Orion SKYQUEST XT6 User Manual download pdf (Page 14)

Once you’ve centered the object in the eyepiece, you can

switch to higher magnification (shorter focal length eyepiece),

if you wish. This is especially recommended for small and

bright objects, like planets and double stars. The Moon also

takes higher magnifications well.

Deep-sky objects, however, typically look better at medium or

low magnifications. This is because many of them are quite

faint, yet have some extent (apparent width). Deep-sky

objects will often disappear at higher magnifications, since

greater magnification inherently yields dimmer images.This is

not the case for all deep-sky objects, however. Many galaxies

are quite small, yet are somewhat bright, so higher power may

show more detail.

The best rule of thumb with eyepiece selection is to start with

a low power, wide field, and then work your way up in magnifi-

cation. If the object looks better, try an even higher

magnification. If the object looks worse, then back off the

magnification a little by using a lower-power eyepiece.

Using 2" eyepieces (XT8 Only)

The SkyQuest XT8’s focuser is capable of accepting optional

2" eyepieces. To use 2" eyepieces you must remove the 1.25"

adapter from the focuser by turning the two thumbscrews that

hold it in place. Once this adapter is removed, insert a 2” eye-

piece directly into the eyepiece holder and use the same

thumbscrews to secure the larger eyepiece.

2" eyepieces are desirable because they provide a wider field

of view than 1.25" eyepiece. Many observers own at least one

2" eyepiece to yield the largest field of view possible for looking

at wide deep-sky objects, such as open star clusters or

gaseous nebulae. You’ll be stunned at the large fields of view

that 2" eyepieces deliver.You’ll feel like you’re floating in space!

Now that you are all set up and ready to go, one critical

decision must be made: what to look at?

A. The Moon

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

most interesting and easy subjects to view with your scope.

The best time to view it is during its partial phases when shad-

ows fall on the craters and canyon walls to give them

definition. While the full moon may look like a tempting target,

it is not optimal for viewing! The light is too bright and surface

definition is low.

Even at partial phases the Moon is very bright. Use of an

optional Moon filter to helps to dim the glare. It simply threads

onto the bottom of the eyepiece. You’ll find the Moon filter

improves viewing comfort, and helps bring out the subtle fea-

tures of the lunar surface.

B. The Sun

You can change your nighttime telescope into a daytime Sun

viewer by installing an optional full-aperture solar filter over

the front opening of the telescope. The primary attraction is

sunspots, which change shape, appearance, and location

daily. Sunspots are directly related to magnetic activity in the

Sun. 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, be sure to

cover the finder scope, or better yet, remove it altogether.

C. The Planets

The planets don’t stay put like the stars, so to find them you

should refer to Sky Calendar at our website telescope.com, or

to charts published monthly in Astronomy, Sky & Telescope,

or other astronomy magazines. Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and

Saturn are the brightest objects in the sky after the Sun and

the Moon.Your SkyQuest XT is capable of showing you these

planets in some detail. Other planets may be visible but will

likely appear starlike. 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 moon: Io,

Callisto, Europa, and Ganymede. Higher power eyepieces

should bring out the cloud bands on the planet’s disk and the

Great Red Spot.

SATURN The ringed planet is a breathtaking sight. The tilt

angle of the rings varies over a period of many years; some-

times 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. Look closely and you should see the Cassini divi-

sion, a thin, dark gap in the rings.You should also see one or

more of Saturn’s moons, which look like faint stars.The bright-

est is the 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 The Red Planet makes a close approach to Earth

every two years. Observing Mars is most favorable at these

times.You should see salmon-colored disk with some distinct

dark patches, and you may be able to spot a whitish polar ice

cap. To see surface detail on Mars, you will need a high power

eyepiece and very steady air!

D. The Stars

Stars will appear as tiny points of light. Even powerful tele-

scopes cannot magnify stars to appear as anything more than

pinpoints.You can, however, enjoy the different colors of the

stars and locate many pretty double and multiple stars. The

famous “Double-Double” in the constellation Lyra and the gor-

geous two-color double star Albireo in Cygnus are favorites.

Defocusing a star slightly can help bring out its color.

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Orion SKYQUEST XT6 User Manual Page 14

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