{"id":61530,"date":"2024-07-15T19:38:08","date_gmt":"2024-07-15T19:38:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/fa5fd1a8-616b-41e1-b557-66814189cff6"},"modified":"2024-07-15T20:39:44","modified_gmt":"2024-07-15T20:39:44","slug":"how-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-telescope-and-improve-your-views-of-the-night-sky","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/rss_feed\/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-telescope-and-improve-your-views-of-the-night-sky\/","title":{"rendered":"How to get the most out of your telescope and improve your views of the night sky"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the third part of our guide, we reveal how to set up your telescope and get stargazing. <\/p>

By <\/p>

Published: Monday, 15 July 2024 at 19:38 PM<\/p>

\n\n

Once you’ve setting up a telescope for the first time can be a daunting experience, but with a bit of practice and a little know-how, it will soon become second nature.<\/p>

Dealing with the telescope tube is straightforward enough but we have tips on observing further down (see tips for successful observing the night sky with a telescope<\/a>).<\/p>

Even if yours is a reflector or Cassegrain that has adjustable collimation, it\u2019s best not to tinker with it until you gain more experience.<\/p>

But the next vital element of your setup is the mount<\/a>, the part that actually holds the telescope.<\/p>

A good mount is key to getting the most out of your telescope.<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Telescope mounts<\/strong><\/h2>
All telescope mounts do the same basic job \u2013 they point the telescope at your chosen target \u2013 and there are two types: altitude-azimuth (often abbreviated to \u2018altaz\u2019) and equatorial.<\/p>
Altaz mounts<\/a> have two axes of rotation:<\/p>
One is vertical, allowing the scope to spin clockwise or anticlockwise<\/p>
The other is horizontal, so it can be elevated towards an upright position.<\/p>
Dobsonian telescopes<\/a> are the most basic form of altaz mount: a rotating base connected to a tilting tube.<\/p>
Like their tripod-mounted counterparts, Dobsonians don\u2019t need to be aligned with the sky or pointed in any particular direction.<\/p>
$\"Ursa$
A Dobsonian telescope<\/figcaption><\/figure>
If your altaz mount or Dobsonian telescope has electronic Go-To capability, it will point automatically at whichever night-sky target you choose.<\/p>
But devices with this capability will need to be aligned to a particular object before use, so a list of targets is usually included in the device\u2019s instructions to help you do this.<\/p>
Consulting an astronomy app such as Stellarium<\/a> or SkySafari<\/a> can also be useful.<\/p>
$\"Aligned$
Aligned on the north celestial pole, an equatorial mount makes it easy to track stars as they move from east to west through the night.<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Although similar to altaz mounts, equatorial mounts<\/a> have one axis that\u2019s parallel to Earth\u2019s axis of rotation, enabling the telescope to track the apparent movement of stars across the sky.<\/p>
This avoids you having to constantly nudge your scope as your target drifts out of view and is useful in astrophotography<\/a> for capturing long exposures.<\/p>
In the Northern Hemisphere, we have a convenient star located almost at the point around which the night sky appears to rotate: Polaris, or the \u2018pole star\u2019 (also known as the North Star<\/a>).<\/p>
This is the star you\u2019ll use to align your equatorial mount.<\/p>
You should find all the info you need in your mount\u2019s manual, or alternatively read our guide on how to set up an equatorial mount<\/a>.<\/p>
$\"Focal$
Focal length, field of view, magnification and budget are all considerations when building your eyepiece collection. Credit: Tim Jardine<\/figcaption><\/figure>
**Eyepieces<\/strong><\/h2>**Telescopes collect light, but it is the eyepiece<\/a> that delivers it to your eye.<\/p>
Your choice of eyepiece will determine the magnification and field of view your telescope can offer.<\/p>
Most new telescopes come with an eyepiece, but eventually you\u2019ll want another one to give you more viewing options.<\/p>
The first consideration when you\u2019re weighing up which eyepiece to buy is barrel size: either 1.25-inch or 2-inch.<\/p>
