Re: Viewing Techniques

On Tue, 3 Jan 2006 11:01:45 -0600, John Banister wrote:

> 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?

I cover eyepieces when not in use. Sometimes put them away in their cases.
I have always thought that keeping optics clean is better than cleaning
them.

> 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.

I've never done this but if it helps you then by all means do it. I just
use the focus to get to what's comfortable. And since I do a lot of
outreach I always tell those new to observing to focus for their own eyes
even if their vision and the person before them are "normal". Each
person's eyes can find a different focus point at 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?

Take breaks. Spending time is very good, even essential if you want to get
the most out of what you're viewing. But staring for long periods defeats
the purpose. You don't want to get tired. Look away regularly and then
back to the eyepiece. Take a short break and then go back. The more you
look the more you'll see. But don't let your eyes (or brain) get tired.
And taking a short break -- even if it's just a few seconds glancing away
or blinking -- can often help. Sort of like getting a fresh view.

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

I don't use filters much so I'll leave that to those who do.

> 5. Same queston for an eyepiece.

I've always found the grease that ends up on eyepieces won't come off
without liquid. A good, safe lens cleaner and a lens tissue or micro-fiber
cloth will do the job. Just dampen (don't soak) the tissue a little so you
don't put enough liquid on the glass to get inside the eyepiece. Others
will have different ideas, I'm sure. A Lens Pen does a good job for a
little cleaning but I haven't found it capable of getting off fingerprints
and other big smears. Always be sure to blow or brush off any particles of
dust first so whatever you do they don't scratch the glass. Always use the
very smallest amount of pressure possible, i.e., a wadded tissue with no
pressure rather than pressing with your fingers.

> 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?

If you have an equatorial mount it should be easy. One axis is north-south
while the other is east-west. First, think about which way the tube is
moving rather than trying to figure out what's happening in the eypiece.
Then relate the known movement to what you see in the eyepiece. At least
that's what I've always done with equatorial non-go-to mounts. Sometimes I
have to step back and figure out what's happening, then go back to the
eyepiece and sort of re-calibrate my view.

Mike Simmons

.

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