Eye Pain

Folks-

Having just purchased a new Orion XT8 Dob last month (my 1st scope), I've noticed that after 1/2 hour or more of observing my eyes hurt the next day. Is this something others experience?

-Chas

Never heard that one before. However, eye strain can result from focusing error. To prevent that, Avoid "rocking" the focus back and forth when looking for the sharpest focus. Try to home in on the best focus from the outside, i.e. rack the focuser out and then slowly rack it in until the image is in sharp focus. This prevents your eye from snapping the image into focus when the telescope is, in fact, not focused, in which case it is like looking at an object close to your face--hence the strain. Hope that helps.
--
Mike

Chas

Were you observing the moon by any chance with out a filter? When I got my first scope a Meade ETX 90 I looked at the waxing second quarter moon the next day I thought my eye would never be the same.

Paul

Thanks everyone; I found an eye patch at the local Drug store for $2.19!! Such a deal...

-Chas