The larger of these, if compatible with your focuser, may give you a wider view, but is more expensive and can be heavy.<\/p>
$\"A$
A 2-inch eyepiece is likely costlier but usually offers extended eye relief and more comfortable observing. Credit: Tim Jardine<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Eyepieces are classified by their focal length<\/a>, which will be marked on them in millimetres.<\/p>
The smaller the number, the greater the magnifying effect on the view.<\/p>
There is little point in overdoing things, however, as there is a limit, known as \u2018useful magnification\u2019, beyond which the view starts to deteriorate.<\/p>
A handy rule of thumb is to double the diameter of your telescope lens or main mirror, in millimetres, to give a figure indicating the maximum useful magnification for your telescope.<\/p>
If the telescope has a 100mm lens at the front, eyepieces giving a magnification up to 200x could be considered.<\/p>
$\"The$
The view through a scope will usually compensate for any sight issues that normally require spectacles.<\/figcaption><\/figure>
For general observing, much lower magnifications usually provide a better view and make locating targets easier.<\/p>
Although if sky conditions allow, pushing the limits a bit when observing planets<\/a> can be advantageous.<\/p>
It is also worth considering the apparent field of view that eyepieces provide, which is normally expressed in degrees.<\/p>
Wide-field eyepieces can be on the expensive side but provide especially immersive views.<\/p>
It is useful to try out a range of eyepieces before you make a purchase to determine the most comfortable and practical.<\/p>
You\u2019ll find that there is usually no need to wear spectacles, however observers with astigmatism may require them, or else choose eyepieces that accept extra lenses to correct the condition.<\/p>
$\"What$
Credit: m-gucci \/ Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Tips for successful observing the night sky with a telescope<\/strong><\/h2>
Once you are familiar with your equipment, there are a few things you can do that will help you make the most of clear nights.<\/p>
Practise setting up your telescope in daylight. Choose a spot that will be darkest at night with a firm, level base and unobstructed views to the north and south.<\/p>
Be aware that views over houses can be affected by shimmering warm air currents rising from below.<\/p>
A sudden light from a window could ruin your eyes\u2019 adaptation to the dark, which can take around 30 minutes to set in.<\/p>
If your chosen spot is affected by stray lights, it might be possible to carry smaller Dobsonian or lightweight altaz telescopes to a better location during a stargazing session.<\/p>
But moving an equatorial mount without dismantling it first is not recommended.<\/p>
Alongside the few really bright objects in the night sky, there are thousands of fainter ones, such as star clusters<\/a>, galaxies<\/a> and planetary nebulae<\/a>.<\/p>
But even if your telescope mount has a Go-To capability, it can be tricky to spot them.<\/p>
$\"Planetary$
Planetary nebulae are beautiful, often puffed-out objects caused by dying stars shedding their outer layers. Credit: Andrea Arbizzi, Modena, Italy<\/figcaption><\/figure>
With experience, picking out faint objects becomes easier and there are a few tricks that will help.<\/p>
A popular one is averted vision<\/a>. Rather than staring directly at an object in the eyepiece, looking just to the side of it uses your peripheral vision, which is more sensitive to faint light.<\/p>
Experimenting with averted vision on a target like the Crab Nebula<\/a>, M1, will help determine what works best for you.<\/p>
Generally speaking, if you view with your left eye, you should avert your vision to the left of the object, and vice versa.<\/p>
$\"How$ <\/figure>
Try this on areas of extended nebulosity, perhaps around the edges of the Orion Nebula<\/a> or the North America Nebula<\/a> in Cygnus.<\/p>
Another useful trick for spotting fainter objects makes use of the fact that our eyes and brain more readily notice movement, rather than static things.<\/p>
Telescopes can be gently tapped to make the view wobble a bit, which makes it easier for your eye to pick out any structures.<\/p>
A good target for practising this might be the Cygnus Loop, a large supernova<\/a> remnant with intricate wispy details.<\/p>
