Image of the day

Captured by
Ralph Ford

M33 Center Crop

My Account

New to Astromart?

Register an account...

Need Help?

What is the distraction I see in the EP?

Started by sjoback, 04/22/2005 08:31PM
Posted 04/22/2005 08:31PM Opening Post
I am having a small distraction in the EP when using my telescope. I was hoping somebody could help ID it for me.

Basically it behaves like a floater, but it is a light source. At first I thought I had a bug flying around, but I realize it seems to be some kind of reflected light. It kind of dances around the EP FOV.

Am I just seeing light reflected off of my eye? Or some kind of scatter? I notice this on Saturn and Jupiter (not sure of dimmer objects, haven't had the scope out in a couple weeks).

I am using a Pentax EP with the eyecup on a refractor.

any input is appreciated as I am most confused (and annoyed)
Posted 04/23/2005 12:55AM #1
It sounds like a reflection off of your eye, which can happen with certain combinations of individual observer's eye and eyepiece. Is this happening with only the one Pentax ep? Does it happen with any other eyepieces?
Posted 04/23/2005 06:19AM #2
This could be an internal reflection in the EP or an external reflection on the lens from your eye or another object.
Try putting a towel over your head or some other cloth. If it disappears then it is a reflection off your eye most likely. If it does not then it is an internal reflection.

[SIZE="Large"][/SIZE][COLOR="Blue"][/COLOR] Floyd Blue grin
Amateur Imager
Posted 04/26/2005 05:16AM #3
Thank you David, James, Floyd, Rob, and Jim.

I believe it is just a reflection off of my eye. I had my setup out again tonight and the reflection was not there. I will have to pay attention and see if I can tell what the light source might be.

I do remember the firefly dancing a whole bunch when moving my eye, that is correct, but at the time I didn't remember any particular light source that may have caused this problem.

Perhaps my eyes were more teary at the time, then they were tonight. Or the neighbors light was on....

At any rate, I appreicate all of the input I received - I think I can rest easy now!