5
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.”
Possible Objects For Observation:
Terrestrial Objects
To view terrestrial objects, install the diagonal into the focuser, insert
the H20mm eyepiece into the diagonal and turn the focuser until
the image is clear. After mastering the H20mm eyepiece, switch to
the H12.5mm eyepiece and practice scanning and focusing. Choose
several terrestrial objects to practice focusing on — such as the
ones pictured on the right. As you are exploring, NEVER point your
telescope at or near the Sun due to serious risk of blindness.
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.
Simulated images
The Moon
H20mm
H12.5mm
H20mm
H12.5mm
Terrestrial Images
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
