eras and have “false color” added. Our eyes are not sensitive enough to see color in
Remember that you are seeing these objects using your own telescope with your own eyes! The object you see in your eye- piece is in
Objects to Observe
Now that you are all set up and ready to go, one critical deci- sion must be made: what to look at?
A. The Moon
With its rocky surface, the Moon is one of the easiest and most interesting targets to view with your telescope. Lunar craters, marias, and even mountain ranges can all be clearly seen from a distance of 238,000 miles away! With its ever- changing phases, you’ll get a new view of the Moon every night. The best time to observe our one and only natural satel- lite is during a partial phase, that is, when the Moon is NOT full. During partial phases, shadows are cast on the surface, which reveal more detail, especially right along the border between the dark and light portions of the disk (called the “ter- minator”). A full Moon is too bright and devoid of surface shad- ows to yield a pleasing view. Make sure to observe the Moon when it is well above the horizon to get the sharpest images.
Use an optional Moon filter to dim the Moon when it is very bright. It simply threads onto the bottom of the eyepieces (you must first remove the eyepiece from the focuser to attach a fil- ter). You’ll find that the Moon filter improves viewing comfort, and also helps to bring out subtle features on the lunar sur- face.
B. The Planets
The planets don’t stay put like the stars, so to find them you should refer to Sky Calendar at our website (telescope.com), or to charts published monthly in Astronomy, Sky & Tele- scope, or other astronomy magazines. Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn are the brightest objects in the sky after the Sun and the Moon. Your SpaceProbe 3 EQ is capable of showing you these planets in some detail. Other planets may be visible but will likely appear
JUPITER: The largest planet, Jupiter, is a great subject for observation. You can see the disk of the giant planet and watch the
SATURN: The ringed planet is a breathtaking sight when it is well positioned. The tilt angle of the rings varies over a period of many years; sometimes they are seen
VENUS: At its brightest, Venus is the most luminous object in the sky, excluding the Sun and the Moon. It is so bright that sometimes it is visible to the naked eye during full daylight! Ironically, Venus appears as a thin crescent, not a full disk, when at its peak brightness. Because it is so close to the Sun, it never wanders too far from the morning or evening horizon. No surface markings can be seen on Venus, which is always shrouded in dense clouds.
MARS: The Red Planet makes its closest approach to Earth every two years. During close approaches you’ll see a red disk, and may be able to see the polar ice cap.
C. The Stars
Stars will appear like twinkling points of light. Even powerful telescopes cannot magnify stars to appear as more than a point of light. You can, however, enjoy the different colors of the stars and locate many pretty double and multiple stars. The famous
D. Deep-Sky Objects
Under dark skies, you can observe a wealth of fascinating
To find deep sky objects in the sky, it is best to consult a star chart or Planisphere. These guides will help you locate the brightest and best
7. Care and Maintenance
If you give your telescope reasonable care, it will last a life- time. Store it in a clean, dry, dust free place, safe from rapid changes in temperature and humidity. Do not store the tele- scope outdoors, although storage in a garage or shed is OK. Small components like eyepieces and other accessories should be kept in a protective box or storage case. Keep the caps on the front of the telescope and on the focuser draw- tube when not in use.
10