4. Using the Telescope
With the telescope aligned on the pole, you are now ready to start your observations.
4.1.Getting familiar with you mount and telescope
Before observing a celestial object, looking at terrestrial objects during the day provides a good exercise on how to operate the mount and telescope.
4.2. Star observation
First of all you will need to choose an object that is easy to find. The Moon or a bright star is a good target to start with.
1.Slightly loose the telescope's Right Ascension locking knob (14) and the Declination locking knob (12), located close to the Declination adjustment ring (13). By applying slight pressure by hand, the telescope should now move freely along its two axes.
2.Move the telescope along R.A. and Dec axes and using the aligned finderscope to find the Moon. With the object centered in the finderscope's cross hairs, retighten the R.A. and Dec. knobs.
3.The Moon should be visible somewhere within the FOV of main telescope. Focus the image by adjusting the focusing knob (26). Center the Moon by adjusting the mount using RA and DEC control cable (27, 28).
4.You’ll find that the object immediately starts to shift across the FOV. This motion is due to the earth rotation. To "track" the object and keep it in the FOV, turn the cable that controls R.A. slow motion (27). Objects will appear to move faster at higher magnifications. The Declination control cable (28) is only used for centering the object and not for tracking.
4.3.Observation Tips
air and degrades the images seen through the telescope. Avoid viewing over rooftops and chimneys, as they often have warm air currents rising from them. 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. Furthermore, it is preferable to let your telescope reach outside ambient (surrounding) temperature before starting an observation cycle.
Wait a few minutes to allow your eyes to become used to the darkness before attempting any serious observations. Use a flashlight with a red filter to preserve your night vision when looking at star maps or checking telescope parts.
Avoid touching the eyepiece during observation. Vibration generated by this contact may cause the view to move. Also avoid observing from locations where terrestrial vibrations are significant. Observing from the upper floors of buildings may also cause the images vibrating.
Warning! Never attempt to observe the sun through your telescope without a proper solar filter. Observing the sun, even for a fraction of a second, may cause immediate and irreversible harm to your eye as well as physical damage to the telescope.
Some atmospheres may deform the image that you are observing. Planets in particular, when observed low on the horizon, often present a fuzziness – the same object when observed at a higher altitude in the sky may benefit from far better definition and a far higher degree of contrast. Furthermore, air turbulence in the upper layers of the atmosphere may cause "trembling" to affect the view observed through the eyepiece. In this case, reduce the magnification factor until the picture stabilizes. Keep in mind that even a small sized but bright and well defined image will reveal far more interesting details than a larger, but less bright and slightly fuzzy, view.
4.4. How to use setting circles
Understanding the Setting Circles
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
The setting circles on an equatorial mount enable you to locate celestial objects by their “celestial coordinates”. The R.A. and Dec. values for celestial objects can be found in any star atlas or star catalog.
Having trouble setting up or making it work? Email us at 900X70@ioptron.com We’ll be glad to help!
10
