Observing – Pentax 10 User Manual

Page 16

Observing

Every observer has favorite methods and objects. Many excellent
books are available to help the beginner become familiar with the sky
and learn the procedures for studying it. Here we present a few
suggestions regarding the use of the Teleport, leaving the broad view
of observing up to you and your chosen reference materials.

The Teleport is designed to give the observer a direct connection to the
universe, imposing a minimum of technology between the user and the
objects observed. Without digital readouts, “go-to” databases, etc., but
with smooth, easy motions, using it quickly becomes very intuitive. It’s
like looking directly at the object, but with a thousand times the light
grasp of the unaided eye, and with the magnification best for the object
to be viewed. Here are some tips:

Setup

Find a solid foundation

Find a solid foundation
Always place the Teleport on a solid surface, such as the earth, gravel,
concrete, etc. Be sure each of the three feet rests on the surface, and
that the ground board between the feet does not. Tall grass will cause
instability, and a surface such as a wood deck may flex when anyone
moves on it, including when you shift your weight at the eyepiece.

Allow time for your mirror to reach thermal equilibrium.

Allow time for your mirror to reach thermal equilibrium.
While changing temperature, even a low-expansion Pyrex mirror
changes shape. The image quality will be poor until it stabilizes. This
can be a matter of a few minutes, but can be more under extreme
changes. The thin mirror and open air flow of the Teleport minimize
this, and the fan can reduce the equilibration time still more. Nothing
can eliminate it completely.

Sky Conditions

Get to the darkest site you can.

Get to the darkest site you can.
Take advantage of the portability of the Teleport. Of course there will
be times you may want to observe in areas of substantial light pollu-
tion. Artificial lights and the moon still allow reasonable viewing of
bright objects like planets and the moon, but will greatly diminish your
ability to see those dim “faint fuzzies.” Filters can help.

Learn to work with the sky conditions that exist.

Learn to work with the sky conditions that exist.
What you view, and the magnification you can use effectively will
generally be limited by the “seeing” at the time. Upper atmospheric
cells of varying temperatures bend the light passing through them,
causing the image to shimmer, or just blur without apparent move-
ment. Lower magnification will be required when seeing is poor. Expect
to use high powers, (above 120x) a limited percentage of the time,
depending on your observing site, season, frontal passages, etc.