Bresser First Light MAK, Instruction Manual

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Niemals mit dem Teleskop in oder in die Nähe der Sonne blicken: E
rblindungsgEfahr
!
14 14
OBSERVATION
The parallactic home position
1. Balance the mount; if necessary, adjust the height of the tripod legs.
2. Loosen the RA clamp (33, Figure 1d). Swivel the tube until the counter-
weight rod points directly to the ground (see also Fig. 16a and 16b).
3. If you have not already done so, align the entire telescope assembly
so that the tripod leg, under the counterweight rod, faces (approxima-
tely) north. Then open the DEC clamp (33, Fig 1d) so that the optical
tube (10, Fig 1a) can be swivelled. Now turn the tube until it points to
the north and ideally to the North Star (Polaris). Then close the clamps
again. More information on finding the North Star in the accompanying
booklet (download via link on p. 2).
4. If you have not already done so, determine the latitude of your observa-
tion location. Use the latitude adjustment screws (27, Fig 1d) to adjust
the telescope mount so that the pointer points exactly to the correct
latitude of your observing site on the latitude scale (28, Fig 1d). More
information on latitude determination in the accompanying booklet
(download via link on p. 2).
5. If steps 1 through 4 have been performed reasonably accurately, your
telescope is now sufficiently well aligned with Polaris, the North Star,
and you can begin making observations.
Once the mount has been aligned with the polar star as described above,
it is not necessary to adjust the latitude setting again, unless you move
your observation to a completely different geographical location (different
latitude setting required).
IMPORTANT NOTE:
For almost all astronomical observing requirements, approximate estimates
of latitude are quite acceptable. So don't let excessive attention to the
exact position of the polar star take away the joy of your telescope.
Fig 18a: The parallactic home posi-
tion, side view
Mount in the
balance
bring
Align the tripod leg under
the counterweight rod,
facing north.
Align the tube
to the north
Align the coun-
terweight rod
so that it points
towards the
floor
North
Fig 18b: The parallactic home
position seen from the north.
ASTRO TIPS
Further studies / accompanying reading
This instruction manual provides only the most important information
on using the telescope. In order to make full use of the manifold possibilities of
the instrument, you should definitely delve deeper into the subject of "astronomy".
For this purpose, we have compiled some helpful information in an accompanying
booklet, which you can download free of charge via the following weblink:
http://www.bresser.de/download/astrowissen
Furthermore, we have listed below topics that are also worth taking a closer look
at. Below you will find a list of books, magazines and organizations that may be
of use to you.
Topics
1. How to measure the distance of a star? What exactly is a light year?
2. How were the craters of the moon formed? How old are the earth, moon and sun?
3. What are stars made of? Why do the stars have different colours?
4. Was ist eine „Nova“ oder „Supernova“?
5. What is meant by comets, asteroids, meteors and meteor showers?
6. Was ist ein „Planetarischer Nebel“? What is a "globular cluster"?
7. What does the term "big bang" mean? What is behind the "universe"?
Books
1. Adventure Astronomy by David H. Levy
2. The Great Cosmos Sky Atlas by Axel Mellinger
3. Cosmos Celestial Year by Hans-Ulrich Keller
4. Telescope guide in 4 steps, Oculum Verlag
Magazines
1. Astronomy - THE MAGAZINE
2. Stars and space
Organizations
1. Association of Stargazers e.V. (VdS)
2. astronomie.de , astrotreff.de
This list is only a selection and does not claim to be complete.