National Geographic 80-30114, 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.” 

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

Orion Nebula(M42):

Right ascension: 

05: 35.4 (hours: minutes)

Declination:

 -05: 27 (degrees: minutes)

Distance:

 Approximately 1,344 light years

The Orion Nebula is a vast star-forming region located in the “sword” 

branching off of the famous Orion’s Belt. Also known as Messier 42, 

this diffuse nebula is bright enough to see with the unaided eye — 

although it will only appear as a slightly foggy star. However, with 

your telescope, you can see many of the beautiful details, such as the 

billowing clouds of gas and dust where new stars are being born.

Image credit: NASA, ESA, M. Robberto (Space Telescope Science Institute/ESA) 

and the Hubble Space Telescope Orion Treasury Project Team

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.

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.