Page 57 - BBC Sky at Night Beginners Guide to Astronomy - 2017 UK

WHAT TO USE

ALSO ON
THE LIST

POLAR SCOPE
This is also known
as a polar alignment
scope and it is used
to help you align
your telescope on
the north celestial
pole. This accurate
alignment method is
useful for anyone
who’s planning to
photograph the night
sky or observe with high
magnifi cation eyepieces.
MOTOR DRIVES
A motor drive is a
very good accessory
if you like to draw
or photograph while
you’re observing.
It means you won’t
need to twiddle dials
constantly, as the drive
does the job of keeping
the scope pointing at
the same place.

POWER PACK
Essential accessories Motor drives can run
(from left): cleaning on batteries but these
kit, red light torch, don’t particularly like
angled fi nderscope, cold places, such as
red-dot refl ex fi nder observing in the chill
and dew shield of the night, so they
might not perform well.
Another option is to
session of stargazing. One way of keeping this
wish to observe and there it will be in the main there it will be in the main session of stargazing One way of keeping this buy a power pack – a
telescope’s view. Other versions are available, such night-time moisture off your equipment is to use a rechargeable, longer-
as the Telrad, which gives an unmagnifi ed view dew shield. These are available from all telescope lasting power supply.
with three red circles overlaid on it, like a bullseye. retailers, but many people choose to make a shield
SCOPE COVER
Next up is a red torch – essential for being able to for their scope as this is relatively simple to do. For
After observing, if your
see in the black of night without ruining your dark- example, you can get a thin, foam camping mat, cut scope is not being
adapted eyes. You can buy them fairly cheaply, or it to size and wrap it around the tube. stored in its box, then
you can adapt a torch you already own by covering Finally, but importantly, every astronomer the best way to keep it
the end in red acetate secured with a rubber band, should have a basic cleaning kit to keep their safe is to buy or make a
or painting over the end with red nail varnish. precious optics clean. This should contain a bottle complete scope cover.
This will protect it from
of cleaning fl uid, a micro-fi bre cleaning cloth, a knocks, scratches and,
OTHER EXTRAS pack of cotton buds, some acid-free lens cleaning more importantly, from PAUL WHITFIELD X 4
Any astronomer will tell you that dew has a habit tissues, a soft retractable brush and a blower bulb dust and dirt.
of gathering on the lens or mirror during a night for removing larger dirt particles.
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