Table of Contents
Advertisement
and Saturn are the brightest objects in the sky after the Sun
and the Moon. Your TableTop is capable of showing you these
planets in some detail. Other planets may be visible but will
likely appear star-like. Because planets are quite small in
apparent size, optional higher-power eyepieces are recom-
mended and often needed for detailed observations. Not all
the planets are generally visible at any one time.
JUPITER: The largest planet, Jupiter, is a great subject for
observation. You can see the disk of the giant planet and
watch the ever-changing positions of its four largest moons –
Io, Callisto, Europa, and Ganymede.
SATURN: The ringed planet is a breathtaking sight when it is
well positioned. The tilt angle of the rings varies over a peri-
od of many years; sometimes they are seen edge-on, while
at other times they are broadside and look like giant "ears"
on each side of Saturn's disk. A steady atmosphere (good
seeing) is necessary for a good view. You will probably see a
bright "star" close by, which is Saturn's brightest moon, Titan.
VENUS: At its brightest, Venus is the most luminous object in
the sky, excluding the Sun and the Moon. It is so bright that
sometimes it is visible to the naked eye during full daylight!
Ironically, Venus appears as a thin crescent, not a full disk,
when at its peak brightness. Because it is so close to the Sun,
it never wanders too far from the morning or evening horizon.
No surface markings can be seen on Venus, which is always
shrouded in dense clouds.
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 gorgeous two-color double star Albireo in Cygnus is a
favorite. Defocusing a star slightly can help bring out hints of
color.
E. Deep-Sky Objects
Under dark skies, you can observe a wealth of fascinating
deep-sky objects, including gaseous nebulas, open and glob-
ular star clusters, and a variety of different types of galax-
ies. Most deep-sky objects are very faint, so it is important
that you find an observing site well away from light pollution.
Take plenty of time to let your eyes adjust to the darkness.
Do not expect these subjects to appear like the photographs
you see in books and magazines; 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.
To find deep sky objects in the sky, it is best to consult a star
chart or Planisphere. These guides will help you locate the
brightest and best deep-sky objects for viewing with your
TableTop.
You can also try low-power scanning of the Milky Way. Use
the 20mm eyepiece and just cruise through the "star clouds"
of our galaxy. You'll be amazed at the rich fields of stars and
objects you'll see! The Milky Way is best observed on summer
and winter evenings.
Viewing Hints
Amateur astronomy can be an entertaining and educa-
tional activity for the entire family. Astronomy is also a seri-
ous scientific pursuit. As with any science you will achieve
the best results by following some basic guidelines. These
recommendations will assist you in getting the most out of
your new telescope. This is just a sample of suggested tech-
niques; for more helpful tips please visit the Learning Center
at OrionTelescopes.com.
Light Pollution
Most of us live where city lights interfere with our view of
the heavens. As our metropolitan areas have become more
developed, the scourge of light pollution has spread, wash-
ing out many stars and nonstellar celestial objects from our
sight. Faint deep sky objects become difficult or impossible to
see through the murk of light pollution. Even bright nebulas
like the Orion and Lagoon Nebulas lose much of their delicate
detail. The Moon and planets are not affected; they require
steady air more than dark skies, so they remain good targets
for city-dwelling observers.
The International Dark-Sky Association is waging the fight
against light pollution. The IDSA was founded in 1988 with the
mission of educating the public about the adverse impact that
light pollution has on the night sky and astronomy. Through
educational and scientific means, the nonprofit IDA works to
raise awareness about the problem and about measures that
can be taken to solve it.
Do you need help dealing with local officials to control street
or building lighting in your area? The IDA's extensive sup-
port materials can show you how. Help preserve dark skies,
join the IDA today! For information, write to IDA, 3225 N.
First Ave., Tucson, AZ 85719-2103 or visit their website:
www.darksky.org.
The best way to avoid immediate problems with light pollu-
tion, however, is to take your telescope to where there are
dark skies. You will be amazed at how many stars you can see
when you get away from the city lights.
11
Hide quick links:
Advertisement
Table of Contents
