Viewing Techniques

A few questions about the mechanics of telescope viewing. Thanks in advance
for any answers.

1. I have an eyepiece tray on my tripod. When I change eyepieces I have
been placing them there but have not been putting the caps back on. What do
folks do? Do you replace either or both caps when you are between eyepieces
or just leave the naked until the session is over?

2. When focusing should I "prefocus" my viewing eye at some distance before
looking into the eyepiece. It seems to help if I focus at a distant object
and then look into the eyepiece.

3. How long do you stare at a faint object when trying to get the most
detail. I get tired after about 2-3 minutes and need to walk away from the
scope for a minute or so. Should I "hang in there" and not interrupt my
viewing, or is taking a rest a good idea?

4. I touched one of my filters, what is the cleaning technique? Same as
for a camera lens?

5. Same queston for an eyepiece.

6. Here's the biggie. I need some techniques for determining "direction"
while viewing. In other words, if someing is 2 deg southwest of what I am
looking at, I am having a terrible time figuring out which way to move the
scope (Newtonian on Go-To German mount) while looking though the eyepiece or
finder scope. I assume that all directions are in relation to Polaris, but
how do you figure out which way Polaris is when looking into the scope?

Thanks again.

-John


.

Relevant Pages

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  • Re: Viewing Techniques
    ... I have an eyepiece tray on my tripod. ... When focusing should I "prefocus" my viewing eye at some distance before ... > scope for a minute or so. ... safe lens cleaner and a lens tissue or micro-fiber ...
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