Orion ASTROVIEW 9862 User Manual download pdf (Page 13)

What to Expect

So what will you see with your telescope? You should be able

to see bands on Jupiter, the rings of Saturn, craters on the

moon, the waxing and waning of Venus, and possibly hun-

dreds of deep sky objects. Do not expect to see as much color

as you in NASA photos, since those are taken with long-expo-

sure cameras and have “false color” added. Our eyes are not

sensitive enough to see color in deep-sky objects except in a

few of the brightest ones.

Remember that you are seeing these objects using your own

telescope with your own eyes! The object you see in your

eyepiece is in real-time, and not some conveniently provided

image from an expensive space probe. Each session with

your telescope will be a learning experience. Each time you

work with your telescope it will get easier to use, and stellar

objects will become easier to find. Take it from us, there is

big difference between looking at a well-made full-color NASA

image of a deep-sky object in a lit room during the daytime,

and seeing that same object in your telescope at night. One

can merely be a pretty image someone gave to you. The other

is an experience you will never forget!

A. The Moon

With is rocky and cratered surface, the moon is one of the

most interesting and easy subjects for your scope. The best

time to view it is during its partial phases when shadows fall

on the craters and canyon walls to give its features definition.

While the full moon may look like a tempting target, it is actu-

ally the worst time for viewing! The light of a full moon is too

bright and lacks any decent surface definition.

Use an optional Moon filter to dim the Moon when it is very

bright. It simply threads onto the bottom of the eyepiece (you

must first remove the eyepiece from the focuser to attach the

filter). You’ll find the Moon filter improves viewing comfort, and

helps bring out the subtle features in the lunar surface.

B. The Planets

The planets don’t stay put like stars do, so you will have to

refer to charts published monthly on our website, telescope.

com, or other astronomy references to locate them. Venus,

Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn are the brightest objects in the sky

after the Sun and the Moon. All four of these planets are not

normally visible in the sky at one time, but chances are one or

two of them will be. Other planets will also be visible at times,

but will appear star-like when viewed through your telescope.

JUPITER The largest planet, Jupiter, is a great subject to

observe. 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. If atmospheric conditions

are good, you may be able to resolve thin cloud bands on the

planet’s disk.

SATURN The ringed planet is a breathtaking sight when it is

well positioned. The tilt angle of the rings varies over a period

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 see-

ing) is necessary for a good view. You may see a tiny, bright

“star” close by; that’s 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.

MARS If atmospheric conditions are good, you may be able

to see some subtle surface detail on the Red Planet, possibly

even the polar ice cap. Mars makes a close approach to Earth

every two years; during those approaches its disk is larger

and thus more favorable for viewing.

C. The Sun

You can change your nighttime scope into a daytime Sun view-

er by installing an optional full-aperture solar-filter over the

front opening of the AstroView 100 EQ. The primary attraction

is sunspots, which change in shape, appearance, and location

daily. Sunspots are directly related to magnetic activity in the

sun and follow an 11 year cycle. 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

permanent eye damage could result. Also remember to

cover or remove the finder scope before attempting to

view the sun.

D. Stars

Stars will appear like twinkling points of light in the telescope.

Even the largest telescopes cannot magnify stars to appear

as anything more than points 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 con-

stellation Lyra and the gorgeous two-color double star Albireo

in Cygnus are favorites. Defocusing the image of a star slightly

can help bring out its color.

E. Deep-Sky Objects

Under dark skies, you can observe a number of brighter deep-

sky objects with your AstroView 100 EQ, including gaseous

nebulas, open and globular star clusters, and the brighter gal-

axies. 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.

As you become more experienced and your observing skills

improve, you will be able to coax out more and more intricate

details.

Finding Deep-Sky Objects: Starhopping

Starhopping, as it is called by astronomers, is perhaps the sim-

plest way to hunt down objects to view in the night sky. It entails

first pointing the telescope at a star close to the object you wish to

observe, and then progressing to other stars closer and closer to

the object until it is in the field of view of the eyepiece. It is a very

intuitive technique that has been employed for hundreds of years

by professional and amateur astronomers alike. Keep in mind,

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