Orion 9909, 9549, 9541 Viewing Hints, D. The Stars, E. Deep-Sky Objects, Light Pollution

and Saturn are the brightest objects in the sky after the Sun and the Moon. Your TableTop is capable of showing you these planets in some detail. Other planets may be visible but will likely appear star-like. Because planets are quite small in apparent size, optional higher-power eyepieces are recom- mended and often needed for detailed observations. Not all the planets are generally visible at any one time.

JUPITER: The largest planet, Jupiter, is a great subject for observation. You can see the disk of the giant planet and watch the ever-changing positions of its four largest moons – Io, Callisto, Europa, and Ganymede.

SATURN: The ringed planet is a breathtaking sight when it is well positioned. The tilt angle of the rings varies over a peri- od of many years; sometimes they are seen edge-on, while at other times they are broadside and look like giant “ears” on each side of Saturn’s disk. A steady atmosphere (good seeing) is necessary for a good view. You will probably see a bright “star” close by, which is Saturn’s brightest moon, Titan.

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.

D. 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 gorgeous two-color double star Albireo in Cygnus is a favorite. Defocusing a star slightly can help bring out hints of color.

E. Deep-Sky Objects

Under dark skies, you can observe a wealth of fascinating deep-sky objects, including gaseous nebulas, open and glob- ular star clusters, and a variety of different types of galax- ies. Most deep-sky objects are very faint, so it is important that you find an observing site well away from light pollution. Take plenty of time to let your eyes adjust to the darkness. Do not expect these subjects to appear like the photographs you see in books and magazines; most will look like dim gray smudges. Our eyes are not sensitive enough to see color in deep-sky objects except in a few of the brightest ones. But as you become more experienced and your observing skills get sharper, you will be able to ferret out more and more subtle details and structure.

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 deep-sky objects for viewing with your TableTop.

You can also try low-power scanning of the Milky Way. Use the 20mm eyepiece and just cruise through the “star clouds” of our galaxy. You’ll be amazed at the rich fields of stars and objects you’ll see! The Milky Way is best observed on summer and winter evenings.

Viewing Hints

Amateur astronomy can be an entertaining and educa- tional activity for the entire family. Astronomy is also a seri- ous scientific pursuit. As with any science you will achieve the best results by following some basic guidelines. These recommendations will assist you in getting the most out of your new telescope. This is just a sample of suggested tech- niques; for more helpful tips please visit the Learning Center at OrionTelescopes.com.

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, wash- ing 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 pollution. 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 extensive sup- port materials can show you how. Help preserve dark skies, join the IDA today! For information, write to IDA, 3225 N. First Ave., Tucson, AZ 85719-2103 or visit their website: www.darksky.org.

The best way to avoid immediate problems with light pollu- tion, however, is to take your 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.

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