Orion Starquest XT8

[BRT]

Hello! I am just beginning with a telescope. The Orion XT8. I did my first look and I don’t know if I’m working it right. I focused in on a star and I could see the bracket on the inside of the end of tube. Is this the way it is supposed to look? Also, how do you look through the eye piece. I have 2” and it was hard for me to look... I have attached pictures.

Thanks

[Bigzmey]

Welcome to TSS BRT!

Are these pics taken through the EP? If so your image is out of focus. You need to turn the focuser wheel to shrink the "doughnut" you see until it turns into a bright dot. This is how a star should look through a telescope.

Second point: your telescope is not properly collimated. In collimated telescope the "doughnut" should be round and the central dark circle should be centered.

[BRT]

Thank you. YOU wouldn’t have a picture so I could see the correct look? Thanks so much!

[Bigzmey]

Do you mean a picture of a star in focus? When you achieve the focus a star should look the same way you see a star naked eye, like a sharp dot of light. There should be also faint stars in the background.

[BRT]

Yes sir, if possible. But thank you so much for your input!

[Bigzmey]

What might help is to practice focusing during daylight. Aim your scope at some distant target (electric pole, chimney, etc.), insert eyepiece into the focuser on the side of the scope and turn focuser wheel in or out until you see an upside-down image of your target through the EP.

[Bigzmey]

Yes sir, if possible. But thank you so much for your input!

Sorry, I don't have any pics, but some folks on this forum take snapshots with phones through their scopes and should be able to show some examples of stars.

[Lady Fraktor]

A must read for new Newtonian users.
https://www.astro-baby.com/astrobaby/he ... reflector/

[BRT]

Thanks for the help!! I really appreciate it!