new with a soligor MT 910/4.5"

Hello,
I'm new here and very happy to have found you!
My name is Irina and I'm from Barcelona. I've been living in Galway for a while now and I 'm working for the Simon Community.

I always liked watching the stars and like many people I can tell where some constellations are, but that's all... I was recently back in Catalonia for 2 weeks where I could see the Perseids on aug 11th. Then I discovered my aunt is an amateur astronomer, she introduced me to her scope and infatuated me with her chats. I also installed stellarium which I discovered from my brother.
So here I am now, back home in Ireland with a birthday present: SOLIGOR MT 910/4.5" and a very embarrassing thing to say...
I started setting it up last saturday and following instructions and all, I can't finish setting it up!!! No one around me have a clue...

I'd like to know if there is anybody here with a telescope like mine but not as clumsy as me...
:oops:
thank you...

Hi Blau, and welcome.

Exactly what is the problem? Can't attach the equatorial head to the tripod? Or the telescope to the equatorial head? Or is it something else?

There are a lot of very helpful amateur astronomers in the Galway area who would be only too willing to lend a hand. Try the Galway Astronomy Club.

hello lunartic,

I'm sorry, I should have been more specific.
I have the feeling that it's just a simple little thing but I have never set up a telescope before, although I think I'm good at following instructions (or I thought I was)

Everything is set up:telescope to equatorial head and equatorial head to tripod. It's adjusting the mirrors that I'm not sure about. Following the instructions I should see an image of the primary mirror and in its centre I should see the secondary mirror... but I can't see them...
Anyway, I'll keep trying and I will also try the Galway Astronomy Club.

Thanks a lot

Hi Blau,

I've also got a SOLIGOR MT 910/4.5, I've not had to set-up the mirrors they were factory set and its been fine so far. The art of lining up the mirrors is called Collimation. This link might help you understand the process a little better.

To be honest the Soligor is a little difficult because it doesn't have the aiming circle on the primary mirror, I was planning to get advice from the expert members of our club, I'd suggest the same for you before you go playing with this.

Hi!
Thanks a lot for everything!
I read the Galway Astronomy Club meets on the last monday of every month, so I'll go next week and ask for more tips.
Well I think I made a bit of progress, since I discovered the mirrors were right, as you already said artyfarty.
I'm getting there, slowly but getting close... by the time I get it, some constellations will already have disappeared!

Don't worry Blau, they'll come back.

If you get to a Galway meeting perhaps someone will have a laser collimater they can lend to you, I've never used one but I've heard they're very good.

Whatever happens I hope you're under the stars very soon.