2. © 1999 by Teh Boon King. Presented by... Teh Boon King

3. Introduction What is a telescope? A telescope is an instrument which gathers light and amplifies it.

4. Types of telescopes RefractorReflector

5. Mountings n A telescope’s tube is just half of a complete telescope system. n The other part of it is the mounting. n The mounting is the support which the telescope rests on in order for it to point to and track objects.

6. Types of Mounting Alt-azimuth mount n Has 2 axis, up-down and side-to-side. n Most basic mounts are alt-azimuth, e.g. camera tripods, Dobsonian mounting. n Has to move both axis in order to track a celestial object.

7. Types of Mounting Alt-azimuth mount Basic alt-azimuth mount Dobsonian mount

8. Types of Mounting Equatorial mount n Has 3 axis, where one is parallel to Earth''s rotational axis. n Able to track celestial objects by just moving on one axis. n This axis compensates for Earth’s rotation.

9. Types of Mounting Equatorial mount

10. How to use a telescope n Familiarise yourself with the knobs, focus, locks, slow-motion controls, etc. of the telescope in daytime. n Dark adapt your eyes before observing. Use red flashlight to read charts, etc.

11. How to use a telescope Equatorial mount n Align the polar axis with the celestial pole at your location. n Proceed to next step. Alt-azimuth mount n Proceed to next step.

12. How to use a telescope Identify your target object n Locate the object in a star atlas. n Find its position relative to the star field. Look for recognisable patterns in the field.

13. How to use a telescope Find the target object n Use finder scope to locate the object within the star field and centre it. n Lock both axis of mount (if applicable). n Use a low power eyepiece, focus and centre the object in the telescope.

14. How to use a telescope Start to observe! n Use different eyepieces or barlow lens to achieve different magnifications. n Magnification = focal length of telescope focal length of eyepiece n Use colour filters for better contrast in observing planets.

15. Accessories Eyepieces Barlow lens Finderscope

16. How to use a telescope Tracking the object Equatorial mount n If motorised mount, just engage the motor and the telescope will automatically track the object. n If manual mount, use the slow-motion controls to move the mount in the right ascension axis to track the object.

17. How to use a telescope Tracking the object Alt-azimuth mount n Use the slow-motion controls to move the mount in both up-down and left-right axis to track the object while looking at it through the eyepiece.

18. Observation Tips TIPS n Be patient. If image looks fuzzy, wait until the sky calms down. n Practise. Observe as often as you can. At first you might not notice subtle details on some difficult targets, but as you go along, it will become easier.

19. Thank you for your attention. I wish you have a pleasant time using the telescope to discover the beauty of astronomy. BKTEH ~ THE END ~