Re: Embarassing Newbie Question

schwing wrote:
> I'm almost too embarassed to even post this question, but it is causing
> me a lot of stress trying to learn to use my telescope, so here goes...
>
> I have a 6" Orion Skyview reflector and I'm trying to learn how to do
> star hopping.  I have a lot of trouble remembering which way is "up"
> and which way to "turn".  I've read that the image should be
> upside-down with reflectors but right-side should still be right-side.
> (Please correct me if I'm wrong.)
>
> I think my problem comes from my orientation to the eyepiece and the
> direction of the scope.  If I have it on Polaris and look through the
> eyepiece, and, for lack of a better description, my ears are orientated
> with the ends of the scope, is the top of the image really the top, or
> is it the right side and I need to turn my head the other way?  Which
> is the proper orientation for viewing?  Also, what happens when I spin
> it to look at Vega, near the zenith?  Do I have to wrench my head
> sideways to see it correctly.
>
> Thank you for your kind replies.
>
> -ken

Hello Ken,

For easy objects you can starhop using the finder.  AFAIK, your scope
should have a finder that gives inverted image (the same as mine).
When pointing the scope using the finder, I find it much easier to keep
both eyes open - this way I see two overlapping images of the sky, and
it's very easy to find anything that I can see with both eyes - just
move the scope until the two images overlap.  The fact that the image
in the finder is inverted actually makes it easier.

Sometimes, when the object you are looking for is comparatively bright
and you will be able to recognize it in the main eyepiece, this is
enough.  However, when you are looking for something tiny (like a
particular 12 mag variable star in a crowded starfield), you have to
starhop through the eyepiece.  The scope you have seems to be with
equatorial mount - this makes it much easier to starhop (for me, at
least).

I usually start from a reasonably bright star that I can recognize in
the finder and eyepiece.  Once I point the scope at this star, I nudge
the scope in declination toward north, while looking in the eyepiece.
This shows me where is north on what I see.  (Sometimes there is a pattern
of stars nearby, that can also help, but those are not essential for
finding the correct orientation.)  Then I just turn the star chart the
"right" way - the way I see it in the eyepiece.  It is very easy after
this.

A thing that I found extremely useful when starhopping is a transparency
printed with some circles that approximate the FOV of your scope at
different magnifications.  I never knew how much it helps before
starting to use one.  You can make the a similar tool with wire.  Give
it a try.

Good luck and do not despair - starhopping is a lot of fun and those
guys with the GoTo thingies just don't know what they are missing!  ;-)
[Ducking for cover]  :-)

- Alex
.

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