Quote:
Originally Posted by sdflksjfwkj
Hey guys, Ive had my telescope for a massive 2 hours and ive already looked at the moon with it, but what else can i look at and how the hell do I find these things in the nights sky?!
ive got a 130mm aperture reflector with a focal length of 900mm
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Great question.
THE MOON
You could spend a month viewing the moon and never run out of things to study and explore. Here is the chart I use.
https://www.amazon.com/Orion-51919-M...ion+Moon+chart
Note that the full moon is the worst time to view the moon. Much better if it is only partially lit. You want to focus on the terminator between light and dark. That is where you get the best contrast to see details.
Many find the moon so bright it hurts the eyes. So we use moon filters. This is the one I have.
https://www.amazon.com/Orion-1-25-In...on+Moon+filter
If you don't have a computerized GoTo scope then you will need to learn to Star Hop
STAR HOPPING
Star hopping guide
http://www.nightskyinfo.com/star-hopping/
Star hopping 101 – Video play list
https://www.youtube.com/view_play_li...B0AD5D29A76981
BOOKS AND CHARTS
Beginner Astronomy Book - My favorite is Turn Left at Orion - probably the best first book for someone getting involved. I am in the USA. I am not sure if it would be the best choice in the southern hemisphere but others can coach you on that.
http://www.amazon.com/Turn-Left-Orio...+left+at+orion
Having some kind of star chart is good. I have the Interstellarium Deep Sky Atlas.
https://www.abebooks.com/Interstella...81107503380NEW
SOFTWARE
Free computer software - Load Stellarium on your home computer - This is the greatest aid to the amateur astronomer. I use this every day even if I am not observing.
http://stellarium.org/
Getting Started with Stellarium
https://www.youtube.com/watch?annota...&v=CrT9ZW5YB6c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYF7SR99ZOw
Load an app on your phone/tablet. You can get Stellarium for your phone.
I use SkEye for android. Point the phone at a bright star in the sky and it will show you are chart of what is in that part of the sky. There may be better phone apps for your area.
CREATING YOUR OBSERVATION LIST
I use Tonight's Sky to make up a target list for that night.
http://www.tonightssky.com/MainPage.php
I threw a lot at you but this is what you want to do since you don't have a computerized scope to find things for you.
