Celestron FIRSTSCOPE 60 EQ User Manual

TELESCOPE OPERATION — ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVING
Now that your telescope is set up, you’re ready to use it for observing.
Observing the Moon
In the night sky, the moon is a prime target for your first look because it is extremely bright and easy to find.
Although the beauty of the full moon may make it seem a perfect viewing object, in fact, the light reflected from its
fully illuminated face can be overpowering. In addition, little or no contrast can be seen during this phase.
One of the best times to observe the moon is during its partial phases, such as a crescent or quarter moon. At these
times, long shadows reveal a great amount of detail on the lunar surface. At low power, with the standard eyepiece,
you’ll be able to see the whole lunar disk at one time. Change to higher power (magnification) to focus in on a
smaller area. Keep in mind that the rotation of the earth will cause the moon to drift out of your field of view.
You’ll have to manually adjust the telescope to keep the moon centered. /This effect is more noticeable at higher
power. Consult a current astronomy magazine or your local newspaper to find out the current phase of the moon.
Lunar Observing Hint
To increase contrast and bring out visible detail on the lunar surface, try using different eyepiece filters (available
through your local Celestron dealer). A yellow filter works well for improving contrast.
Observing the Planets
Other easy targets include the five “naked eye” planets of our solar system, so called because they can be spotted in
the night sky by the unaided eye. You can see Venus go through its lunar-like phases. Mars can reveal a host of
surface detail and one, if not both, of its polar caps. You’ll be able to see the cloud belts of Jupiter, perhaps even
the great Red Spot. In addition, you’ll be able to see the moons of Jupiter as they orbit the giant planet. Saturn,
with its beautiful rings, is easily visible at moderate power, as is Mercury. All you need to know is where to look.
Most astronomy publications indicate where the planets are in the sky each month.
The drawing above of Jupiter provides a good representation of what you can expect to see with moderate
magnification, during good “seeing” conditions.
Observing the Sun
Although overlooked by many amateur astronomers, solar observation is both rewarding and fun. However,
because the sun is so bright, special precautions must be taken when observing this star, so as not to damago your
eyes or your telescope. Never project an image of the sun through the telescope. This can damage the telescope
and/or any accessories attached to the telescope. For safe solar viewing, use a Celestron solar filter. This filter
reduces the intensity of the sun's light, making it safe to view. With this filter you can see sunspots as they move
across the solar disk and faculae, which are bright patches seen near the sun's edge. Be sure to cover the
finderscope’s lens or remove it completely when observing the sun. This will ensure that the finderscope itself is
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Celestron FIRSTSCOPE 60 EQ Specifications

General

Brand	Celestron
Model	FIRSTSCOPE 60 EQ
Category	Telescope
Language	English