Filter
Top Products
31
O
O
b
b
s
s
e
e
r
r
v
v
i
i
n
n
g
g
t
t
h
h
e
e
S
S
u
u
n
n
Although overlooked by many amateur astronomers, solar observation is both rewarding and fun. However, because
e Sun is so bright, special precautions must be taken when observing our star so as not to damage your eyes or your
lescope.
ever project an image of the Sun through the telescope. Because of the folded optical design, tremendous heat build-
For safe solar viewing, use a solar filter that reduces the intensity of the Sun's light, making it safe to view. With a
lter you can see sunspots as they move across the solar disk and faculae, which are bright patches seen near the Sun's
ge.
th
te
N
up will result inside the optical tube. This can damage the telescope and/or any accessories attached to the telescope.
fi
ed
S
S
o
o
l
l
a
a
r
r
O
O
b
b
s
s
e
e
r
r
v
v
i
i
n
n
g
g
H
H
i
i
n
n
t
t
s
s
• To center the Sun without looking in forms a
circular shadow.
• To ensure accurate tracking, be sure t
O
O
b
b
s
s
e
e
r
r
v
v
i
i
n
n
g
g
D
D
e
e
e
e
p
p
S
S
k
k
y
y
O
O
b
b
j
j
e
e
• The best time to observe the Sun is in the early morning or late afternoon when the air is cooler.
to the eyepiece, watch the shadow of the telescope tube until it
o select the solar tracking rate.
c
c
t
t
s
s
Deep-sky objects are simply those objects ou
planetary nebulae, diffuse nebulae, double stars ide our own Milky Way. Most deep-sky objects
have a large angular size. Therefore, low-to-m e power is all you need to see them. Visually, they are too faint to
re photographs. Instead, they appear black and white. And, because of their
served from a dark-sky location. Light pollution around large urban areas
tside the boundaries of our solar system. They include star clusters,
and other galaxies outs
oderat
reveal any of the color seen in long exposu
ow surface brightness, they should be ob
l
washes out most nebulae making them difficult, if not impossible, to observe. Light Pollution Reduction filters help
reduce the background sky brightness, thus increasing contrast.
S
S
e
e
e
e
i
i
n
n
g
g
C
C
o
o
n
n
d
d
i
i
t
t
i
i
o
o
n
n
s
s
ee through your telescope during an observing session. Conditions include
and the effect they have on observing
Viewing conditions affect what you can s
transparency, sky illumination, and seeing. Understanding viewing conditions
will help you get the most out of your telescope.
T
T
r
r
a
a
n
n
s
s
p
p
a
a
r
r
e
e
n
n
c
c
y
y
moisture, and other airborne particles. Thick
ile cirrus can be thin, allowing the light from the brightest stars through.
azy skies absorb more light than clear skies making fainter objects harder to see and reducing contrast on brighter
pper atmosphere from volcanic eruptions also affect transparency. Ideal conditions
S
S
k
k
y
y
I
Il
Transparency is the clarity of the atmosphere which is affected by clouds,
cumulus clouds are completely opaque wh
H
objects. Aerosols ejected into the u
are w n
he the night sky is inky black.
ll
l
u
u
m
m
i
i
n
n
a
a
t
t
i
i
o
o
n
n
General s ct transparency.
Whi o making
em difficult, if not impossible, to see. To maximize your observing, limit deep sky viewing to moonless nights far
om the light polluted skies found around major urban areas. LPR filters enhance deep sky viewing from light
polluted areas by blocking unwanted light while transmitting light from certain deep sky objects. You can, on the other
hand, observe planets and stars from light polluted areas or when the Moon is out.
ky brightening caused by the Moon, aurorae, natural airglow, and light pollution greatly affe
le n t a problem for the brighter stars and planets, bright skies reduce the contrast of extended nebulae
th
fr