By Stephen F. Tonkin
An expanding variety of everyone is profiting from the rather low costs of astronomical apparatus. a lot of those individuals are doing so with little wisdom of functional astronomy and, because the quantity of questions requested at astronomical society conferences and on web newsgroups attest, there's a want for those inquiries to be replied in a single position. as a result this ebook. the basic premise at the back of AstroFAQs is that the start beginner astronomer needs to get "up and operating" with the minimal hold up. A secondary premise is that anybody will higher relish why whatever is completed because it is that if there's an knowing of the underlying rules. AstroFAQs addresses either those premises. AstroFAQs makes no pretence to enter nice intensity -that will be very unlikely in this sort of narrow quantity -but it is going to provide the kick-start you must select and use your device successfully, and should take you to a degree of craftsmanship that's considerably greater than the "beginner" prestige. It makes use of a hierarchical part num bering procedure that simplifies cross-referencing. feedback for extra in-depth studying are given all through. progressively more "newbie" astronomers are coming into this interesting pastime through deciding to buy one of many "gee whiz" GOTO telescopes, of which there's an expanding choice. those serve the desire to commence statement once attainable, yet they achieve this at a cost premium.
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Additional resources for AstroFAQs: Questions Amateur Astronomers Frequently Ask
Sample text
9 How do I clean dirty eyepieces? Treat these in the same way as an object glass. 10 How do I clean dirty binocular lenses? Treat these in the same way as an object glass. 4. 1• 1 What constitutes good observing conditions? The three components of good observing conditions are transparency, lack of sky brightness, and seeing. Understanding these components and the effect they have on observing will help you get the most out of your telescope. 4. 2 What is transparency? Transparency is the optical clarity of the atmosphere and is affected by clouds, moisture, and other airborne particulates, such as industrial pollutants and volcanic matter.
In what follows, it is assumed that the polar and declination axes are mutually perpendicular, and that the optical axis of the telescope and the declination axis are also mutually perpendicular. There are three levels of accuracy in polar alignment: the "rough method", the "intermediate method" and the "accurate method". 2. 1• 1 What is the II rough method"? This is the simplest of all, but has the advantage of being rapid and is suitable for visual observing. • Adjust the altitude of the polar axis so that its angle to the horizontal is equal to your latitude.
A mirror or lens can be truly filthy yet the telescope can still give good images. As with so many things, prevention is better than cure. If a telescope is properly looked after, its optics can go for many years without being cleaned. 6 What if my mirror is really dirty? For all mirror-cleaning operations, ensure that the mirror can only fall onto a soft surface, should you drop it. Clean folded towels or blankets are suitable for this purpose. If the mirror is truly and obscenely filthy, and you really have to clean it, carefully take it out of its cell and rinse it in running water.