$\"$ Practise setting up your scope while it\u2019s still light, and always try to observe across a clear horizon. Credit: m-gucci\/iStock \/ Getty images” class=”wp-image-33180″ title=”what-telescope”>
Practise setting up your scope while it\u2019s still light, and always try to observe across a clear horizon. Credit: m-gucci\/iStock\/Getty images<\/figcaption><\/figure>
In the dark, our retinas become more sensitive and our pupils dilate.<\/p>
This makes a remarkable difference to stargazing<\/a>, but it can take about half an hour to happen and will be lost if your eyes are exposed to a light source.<\/p>
Mobile phones should be screened with red cellophane or turned to a dim, red setting.<\/p>
Some astronomers even resort to putting screens around their scopes to block out encroaching lights.<\/p>
Ensure your observing location is as dark as possible and allow your eyes to gradually adapt to the darkness.<\/p>
$\"Staring$
Staring at your smartphone even for a second will ruin your dark-adapted vision. Credit: mikroman6 \/ Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>
A final practical tip is to make yourself as comfortable as possible<\/a>.<\/p>
Being relaxed while you\u2019re observing means you\u2019ll enjoy the experience so much more.<\/p>
Getting cold, tired, hungry or otherwise distracted might put you off setting up your telescope the next time the sky is clear.<\/p>
The key to success is good preparation \u2013 anticipate the night ahead and plan accordingly.<\/p>
It can be useful to have a list of your intended observing targets to hand as well, so the night has clear objectives.<\/p>
Ultimately, the best way to get the most out of using your telescope is to get it out whenever the conditions are suitable for observing.<\/p>
As they say: practice makes perfect.<\/p>
$\"Illustration$
Illustration showing how our view of Jupiter is affecting by Earth’s atmosphere, known as ‘seeing’.<\/figcaption><\/figure>
The weather<\/strong><\/h2>
You can\u2019t control the weather, but by being aware of what\u2019s occurring in the atmosphere you can prepare for the night ahead.<\/p>
The sky often looks ideal for stargazing, but looks can be deceiving.<\/p>
Amateur observers describe viewing conditions using terms such as \u2018transparency\u2019 and \u2018 seeing<\/a>\u2019.<\/p>
Transparency is straightforward: observing a sky with poor transparency is like trying to look through a dirty window.<\/p>
But in this case the dirt is high, in thin clouds, atmospheric dust or moisture, or even aircraft contrails.<\/p>
Seeing describes how steady or turbulent the atmosphere is and it can be estimated by observing brighter stars with the naked eye.<\/p>
When the seeing is poor, stars appear to twinkle<\/a> more.<\/p>
$\"Weather$
Weather apps – particularly those created for astronomers – are great for planning ahead, although good weather doesn’t always mean good observing conditions. Credit: iStock<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Weather forecasts for astronomers can be helpful for anticipating observing conditions (try sat24.com<\/a> or www.clearoutside.com<\/a>).<\/p>
If good conditions coincide with a dark new Moon period<\/a>, the view should be outstanding.<\/p>
Ambient temperature also plays a role, which is why telescopes need time to acclimatise when you take them outside.<\/p>
Allowing an hour of cooling before you start observing really helps. Even so, a target that looks poor one night may be spectacular the next.<\/p>
$\"Allowing$
Allowing your telescope to cool to the outside temperature is key. Credit: M Gucci \/ Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>
A worthwhile experiment is to observe a bright lunar limb (the visible \u2018edge\u2019 of the Moon) at high magnification and note how the view appears to wobble.<\/p>
For more info on this, read our guide on how to observe the Moon<\/a>.<\/p>
This is the effect of the seeing. Lingering on the view a few minutes will reveal patches of improved seeing, letting more detail shine through.<\/p>
Experienced observers will take their time over each target and keep coming back to favourite objects over the years.<\/p>
***What are your top tips for getting the most out of your telescope? Let us know by emailing*** ***contactus@skyatnightmagazine.com<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n***
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