power eyepieces, depending on the object, may be needed as well. Take plenty of
time to get used to the dark. Don’t expect these subjects to appear like photo-
graphs in magazines. As you become more experienced, you will see more and
more detail. (Our eyes are not sensitive enough to see color in deep sky objects
except for a few of the brightest ones. ) Use your star atlas to choose deep space
objects for the date and time you are observing.
some Favorite Deep sky objects
Cat# Name
Constellation Description
• AUTUMN
M15
Pegasus
Bright globular cluster with variable stars
M76 Little Dumbbell
Perseus
Planetary nebula irregular
M33 Pinwheel Galaxy
Triangulum Large spiral galaxy (difficult)
M31 Andromeda Galaxy Andromeda Very large galaxy with bright core (low power!)
M34
Perseus
Impressive double star cluster
• WINTER
M1
Crab Nebula
Taurus
Nebula – remains of exploded star
M35
Gemini
Diamond-shaped open star cluster
M37
Auriga
Fine open cluster of about 150 stars
M42 Great Orion Nebula Orion
Bright, detailed nebula – best in the sky
M44 Beehive Cluster
Cancer
Large, bright open cluster
M45 Pleiades
Taurus
Huge open cluster with nebulosity
• SPRING
M104 Sombrero Galaxy
Virgo
Edge on galaxy with dust lanes
M64 Black-eye Galaxy
Coma Beren. Elongated galaxy with dust lanes
M97 Owl Nebula
Ursa Major Irregular planetary nebula
M87 Virgo A
Virgo
Round galaxy with bright core
M51 Whirlpool Galaxy Canes Ven. Spiral galaxy with companion
M81
Ursa Major Bright spiral galaxy with bright core
M82
Ursa Major Irregular galaxy – companion to M81
• SUMMER
M5
Serpens
Splendid, bright globular cluster, very bright
M13 Hercules Cluster
Hercules
Favorite globular star cluster, very bright
M17 Swan Nebula
Sagittarius Beautiful, interestingly-shaped nebula
M20 Trifid Nebula
Sagittarius Bright nebula with prominent dark dust lanes
M8
Lagoon Nebula
Sagittarius Irregular nebula with companion star cluster
M16 Eagle Nebula
Serpen
Nebula with dust lanes and star cluster
M11 Wild Duck Cluster Scutum
Wonderfully dense open star cluster
M6
Butterfly Cluster
Scorpius
Fine, rich open star cluster
M27 Dumbbell Nebula Vulpecula
Irregular planetary nebula
M57 Ring Nebula
Lyra
Dim, beautiful ring-shaped nebula
terrestrial Viewing
Your telescope is capable of focusing on distant terrestrial subjects; however, the
image will be reversed. With the addition of an optional image correcting prism,
your SkyView 90 can be used for all types of terrestrial viewing.
13
12
the Planets
Planets are the brightest objects after the sun and the moon. While the positions
of the stars remain fixed relative to each other, the positions of each planet are
constantly changing. Don’t be disappointed that you can’t tour all the visible
planets when your first get your telescope . . . you must limit yourself to planets
which happen to be well placed for observing at the moment.
Some daily newspapers, the magazines Sky & Telescope and Astronomy, or Abrams
Planetarium Sky Calendar will tell you the location of planets and the times they
are visible. Your SkyView 90 is capable of showing you the planets Venus, Mars,
Jupiter and Saturn in some detail. Other planets may be visible but will likely
appear star-like. Since planets are quite small, optional higher power eyepieces
are recommended and often needed for detailed observations.
JUPITER
The largest planet, Jupiter, is a great subject for the SkyView 90. You can
see the disc of the giant planet, and watch the ever-changing positions of four of
its largest moons – Io, Callisto, Europa, and Ganymede. Higher-power eyepieces
should bring out the cloud bands and perhaps even the Great Red Spot (which
has faded to yellow in recent years).
SATURN
The ringed planet is a breathtaking sight when Saturn is well posi-
tioned. The angle the rings present to the earth varies over a period of many
years . . . sometimes they are seen edge-on and are entirely invisible as they are
in 1995! Other times, they are broadside and easily seen as giant “ears” on each
side of Saturn’s disc. A steady night is necessary. You will probably see a bright
“star” close by, which is Saturn’s brightest moon, Titan.
VENUS
At its brightest, Venus is the brightest object in the sky after the sun and
the moon. It will appear as a thin crescent when at its brightest. It is never seen
too far from the morning or evening horizon, being close to the sun. Sometimes
Venus is even visible to the naked eye during full daylight! No surface markings
can be seen as Venus is always covered with dense clouds.
MARS
The Red Planet makes its closest approach to Earth every two years
(February 1995, March 1997, April 1999). During close approaches you’ll see a red
disc, and may be able to see the polar ice cap. To see surface detail on Mars, you
will need a high power eyepiece and a very steady night!
the stars
Stars will appear like twinkling points of light. Even the more 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 double stars. The famous “Double-
Double” in Lyra and the two-color double star Alberio in Cygnus are favorites.
Deep sky objects
Under dark skies, you can observe fascinating deep sky objects including
Nebulas, Star Clusters, Galaxies, and many more. Many of the objects will appear
as faint smudges or be invisible except under dark skies; higher power or lower
