Trobleshooting the Galileoscope

Problem: The view in the Galileoscope is upside down.

Solution: The view in astronomical telescopes is frequently upside down. In order to create a right side up image, you would need to add another lens. Each lens absorbs some light. Since astronomers are interested in observing faint objects, they deal with upside down images. Besides, there is no up or down in space!

Problem: The focuser tube does not slide smoothly.

Solution: Be sure you used the small O-rings to secure the focuser tube. The large O-rings cause extra friction making the tube difficult to slide.

Problem: The two halves of the main tube do not fit together properly or there is a gap in the seam on the bottom of the main tube.

Solution: The nut needs to be placed into its slot properly. Look closely and you will see the slot is v-shaped. One point of the nut must point into the v-shape. If a flat side is toward the v-shaped slot, the nut will keep the two halves from fitting together properly.

Problem: The Telescope won't focus.

Solution: There are several potential causes of focus problems. First, be sure you are not trying to focus on a very nearby object. Galileoscope has a near focus point of about 20 feet. Be sure you are focusing on an object at least 20 feet or more away.

The small lenses come with tissue paper on them. Closely examine the eyepiece lens and be sure all the tissue paper has been removed from the small eyepiece lenses.

You also need to check the eyepiece assembly. Be sure all lenses are inserted correctly, including the objective lens.

Finally, move the focuser tube in and out slowly and explore the full range of motion. If you move it too quickly, you might move pass the focus point too quickly and miss it. If you do not move the focuser tube all the way in and out, you may not move far enough to find the focus point. If you are looking at a nearby object, the focuser tube should be pulled farther out. If you are looking at a distant object, you should push the focuser tube in.

At night, always be sure to focus on a bright star, planet or the Moon first. It is more difficult to focus on faint objects.

Focusing with the Barlow lens is more difficult. You have a smaller field of view so the object is more difficult to find. The range where you have a good focus is much smaller with the Barlow so move the focuser tube very slowly when using the Barlow lens.

Problem: I can find objects with the Plossl eyepiece but not when I use the Barlow lens.

Solution: The field of view of the Barlow lens is only half as wide as the which means you are looking at a much smaller portion of the sky. With the Galileoscope on a tripod, find the object with the Plossl lens first. Leave the telescope pointing at the same point on the sky and replace the Plossl lens with the Barlow assembly.