9
Jupiter, and Saturn are the brightest objects in the sky after the
Sun and the Moon. Other planets may be visible but will likely
appear star-like. Because planets are quite small in apparent
size, optional higher-power eyepieces or a Barlow lens are rec-
ommended and often needed for detailed observations.
B. The Sun
You can change your nighttime telescope into a daytime Sun
viewer by installing an optional full-aperture solar filter over the
front opening of the telescope. The primary attraction is sun-
spots, which change shape, appearance, and location daily.
Sunspots are directly related to magnetic activity in the Sun.
Many observers like to make drawings of sunspots to monitor
how the Sun is changing from day to day.
Important Note: Do not look at the Sun with any optical
instrument without a professionally made solar filter, or per-
manent eye damage could result.
D. The Stars
Stars will appear like twinkling points of light. Even 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 pretty double and multiple stars. The
famous “Double-Double” in the constellation Lyra and the gor-
geous two-color double star Albireo in Cygnus are favorites.
Defocusing a star slightly can help bring out its color.
E. Deep-Sky Objects
Under dark skies, you can observe a wealth of fascinating
deep-sky objects, including gaseous nebulas, open and globu-
lar star clusters, and different types of galaxies. Most deep-sky
objects are very faint, so it is important you find an observing
site well away from light pollution.
To find deep-sky objects with your telescope, you first need
to become reasonably familiar with the night sky. Unless you
know how to recognize the constellation Orion, for instance,
you won’t have much luck locating the Orion Nebula. A simple
planisphere, or star wheel, can be a valuable tool for learning
the constellations and seeing which ones are visible in the sky
on a given night. Once you have identified a few constellations,
a good star chart, atlas, or astronomy app will come in handy
for helping locate interesting deep-sky objects to view within
the constellations.
Do not expect these objects to appear like the photographs
you see in books and on the internet; most will look like dim
gray smudges. Our eyes are not sensitive enough to see color
in deep-sky objects except in a few of the brightest ones. But
as you become more experienced and your observing skills
get sharper, you will be able to ferret out more and more subtle
details and structure.
5. Worthwhile Optional
Accessories
•
Moon Filter – A 1.25" Moon filter will cut down the strong
glare of sunlight reflected from the Moon, making Moon
viewing more comfortable and revealing more surface
detail. The filter threads into the bottom of the Kellner eye-
pieces that came with your telescope
(Figure 13).
•
Barlow Lens – A 2x Barlow lens doubles the magnify-
ing power of any eyepiece it’s used with, giving you a big
power boost to get in closer to your target object. You just
insert it between the diagonal and the eyepiece.
•
Correct-Image Diagonal – Also called an “erect-image”
diagonal, this accessory will provide a correctly oriented
view through the telescope, which is recommended for
daytime terrestrial viewing.
•
Planisphere – A nifty “star wheel” that shows what stars
and constellations are visible in the sky at any time of any
night. Just set the date and time see a mini representation
of your local night sky. Great for identifying what you see
and planning an evening’s observing session.
•
Star Map – More detailed than a planisphere, a star map is
essential for locating interesting celestial objects to observe
with your telescope. Nowadays many mobile astronomy
apps feature customizable star maps that you can access
on your smartphone or tablet while you’re at the telescope.
6. Telescope Care and
Maintenance
If you give your telescope reasonable care, it will last a lifetime.
Store it in a clean, dry, dust-free place, safe from rapid changes
in temperature and humidity. Do not store the telescope outdoors,
although storage in a garage or shed is OK. Small components
like eyepieces and other accessories should be kept in a protec-
tive box or storage case. Keep the dust cover on the front of the
telescope when it is not in use.
Your refractor telescope requires very little mechanical mainte-
nance. The optical tube has a smooth painted finish that is fairly
scratch-resistant. If a scratch does appear on the tube, it will not
harm the telescope. If you wish, you may apply some auto touch-
up paint to the scratch. Smudges on the tube can be wiped off
with a soft cloth and household cleaning fluid.
Cleaning Optics
Any quality optical lens cleaning tissue and optical lens clean-
ing fluid specifically designed for multi-coated optics can be used
to clean the lenses of your telescope and eyepieces. Never use
regular glass cleaner or cleaning fluid designed for eyeglasses.
Before cleaning, remove any loose particles or dust from the lens
with a blower bulb or soft brush. Then apply some cleaning fluid
to a tissue, never directly on the optics. Wipe the lens gently in a
circular motion, then remove any excess fluid with a fresh lens
tissue. Oily fingerprints and smudges may be removed using this
method. Use caution; rubbing too hard may scratch the lens. On
larger lenses, clean only a small area at a time, using a fresh lens
tissue on each area. Never reuse tissues.
When bringing the telescope inside after an evening’s viewing it
is normal for moisture to accumulate on the lenses due to the
change in temperature. We suggest leaving the telescope and
eyepieces uncovered overnight to allow the condensation to
evaporate.
