Explore One STAR50APP, Instruction Manual

8

Observing Tips: 

Star hopping

Star hopping is a technique used by amateur astronomers to navigate the night sky. By using easily 
recognizable constellations and asterisms as a guide, an observer can locate stars and other objects.

For example, Polaris, which is commonly referred to as The North Star, can be located quickly using 
star hopping. First, find the Big Dipper asterism in the Ursa Major constellation. The popular pattern is 
defined by seven stars, and the two stars on the front edge of the Big Dipper’s “bowl” are Merak and 
Dubhe. Next, draw an imaginary line from the bottom star (Merak) on this front edge through the top 
star (Dubhe) on the front edge. Follow the line to the first bright star you see. That should be Polaris. 
Finally, to verify your finding, locate the Little Dipper asterism. Polaris is the anchor star at the end of 
the Little Dipper’s “handle.” 

Image credit: Howard Eskildsen

Note: Images are for illustration purposes only. Quality of your image may very depending upon atmospheric conditions and location.

Possible Objects for Observation: 

What you can observe at any one time in your telescope 
depends on several factors beyond aperture and magnification. 
These factors include location, date, time and sky conditions. 
The following are all objects that can be seen with the unaided 
eye and/or binoculars. Your telescope can enhance views of any 
of these objects if the observing conditions are right.

The Moon:
Diameter:

 3,476 km

Distance:

 Approximately 384,401 km

The Moon is the Earth’s only natural satellite, and it is the 
second brightest object in the sky (after the Sun). Although it 
is our closest neighbor, a lot of people have never really taken 
a good long like at the Moon. With your telescope, you should 
be able to see several interesting lunar features. These include 
lunar maria, which appear as vast plains, and some of the larger 
craters. The best views will be found along the terminator, which 
is the edge where the visible and shadowed portions of the 
Moon meet.

BIG DIPPER

LITTLE DIPPER

POLAR STAR

CASSIOPEIA

Caph

Zeta

Beta

Kochab

Pherkad

Gamma

Eta

Epsilon

Delta

Alpha

Shedar

Cih

Ksora

Segin

Alkaid

Alcor

Mizar

Alioth

Megrez

Phecda

Merak

Dubhe

Note: The positioning of the Big Dipper in relation to the Little Dipper does not change, but the 

orientation of both in the night sky will rotate throughout the year due to the motion of the Earth.