User manual CELESTRON CO-114

[. . . ] The PowerSeeker series features a compact and portable design with ample optical performance to excite any newcomer to the world of amateur astronomy. In addition, your PowerSeeker telescope is ideal for terrestrial observations which will open your eyes with its superb high power viewing. CD-ROM "The SkyX -- astronomy software which provides education about the sky and printable sky maps. All models can be used terrestrially as well as astronomically with the standard accessories included. [. . . ] However, the appearance of this motion varies depending on where you are looking in the sky. Near the north celestial pole the stars scribe out recognizable circles centered on the pole (1). Stars near the celestial equator also follow circular paths around the pole. Looking toward the opposite pole, stars curve or arc in the opposite direction scribing a circle around the opposite pole (3). This section covers visual observing hints for both solar system and deep sky objects as well as general observing conditions which will affect your ability to observe. At this time, the face we see is fully illuminated and its light can be overpowering. One of the best times to observe the Moon is during its partial phases (around the time of first or third quarter). At low power you will be able to see most of the lunar disk at one time. To increase contrast and bring out detail on the lunar surface, use optional filters. A yellow filter works well at improving contrast while a neutral density or polarizing filter will reduce overall surface brightness and glare. Mars can reveal a host of surface detail and one, if not both, of its polar caps. If you're using another eyepiece, then consult the section on determining field of view. The Andromeda Galaxy (Figure 5-1), also known as M31, is an easy target. Locate the constellation of Pegasus, a large square visible in the fall (in the eastern sky, moving toward the point overhead) and winter months (overhead, moving toward the west). There you will find two stars of equal brightness--Delta ( ) and Pi ( ) Andromeda--about 3° apart. There you will find two stars--Beta ( ) and Mu ( ) Andromedae-- also about 3° apart. Move 3° northwest--the same distance between the two stars--to the Andromeda galaxy. Star hopping to the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) is a snap, since all the stars needed to do so are visible to the naked eye. Star hopping will take some getting used to and objects that don't have stars near them that are visible to the naked eye are challenging. Find the constellation of Lyra, a small parallelogram visible in the summer and fall months. Start at the star Vega--Alpha ( ) Lyrae--and move a few degrees southeast to find the parallelogram. The four stars that make up this geometric shape are all similar in brightness, making them easy to see. [. . . ] The dark obstruction is skewed off to the left side of the diffraction pattern indicating poor collimation. For example, if it appears to flare toward the three o'clock position in the field of view, then you must move whichever screw or combination of collimation screws necessary to move the star's image toward the direction of the flaring. In this example, you would want to move the image of the star in your eyepiece, by adjusting the collimation screws, toward the three o'clock position in the field of view. It may only be necessary to adjust a screw enough to move the star's image from the center of the field of view to about halfway, or less, toward the field's edge (when using a high power ocular). [. . . ]