Sunday, October 17, 2010

star test failed (Toronto)

I tried the FirstScope for the first time after the alignment with Guy's laser collimation tool. It was no better.

The 20mm eyepiece showed Jupiter as a small, bright, featureless disk. I could see 3 moons, 2 left and 1 right. There was slight colouring when off-axis in the eyepiece.

Tried the 4mm. Once again, difficult to focus. With the planet's disc sharp, there was ghosting off to one side, flaring. Diffraction rings inside the pale white flare. Very distracting. I could see a cloud band or two. It was then I noticed a faint moon close to the planet on the left side. So, considering the rotation of the field by a Newtonian, I was seeing Ganymede, Europa, Io, Jupiter, and Calliso...

I did not like the view. At all. I cannot give this telescope as a gift! It is a dud. I shall return it.

No comments: