Mead model ds-2114ats-tc telescope will not focus clearly.?

Hey all, I just got a new mead model ds-2114ats-tc telescope. I set it up in the day light and started to look at some trees far away. I could not get the tree I was looking at to focus very well. So I took it out and looked at some stars they started to come into focus in fact half the star would start to focuse and the rest was a blur. Same thing with the planet Venus. half the plant was round BUT the rest is just a blur. I was told by a friend of mine mt spider mirror could be out of adjustment. Could this be causing this? The telescope was brand new. I just can't get any thing to come in clearly.

Mead model ds-2114ats-tc telescope will not focus clearly.?
It sounds as if the telescope is out of collimation. You will need to adjust the alignment of the mirrors. There should be instructions in the manual for doing this, though it helps to have someone with experience show you how to do it. If you bought it at a telescope store, as I always recommend, someone in the store can help you, but if you bought it at a department or discount store, you're out of luck. Try to find a local astronomy club, and see if one of their members can help you. There's a good list of clubs here:

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/community...
Reply:Sure does sound like a Collimation Problem!

Getting help from an Astronomy club is a great way to go. But this is a procedure performed routinely by owners of Reflecting Telescopes.

So, even if you HAVE to do it alone, you can do it. But it is much easier if you see it done first and then try your own hand at it.

While the procedure is always a little intimidating to newcomers, it is really not very difficult. The first time you try it on your own it might take 1/2 hour or even more, but that soon turns into a minute or so, once you get a little practice.



Adolph