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Observation Tools

This guide will assist you in choosing and using the many different observation tools. First, you will need eyes. Most of have two, which is one more than is needed for the average eyepiece, unless you are using binoculars. Others may have more. Mothers, for example seem to have eyes in the back of their head. This could be very useful if they have two pair of binoculars or a telescope and a pair of binoculars.

• Sun & Moon data for the current Month will help you plan your observation sessions.
• Telescopes
  • The Care and Feeding of an Astronomical Telescope is the single most important aspect of owning an astronomical telescope. If you don't take care of your telescope, what you see through your telescope will look distorted and fuzzy. And if you don't feed your telescope, you might as well turn it into a very expensive lamp, or a kitty condo, if you own a Newtonian.
  • Perhaps you would like to build your own telescope. Where do you begin? The Tallahasee (Florida, USA) Astronomcal Society has an excellent reference on amateur telescope making. TAS also keeps a current resource list for amateur telescope makers. There is also the Amateur Telescope Maker's Journal.
  • If you wish to design your own telescope, visit Mark Van de Wettering's Notes for the Amateur Telescope Maker. It contains information that a telescope builder will find useful. At New Mexico State University you will find a site that covers the conversion factors, material properties, and constants related to telescope design.