Using your telescope, Aligning the EZ Finder

To use the EZ Finder II, turn the power knob clockwise until you hear a “click” indicating that power has been turned on. With your eye positioned at a comfortable distance, look through the back of the reflex sight with both eyes open to see the red dot. The intensity of the dot can be adjusted by turn- ing the power knob. For best results when stargazing, use the dimmest possible setting that allows you to see the dot with- out difficulty. Typically, a dim setting is used under dark skies and a bright setting is used under light-polluted skies or in daylight.

At the end of your observing session, be sure to turn the power knob counterclockwise until it clicks off. When the two white dots on the EZ Finder II’s rail and power knob are lined up, the EZ Finder II is turned off.

Aligning the EZ Finder II

When the EZ Finder II is properly aligned with the telescope, an object that is centered on the EZ Finder II’s red dot should also appear in the center of the field of view of the telescope’s eyepiece. Alignment of the EZ Finder II is easiest during day- light, before observing at night. Aim the telescope at a distant object at least 1/4 mile away, such as a telephone pole or chimney and center it in the telescope’s eyepiece. Now, turn the EZ Finder II on and look through it. The object will appear in the field of view near the red dot.

Note: Remember that the image in the eyepiece of the StarBlast will be upside-down (rotated 180°). This is nor- mal for Newtonian reflector telescopes.

Without moving the telescope, use the EZ Finder II’s azimuth (left/right) and altitude (up/down) adjustment knobs to position the red dot on the object in the eyepiece.

When the red dot is centered on the distant object, check to make sure that the object is still centered in the telescope’s field of view. If not, recenter it and adjust the EZ Finder II’s alignment again. When the object is centered in the eyepiece and on the red dot, the EZ Finder II is properly aligned with the telescope. Figure 7 shows how the view through the EZ Finder may look while you are aligning it.

Once aligned, EZ Finder II will usually hold its alignment even after being removed and remounted. Otherwise, only minimal realignment will be needed.

Figure 7. The EZ Finder II superimposes a tiny red dot on the sky, showing right where the telescope is pointed.

Replacing the EZ Finder II Battery

Replacement 3-volt lithium batteries for the EZ Finder II are available from many retail outlets. Remove the old battery by inserting a small flat-head screwdriver into the slot on the bat- tery casing (Figure 6) and gently prying open the case. Then carefully pull back on the retaining clip and remove the old battery. Do not overbend the retaining clip. Slide the new bat- tery under the battery lead with the positive (+) side facing down and replace the battery casing.

Using your telescope

Choosing an Observing Site

When selecting a location for observing, get as far away as possible from direct artificial light such as street lights, porch lights, and automobile headlights. The glare from these lights will greatly impair your dark-adapted night vision. Avoid view- ing over rooftops and chimneys, as they often have warm air currents rising from them. Similarly, avoid observing from indoors through an open (or closed) window, because the temperature difference between the indoor and outdoor air will cause image blurring and distortion.

If at all possible, escape the light-polluted city sky and head for darker country skies. You’ll be amazed at how many more stars and deep-sky objects are visible in a dark sky!

Light Pollution

Most of us live where city lights interfere with our view of the heavens. As our metropolitan areas have become more developed, the scourge of light pollution has spread, washing out many stars and nonstellar celestial objects from our sight. Faint deep sky objects become difficult or impossible to see through the murk of light pol- lution. Even bright nebulas like the Orion and Lagoon Nebulas lose much of their delicate detail. The Moon and planets are not affected; they require steady air more than dark skies, so they remain good targets for city- dwelling observers.

The International Dark-Sky Association is waging the fight against light pollution. The IDSA was founded in 1988 with the mission of educating the public about the adverse impact that light pollution has on the night sky and astronomy. Through educational and scientific means, the nonprofit IDA works to raise awareness about the problem and about measures that can be taken to solve it.

Do you need help dealing with local officials to control street or building lighting in your area? The IDA’s exten- sive support materials can show you how. Help preserve dark skies, join the IDA today! For information, write to IDA, 3225 N. First Ave., Tuscon, AZ 85719-2103 or visit their website: www.darksky.org.

The best way to avoid immediate problems with light pol- lution, however, is to take you telescope to where there are dark skies. You will be amazed at how many stars you can see when you get away from the city lights.