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At this point with a focused image in both scopes, you've passed the first obstacle. If you
don't see an image after attempting to focus it in, you might consider aligning your
finderscope again. Once you pass this step, you'll will enjoy the time spent ensuring a good
alignment. Every object you center in the finderscope will be easily found in the main
telescope tube, which is important for continuing your exploration of the night sky.
3. The low power eyepieces are perfect for viewing the full moon, planets, star clusters, nebulae,
and even constellations. These should build your foundation. However, for more detail, try
bumping up in magnification to higher power eyepieces on some of these objects. During
calm and crisp nights, the light/dark separation line on the moon (called the "Terminator") is
marvelous at high power. You can see mountains, ridges and craters jump out at you due to
the highlights. Similarly, you can move up to higher magnifications on the planets and
nebulae. Star clusters and stars are best viewed through the low power no matter what.
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.
Helpful 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 deck. 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 provide 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, clear nights as nights of "good seeing."