepieces specifically because the eye relief is too short.
It surprises me that, with all your apparent experience of eyepieces, you are quoting "a quarter of an inch" as a field of view. Field is expressed as an angle or it doesn't mean a lot.AndyG said:It's not a problem for me - I can view without specs but I choose not to for various reasons. I use other eyepieces (and binoculars) with longer eye relief and they are great for me. It's one reason why Astro Societies are so useful - you can try other prople's equipment and sometimes borrow things to try which saves making expensive mistakes. My favourite Leica zooms were about £750 new when I bought them as used (but still expensive) items and I have some £30 eyepieces which are also great. My other half's favoutite eyepiece is a £10 plossl! Where possible, try before you buy and see what works *for you*!
Collimation is the process of aligning the mirrors in a telescope to ensure optimal image quality. To collimate your Orion 130 reflector, first make sure the telescope is set up on a stable surface. Then, use a collimation tool or a Cheshire eyepiece to adjust the primary and secondary mirrors until the reflection of the primary mirror is centered in the reflection of the secondary mirror. It may take a few iterations to achieve perfect collimation.
Blurry images can be caused by a few different factors. First, make sure the telescope is properly collimated. If the mirrors are not aligned, it can result in blurry images. Additionally, check the focus knob to make sure it is adjusted correctly. If the telescope is still producing blurry images, it could be due to atmospheric conditions or incorrect eyepiece selection.
There are a few ways to enhance your viewing experience with the Orion 130 reflector. First, make sure the telescope is set up in a dark location with minimal light pollution. This will allow for clearer and more detailed views. Additionally, invest in high-quality eyepieces and filters, which can greatly improve the clarity and contrast of celestial objects.
If you are having trouble achieving focus with your telescope, check the focus knob to make sure it is adjusted correctly. If the telescope still will not focus, it could be due to the collimation being off or the eyepiece being incompatible with the telescope. Make sure the mirrors are properly aligned and try using a different eyepiece to see if that improves the focus.
If you are experiencing problems with the mount of your telescope, make sure it is set up correctly and on a stable surface. Check all knobs and screws to ensure they are tightened appropriately. If the mount is still not functioning properly, it could be due to a defect or damage and may need to be repaired or replaced by the manufacturer.