The popular and more familiar constellations often provide the easiest landmarks to help find the planet’s locations and paths of orbit. Most people have looked up at the sky at night and seen some of the planets without even realizing it. A planet looks like a bright star but does not twinkle like a star does; it looks like a tiny ball. Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn are the easiest planets to view. Mercury is dimmer, usually below the horizon, and more challenging to find.

Each of the planets provides interesting views. Venus is covered with clouds so all that is visible is an extremely bright light, the brightest next to the moon. However, Venus, like the moon, goes through phases. As it travels around the sun, different areas of its surface are illuminated, producing crescent shapes of varying sizes. Mars is the red planet. When it is above the horizon, it is noticeably red and stands out like a beacon in the night sky. The apparent brightness of Mars varies as the planet orbits around the sun and throughout its period of visiblity, it will look brighter or dimmer depending on its distance from Earth.

Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system and the second brightest next to Venus. Jupiter has many moons, four of which are often visible through your telescope when viewing conditions permit. As you watch them throughout the evening, you will see that they change position relative to each other and to Jupiter. It is possible with careful planning to actually see one of the moons disappear either in front of or behind Jupiter as it orbits around the planet. Another great feature of Jupiter is its cloud belt.

Jupiter is alive with weather activity and its clouds have formed over time into belts visible through telescopes in the right atmospheric conditions.

Saturn, the second largest planet, is not as bright as Jupiter and so its moons are not as visible through small telescopes. The large rings that encircle Saturn are spectacular to observe, however. The planet and its rings appear pale yellow. The major division in the rings, the Cassini division, is possible to see if you keep the telescope firmly in position.

Uranus and Neptune are the last of the solar system’s gas giants. They do not provide as spectacular a sight as Jupiter or Saturn, but are nonetheless rewarding to see.

Beyond our solar system there are many more objects to be found. Galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters abound!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1) How far can I see?

If you stand outside and look up at the night sky on a clear evening, you can see hundreds of stars without the aid of your telescope. The telescope is a light-gathering instrument that magnifies the view — providing significantly more detail and unveiling more stars, nebulae, and celestial objects. With the aid of a telescope, you will be able to enjoy exciting views of Saturn’s rings, Jupiter’s major moons, the Orion Nebula, and much more.

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National Geographic NG90EQ owner manual Frequently Asked Questions, How far can I see?

NG90EQ specifications

The National Geographic NG90EQ is a premium-quality, fully-equipped equatorial telescope that provides amateur astronomers and enthusiasts with an exceptional viewing experience. This powerful telescope is ideal for both planetary observation and deep-sky tracking, making it a versatile addition to any stargazer's collection.

One of the standout features of the NG90EQ is its impressive 90mm aperture. This large lens collects ample light, allowing for bright and detailed images of celestial bodies. With a focal length of 900mm, the telescope offers a focal ratio of f/10, which is well-suited for high-magnification observation. This design ensures that users can easily spot planets like Jupiter and Saturn, as well as a variety of stars and nebulae.

The NG90EQ is equipped with an equatorial mount, an essential component for tracking celestial objects as they move across the night sky. This mount allows users to precisely align the telescope with the North Star, simplifying the process of finding and following planets and stars. The included setting circles further assist in locating astronomical objects, making it easier for newcomers to explore the night sky.

Another notable characteristic of the NG90EQ is its user-friendly design. The telescope features an adjustable, ergonomic tripod that provides stability and supports easy height adjustment. With an optical finderscope, users can quickly locate objects before zooming in with the main telescope. The scope also includes high-quality eyepieces, offering multiple magnification options for varied viewing experiences.

Durability is a key aspect of the NG90EQ, as it is built with robust materials that withstand regular use. Its compact design makes it portable, perfect for taking to dark sky locations away from city lights. The telescope's ease of assembly means that novice astronomers can set it up in a matter of minutes, encouraging exploration and learning.

In summary, the National Geographic NG90EQ telescope stands out due to its excellent optical performance, user-friendly features, and sturdy construction. With its equatorial mount and quality optics, this telescope is perfect for discovering the wonders of the universe, making it a fantastic choice for both beginners and seasoned astronomers alike.