Bushnell VOYAGER 789946 - Manual (Page 12)

12
usIng your telescoPe / HelPful HInts
4. The recurring astronomical theater we call the night sky is an ever-changing billboard. In other words, not
the same movie plays all the time. Rather, the positions of the stars change not only hourly as they seem to
rise and set, but also throughout the year. As the earth orbits the sun our perspective on the stars changes on
a yearly cycle about that orbit. The reason the sky seems to move daily just as the sun and the moon “move”
across our sky, is that the earth is rotating about its axis. As a result you may notice that after a few minutes
or a few seconds depending on what power you are viewing at, the objects in your telescope will move. At
higher magnifications especially, you will notice that the moon or Jupiter will “race” right out of the field of
view. To compensate, just move the fine adjustment controls on your telescope to “track” it in the necessary
path.
HelPful HInts
• Your telescope is a very sensitive instrument. For best results and fewer vibrations, set your telescope up on a
level location on the ground rather than your concrete driveway or your wooden deck. This will provide a more
stable foundation for viewing, especially if you’ve drawn a crowd with your new telescope.
• If possible, view from a location that has relatively few lights. This will allow you to see much fainter objects. You’d
be surprised how much more you’ll see from your local lake or park when compared to a backyard in the city.
• Using your telescope out a window is NEVER recommended.
• View objects that are high in the sky if possible. Waiting until the object rises well above the horizon will provide
a brighter and crisper image. Objects on the horizon are viewed through several layers of earth’s atmosphere.
Ever wonder why the moon appears orange as it sets on the horizon? It’s because you are looking through a
considerably greater amount of atmosphere than you would directly overhead. (note: If objects high in the sky
are distorted or wavy, you are probably viewing on a very humid night.) During nights of unstable atmosphere,
viewing through a telescope can be frustrating if not impossible. Astronomers refer to crisp, clear nights as nights
of “good seeing.”
• If desired, your telescope and handset may also be used independently. You can view any object of interest
through the telescope without turning on the handset, and you can listen to the handset's tours when you are
indoors, away from the telescope.