4. The recurring astronomical theater we call the night sky is an ever-changing billboard. In other words, not the
same movie plays all the time. Rather, the positions of the stars change not only hourly as they seem to rise
and set, but also throughout the year. As the earth orbits the sun our perspective on the stars changes on a
yearly cycle about that orbit. The reason the sky seems to move daily just as the sun and the moon ”move”
across our sky, is that the earth is rotating about its axis. As a result you may notice that after a few minutes
or a few seconds depending on what power you are viewing at, the objects in your telescope will move. At
higher magnifications especially, you will notice that the moon or Jupiter will ”race” right out of the field of
view. To compensate, just move the fine adjustment controls on your telescope to ”track” it in the necessary
path.
Helpfull Hints
1. Your telescope is a very sensitive instrument. For best results and fewer vibrations set your telescope up on a
level location on the ground rather than your concrete driveway or your wooden desk. This will provide a
more stable foundation for viewing, especially if you’ve drawn a crowd with your new telescope.
2. If possible view from a location that has relatively few lights. This will allow you to see much fainter objects.
You’d be surprised how much more you’ll see from your local lake or park when compared to a backyard in
the city.
3. Using your telescope out a window is NEVER recommended.
4. View objects that are high in the sky if possible. Waiting until the object rises well above the horizon will provi-
de a brighter and crisper image. Objects on the horizon are viewed through several layers of earth’s
atmosphere. Ever wonder why the moon appears orange as it sets on the horizon. It’s because you are looking
through a considerable more amount of atmosphere than you would directly overhead. (Note: If objects high in
the sky are distorted or wavy, you are probably viewing on a very humid night.) During nights of unstable
atmosphere, viewing through a telescope can be frustrating if not impossible. Astronomers refer to crisp, cle-
ar nights as nights of ”good seeing”.
5. Sudden changes of temperature
If possible you should avoid to take your telescope from the cold outside temperature into the room tempera-
ture. This will cover the lenses with condensed moisture, a condition, that has to be corrected immediately. To
do this, place the lens at a safe distance from a source of heat and increase the heating slowly, until the moi-
sture disappears. If any stains are left on the lenses, these have to be removed after the lenses are fully dried.
In cold weather the telescope should be placed outdoors at least one and a half hours before you want to use
it.
6
00062561bda 08.04.2002 15:48 Uhr Seite 6
