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Learn More About Astronomy
Visit these web sites to learn more about astronomy and the objects
you see in the night sky:
• http://www.nasa.gov
NASA’s official web site.
•
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forkids/home/index.html
NASA’s link with information for students
• http://www.nasm.si.edu
The web site of the National Air and Space Museum at the
Smithsonian Institute
• http://www.space.com
Astronomy web site with interesting links, including a sky calendar
listing what’s visible in the sky each night
• http://skyandtelescope.com
Astronomy web site with useful information, including a customizable
sky chart where you can type in your zip code for a map of the night sky
• http://cosmobrain.com
Astronomy web site with excellent links, including an astronomical
calendar listing what’s visible in the night sky and an “astrolinks“
section to many other outstanding sites
Caring for Your Telescope
Take good care of your Vega 360 and it will provide you with many
hours of viewing excitement.
Storage
Your Vega 360’s compact, easy-to-assemble design makes storing it in
its box simple. If you wish to store your Vega 360 fully assembled,
cover it with heavy plastic to protect it from moisture, and ensure that
the dust cap and lens covers are on. Accessories should be stored
separately in a box, with all their dust caps on.
Optics
Optical components of a telescope will get dirty over time. However,
a considerable amount of dirt or dust must be present on the optical
surface before you will notice the effect visually. Follow these
suggestions to maintain your telescope’s optics in the best possible
condition:
1. Keep the dust caps on during storage of the telescope to reduce the
amount of dust collected.
2. After using the telescope there may be condensation on the
optical surfaces. When the telescope is brought inside, remove
the dust caps and allow the moisture to evaporate naturally.
Point the optical tube downwards so as to minimize the
collection of airborne dust. Once the moisture has evaporated,
replace the dust caps.
3. A small amount of dust on optical surfaces, does not need to be
removed. A build-up of dirt or dust collected onto a lens should
only be removed with the utmost care. If you wish to remove a
build-up of dust from the lenses, you should first try using a can
of filtered compressed air. Remove the dust cap and the dew
shield. Once you are able to freely blow across the surface of the
optics, begin by first pointing the can away from the piece and
gently expel some air. This will remove any condensate in the air
can lines and clear off dust that may have accumulated on the
discharge tube. Next, using short quick bursts of air carefully
remove the dust particles.
Do not hold the trigger of the
compressed air for too long as condensate might be blown out
across the optical surface.
The optics of your telescope should last a long time before they generally
require major cleaning. By keeping the dust caps on and avoiding the
temptation to handle the lenses, you will find that very little is needed in
the way of optical maintenance.
