© 1999 by teh boon king. presented by... teh boon king

© 1999 by Teh Boon King.

Presented by...

Teh Boon King

Introduction

What is a telescope?

A telescope is an instrument which gathers light and amplifies it.

Types of telescopes

Refractor Reflector

Mountings

A telescope’s tube is just half of a complete telescope system. The other part of it is the mounting.

The mounting is the support which the telescope rests on in order for it to point to and track objects.

Types of Mounting

Alt-azimuth mount

Has 2 axis, up-down and side-to-side. Most basic mounts are alt-azimuth, e.g.

camera tripods, Dobsonian mounting. Has to move both axis in order to track a

celestial object.

Types of Mounting

Alt-azimuth mount

Basic alt-azimuth mount Dobsonian mount

Types of Mounting

Equatorial mount

Has 3 axis, where one is parallel to Earth''s rotational axis.

Able to track celestial objects by just moving on one axis.

This axis compensates for Earth’s rotation.

Types of Mounting

Equatorial mount

How to use a telescope

Familiarise yourself with the knobs, focus, locks, slow-motion controls, etc. of the telescope in daytime.

Dark adapt your eyes before observing. Use red flashlight to read charts, etc.


Equatorial mount Align the polar axis with the celestial pole

at your location. Proceed to next step.

Alt-azimuth mount Proceed to next step.


Identify your target object Locate the object in a star atlas. Find its position relative to the star field.

Look for recognisable patterns in the field.


Find the target object Use finder scope to locate the object within the star field

and centre it. Lock both axis of mount (if applicable). Use a low power eyepiece, focus and centre the object in

the telescope.


Start to observe! Use different eyepieces or barlow lens to achieve different

magnifications. Magnification = focal length of telescope

focal length of eyepiece Use colour filters for better contrast in observing planets.

Accessories

Eyepieces

Barlow lens

Finderscope


Tracking the objectEquatorial mount If motorised mount, just engage the motor and the telescope

will automatically track the object. If manual mount, use the slow-motion controls to move the

mount in the right ascension axis to track the object.


Tracking the objectAlt-azimuth mount Use the slow-motion controls to move the mount

in both up-down and left-right axis to track the object while looking at it through the eyepiece.

Observation Tips

TIPS

Be patient. If image looks fuzzy, wait until the sky calms down.

Practise. Observe as often as you can. At first you might not notice subtle details on some difficult targets, but as you go along, it will become easier.

Thank you for your attention. I wish you have a pleasant time using the

telescope to discover the beauty of astronomy.

BKTEH

~ THE END ~

© 1999 by teh boon king. presented by... teh boon king

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