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[ Step 81 Observing Jupiter and Saturn
Planets such as Jupiter and Saturn appear to steadily move across the sky from east to west. They appear as bright stars. Most
astronomy publications tell where the planets can be found in the sky each month.
©Use a low power eyepiece-about 50 magnification. Jupiter will
be seen like a small disk. You will also be able to see four moons
of Jupiter. (These satellites are not always visible because their
orbits carry them behind the planet.) Saturn, with its beautiful
rings, is easily visible.
©When seeing conditions are good (the atmosphere is steady),
raise the magnification greater than 100. You will be able to see
the cloud belts of Jupiter and the great Red Spot (if it is visible at
the time you are observing). The rings of Saturn and even the small
dark division (Cassini's Division) in the rings will be visible.
1 Step 9 Observing the Sun
CAUTION: NEVER POINT A TELESCOPE AT THE SUN AND NEVER LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN WITHOUT TAKING ALL
PROPER PRECAUTIONS. READ THIS PARAGRAPH CAREFULLY BEFORE UNDERTAKING ANY SOLAR OBSERVATION.
All telescopes collect light—much more light than the human eye. Therefore, viewing the Sun through a telescope must only be undertaken
carefully, with all proper precautions observed. Failure to take the proper precautions may result in permanent blindness and damage to
your telescope. To observe the Sun safely, always fit the eyepiece with a sun filter. In addition, always place the objective cap on the
telescope with only the small solar aperture open. You will enjoy seeing sun spots—huge nuclear sun storms that constantly change position
and size.
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'Using the Sun Diagonal Prism
When the sun filter is used with the telescope for long observation, it may sometimes break from the heat. If a sun diagonal prism is added,
it exhausts 96% of sunlight and heat outside, so that only the remaining 4% of sunlight is used to observe the Sun, allowing long observation
with safety. A special sun filter to be screwed in the eyepiece belongs to the sun diagonal prism. Use the special sun filter together with
the sun diagonal prism. Its colour density is somewhat lighter than the ordinary sun filter. Only when using the sun diagonal prism and
the special sun filter, take off the objective lens cap to expand the effective diameter of the objective lens and to enhance its resolving power.
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