Roadmap To The Stars - Meade ETX-90EC Instruction Manual

ROADMAP TO THE STARS

The night sky is filled with wonder and intrigue. You too, can enjoy exploring the
universe simply by following a few pointers on a roadmap to the stars.
First, find the Big Dipper which is part of the constellation Ursa Major. The Big
Dipper is usually easy to locate year round in North America due to its proximity
to the North Star, Polaris.
Extending directly out from the far side of the Big Dipper's cup is the constellation
Orion. One of the most exquisite areas of the winter sky, Orion is distinguished
by two bright stars, Rigel and Betelgeuse, and Orion's belt which is marked by
three stars in a row. The Orion Nebula is located south of the belt and is one of
the most observed deep-sky objects by amateur astronomers.
Extending from the "pointer stars" - or end stars - of
the Big Dipper's cup is Polaris, the closest star to the
northernmost point of the celestial sphere. Extending
from Polaris is the Great Square shared by the
constellation Pegasus and Andromeda. Within
Andromeda is the Andromeda Galaxy, the closest
large galaxy to our solar system at about 2.2 million
light-years away.
The Summer Triangle is a notable region in the sky to
the left of the handle of the Big Dipper. The triangle is
made up of three very bright stars: Vega, Deneb and
Altair.
By drawing an imaginary line outward from the handle
of the Big Dipper you reach the southern
constellation"Scorpius." Scorpius curves to the left
like the tail of a scorpion in the sky, or like letter "J."
Amateur astronomers commonly use the phrase "Arc
to Arcturus and spike to Spica" to refer to the area
directly off the arc in the handle of the Big Dipper.
Follow the arc to Arcturus, the second brightest star in
the Northern Hemisphere, then spike down to Spica,
the 16th brightest star in the sky. Now follow the arc in
the handle of the Big Dipper in the opposite direction
and you reach another famous arc called The Sickle,
in the constellation Leo.
WARNING! Never use the
Meade ETX-90EC Astro
Telescope to look at the Sun!
Looking at or near the Sun
will
cause instant andirreversible damage to
your eye. Eye damage is often painless,
so there is no warning to the observer
that damage has occurred until it is too
late. Do not point the telescope or its
viewfinder at or near the Sun. Do not
look through the telescope or its
viewfinder as it is moving. Children
should always have adult supervision
while observing.
Fig. 38: Road Map to the Stars.