G

 

GoTo

Term used to refer to a computerized telescope or to the act of slewing (moving) a computerized

J -

telescope

 

Jovian Planets

Any of the four gas giant planets that are at a greater distance form the sun than the terrestrial

 

planets.

K -

 

Kuiper Belt

A region beyond the orbit of Neptune extending to about 1000 AU which is a source of many short

L -

period comets.

 

Light-Year (ly)

A light-year is the distance light traverses in a vacuum in one year at the speed of 299,792 km/ sec.

 

With 31,557,600 seconds in a year, the light-year equals a distance of 9.46 X 1 trillion km (5.87 X 1

M -

trillion mi).

 

Magnitude

Magnitude is a measure of the brightness of a celestial body. The brightest stars are assigned

 

magnitude 1 and those increasingly fainter from 2 down to magnitude 5. The faintest star that can be

 

seen without a telescope is about magnitude 6. Each magnitude step corresponds to a ratio of 2.5 in

 

brightness. Thus a star of magnitude 1 is 2.5 times brighter than a star of magnitude 2, and 100 times

 

brighter than a magnitude 5 star. The brightest star, Sirius, has an apparent magnitude of -1.6, the

 

full moon is -12.7, and the Sun's brightness, expressed on a magnitude scale, is -26.78. The zero

 

point of the apparent magnitude scale is arbitrary.

Meridian

A reference line in the sky that starts at the North celestial pole and ends at the South celestial pole

 

and passes through the zenith. If you are facing South, the meridian starts from your Southern

 

horizon and passes directly overhead to the North celestial pole.

Messier

A French astronomer in the late 1700’s who was primarily looking for comets. Comets are hazy

 

diffuse objects and so Messier cataloged objects that were not comets to help his search. This

N -

catalog became the Messier Catalog, M1 through M110.

 

Nebula

Interstellar cloud of gas and dust. Also refers to any celestial object that has a cloudy appearance.

North Celestial Pole

The point in the Northern hemisphere around which all the stars appear to rotate. This is caused by

 

the fact that the Earth is rotating on an axis that passes through the North and South celestial poles.

 

The star Polaris lies less than a degree from this point and is therefore referred to as the "Pole Star".

Nova

Although Latin for "new" it denotes a star that suddenly becomes explosively bright at the end of its

O -

life cycle.

 

Open Cluster

One of the groupings of stars that are concentrated along the plane of the Milky Way. Most have an

 

asymmetrical appearance and are loosely assembled. They contain from a dozen to many hundreds

P -

of stars.

 

Parallax

Parallax is the difference in the apparent position of an object against a background when viewed by

 

an observer from two different locations. These positions and the actual position of the object form a

 

triangle from which the apex angle (the parallax) and the distance of the object can be determined if

 

the lenSLTh of the baseline between the observing positions is known and the angular direction of

 

the object from each position at the ends of the baseline has been measured. The traditional method

 

in astronomy of determining the distance to a celestial object is to measure its parallax.

Parfocal

Refers to a group of eyepieces that all require the same distance from the focal plane of the

 

telescope to be in focus. This means when you focus one parfocal eyepiece all the other parfocal

 

eyepieces, in a particular line of eyepieces, will be in focus.

Parsec

The distance at which a star would show parallax of one second of arc. It is equal to 3.26 light-years,

 

206,265 astronomical units, or 30,8000,000,000,000 km. (Apart from the Sun, no star lies within

 

one parsec of us.)

Point Source

An object which cannot be resolved into an image because it to too far away or too small is

 

considered a point source. A planet is far away but it can be resolved as a disk. Most stars cannot

R -

be resolved as disks, they are too far away.

 

Reflector

A telescope in which the light is collected by means of a mirror.

Resolution

The minimum detectable angle an optical system can detect. Because of diffraction, there is a limit

 

to the minimum angle, resolution. The larger the aperture, the better the resolution.

Right Ascension: (RA)

The angular distance of a celestial object measured in hours, minutes, and seconds along the

S -

Celestial Equator eastward from the Vernal Equinox.

 

Sidereal Rate

This is the angular speed at which the Earth is rotating. Telescope tracking motors drive the

 

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Nexstar 80, 60, 102, 130, 114 manual

60, 130, 80, 102, 114 specifications

The Nexstar series telescopes, including the Nexstar 114, 102, 80, 130, and 60 models, represent a significant advancement in amateur astronomy, offering a blend of portability, user-friendly design, and advanced technology. Each model is uniquely tailored to cater to different levels of enthusiasts, from beginners to more experienced stargazers.

The Nexstar 114 boasts a 114mm aperture and a focal length of 1000mm, making it ideal for detailed views of planets and deep-sky objects. Its reflector design allows for higher light gathering capability, ensuring bright and clear images. The telescope features a computerized GoTo mount, allowing users to locate and track celestial objects with ease. Its ergonomic design and lightweight build emphasize portability, making it a great choice for both backyard and remote observing.

Next in the lineup is the Nexstar 102, equipped with a 102mm aperture. This refractor telescope is known for its exceptional color correction and crisp images, particularly for planetary viewing. The 102 is user-friendly, with a sturdy mount and easy setup that appeals to newcomers. Its computerized tracking system simplifies locating celestial bodies, enhancing the observing experience.

The Nexstar 80, with its 80mm aperture, is incredibly compact and travel-friendly, perfect for those who want to explore the night sky on the go. Despite its size, it provides impressive views of the moon and bright planets. The telescope offers a lightweight design and quick setup features, making it an excellent starter telescope for kids and casual stargazers.

For those seeking a larger aperture, the Nexstar 130 features a 130mm aperture that delivers stunning views of a variety of celestial objects. With a focal length of 650mm, this compact telescope excels in observing both planets and deep-sky objects. Its GoTo mount provides automated tracking, making it a favorite among intermediate users who desire a bit more capability without extensive setup.

Finally, the Nexstar 60 is an entry-level model that combines affordability with efficiency. With a 60mm aperture, it’s lightweight and extremely portable, perfect for casual observations. It’s equipped with a simple mount and straightforward controls, making it an ideal choice for children or those new to astronomy.

Overall, the Nexstar series telescopes are designed with advanced optics, computerized mounts, and user-friendly interfaces, making them suitable for a wide range of users, from novices to more experienced astronomers. Whether you are looking for ease of portability or more advanced features, there is a Nexstar model tailored to meet your needs and enhance your stargazing experience.