So you have a new telescope! You will no doubt spend some of the day putting it all together and getting ready for your first night under the stars. There is a problem with this though. As all amateur astronomers know, telescope suppliers pack the equipment in large cardboard boxes which are then filled with clouds to cushion the scope during transit. These clouds are then released when you open the box so do not expect to see any clear night skies for a few days after buying your new equipment. Joking apart, once you have put the telescope together there is one job you should really do while it is still daylight. You need to align the finder scope with the main telescope so you can aim the telescope and find objects in the night sky easily. Finder scopes tend to be of two types, one you look through like a very small telescope and another, which is similar, known as a red dot finder. The simple finder scope looks like a small telescope fastened to the tube near the end you look through. It usually has cross-hairs in it so you can aim it accurately, whereas the red dot finder has a light which shines a red dot onto a screen in front of the target. Although slightly different, both perform the same function. The easiest way to set it up is to find an object outside your home which is as far away as possible. An aerial or chimney on a distant rooftop or a distinctive tree on the horizon would be ideal. Place the eyepiece with the highest number (25mm?) into your telescope and aim it at the target, making sure it is in the middle of your view. Now tighten everything up so the telescope does not move about too much.
The Finder Scope
Once you have done this check through the eyepiece again to make sure the target is still centred, adjust as required. Now look through the finder scope, and using the screws on the outside, adjust it so the cross-hairs or dot are centred on the same target. Once you have done this, check the main telescope through the eyepiece once more to check you have everything centred. Now both finder scope and telescope are aligned ready for use.
Before we start, you will have noticed that your telescope has come with a selection of eyepieces and possibly a Barlow lens. It is these that determines the magnification of the target you are viewing. The most common eyepieces supplied will be something like a 25mm, a 10mm and possibly a 4 or 5mm. A simple rule is, the lower the number, the higher the magnification and the closer in you will see. It is always best to start with a low magnification and if the sky is clear enough you can change eyepieces to get a closer view. If you have a Barlow lens supplied it will probably be either X2 or X3. You simply put your eyepiece in one end, tighten the screw to hold it in place and put the whole thing into your telescope. This increases the magnification by a factor of 2 or 3, depending on the type supplied.
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Now you are ready to go outside. It is best to put your telescope outside 20 to 30 minutes before viewing to allow it to cool down to the ambient temperature. This will allow the air currents inside the tube to settle down and give you a much steadier view. You also need to allow your eyes to adapt to the dark, so no looking at your phone while you wait! When you are ready, point your telescope in the general direction of the object you wish to view, then look through the finder scope and centre it there. If you did everything correctly the target should be in full view, or very close, in the main telescope. One more thing.. Remember we are standing on a globe that is spinning. This means that al the stars, planets, Moon etc appear to move across the night sky. This is magnified when looking through your telescope so any object you are viewing will appear to move. Some telescopes have a tracking system and some are manual. There are also different types of mount or tripods available, so check the manual supplied with your equipment to see what you have. So what is in the sky tonight? Lets start with the obvious.
The Moon
The easiest target is going to be the Moon. I always start with my 25mm eyepiece which will show the whole of the Moon in the viewfinder. The best features will be visible on the top of the Moon so look for the sunlight shining on the mountains of the crescent shaped bay Sinus Iridium. Just to the right of this is the dark floored crater Plato. Then look at the tip of the Moon and admire the craters along the top edge. With the Moon, the terminator (the line between night and day) is always best for showing up craters etc as the shadows stand out more.
Jupiter and Saturn
Start looking at around 4.30pm in the winter months and in the summer much later, just after sunset. Through your telescope you should see Saturn’s rings and some of Jupiter’s moons. Through our scopes the planets are quite small but if you use a high magnification eyepiece (smaller number in mm) you should be able to see up to four of Jupiter's moons in a line either side of the planet and also spot Titan, Saturn’s largest moon.
The other three 'naked eye' planets, Venus, Mars and Mercury are available to observe at various times of the year (morning or evenings), just consult Google, entering something like 'Venus in the night sky' or similar, or go to 'Time and Date.com'
The Orion Nebula
One of my favourites. This nebula is also known as M42, it can be seen much of the year but is at its most visible in the evening sky from January to April. It spends its summer vacation in the Southern Hemisphere.
The Pleiades
Another favourite of mine. This should be stunning on any night of the year. Also known as the Seven Sisters because of its seven stars that are visible to the naked eye. Through the telescope a low magnification (25mm) will show it in all it’s stunning beauty.
The Pleiades found in the constellation of Taurus
The Double Cluster in Perseus
This can be found between the W shaped Cassiopeia and the upside-down Y of Perseus. Even your lowest magnification will give you a great view of the these clusters shining side by side. Higher magnification will show they have too many stars to count.
The Pereus Double Cluster
Sirius
Finally we come to Sirius (also colloquially known as the "Dog Star"), the brightest star in the sky. It is easy to find, Orion’s Belt points straight down to it. Because it is a star and not a planet with a disc, it will always look like just a point of light in your telescope but it is still worth a look as it’s flashing and twinkling in red, blue and gold is a sight to behold.
Also, look out for the open star cluster known as M41 (a few degrees below). The cluster covers an area about the size of the full Moon and contains about 100 stars, including several bright red giants (they appear orange as do all red giants).
The cluster is sometimes referred to as the 'Little Beehive Cluster'
Find Sirius
Have fun!
Paul
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