Scanning/Flipping & Mirror images to create Star Maps that Match the EP

[Davekyn]

Can anyone explain the procedure to get images, either scanned from Books or captured from Software; the right way up to match the image in the Eye Piece of a Refractor & then a Newtonian.

IS IT…a simple case of mirroring the image if only using a Refractor?
IS IT…a Simple case of flipping then mirroring the image if using a Newtonian?

Any help would be appreciated…using the binos with star maps is easy, but even after making maps to take with me by either means of printed or digitized I still get very confused when I go deep into the star patterns. I am very confused on which way is up & down, and unsure of what settings to use when copying maps to take.

Thanks again
Dave :)
I'm heading out for an all nighter with all my gear and would appreciate a response from anyone as soon as you can...Thank Again Guys :)-

[astro744]

Dont worry too much about up and down as it's all a matter of hour you turn your head or the chart and on which side of the telescope you are. EQ mounted Newts are a good example.

Left/right reversal is another matter entirely and no matter how you turn any chart it will always be back-to-front (ie mirror reversed).

Any ODD number of reflections create a mirror reversed image. eg Refractor diagonal = one relfective surface. eg. SCT with diagonal = three reflectives surfaces.

Any EVEN number of reflections create a non-mirrored or corrected image view. The view could be upside down and usually is but it depends on how you turn your head with respect to the eyepiece and at what angle the eyepiece is with respect to thew ground. eg. A Newtonian reflector = two reflective surfaces.

Some astro software can now can print reversed images to match what you see in a single mirror finder or refractor or SCT with a diagonal.

[Davekyn]

Thanks Astro,
Had an awesome night last night!!!!!!!!!, and getting much better with the different orientations. Thanks for your feedback, as it helps to clarify the way I'm thinking on the subject. :thumbsup:

Will write up my nights experience in the Obs section...BEST NIGHT I ever Had!!!!!!!!!!!! My Mate, Son & I where constantly finding things and saw heaps of meteors...yadda yadds.......
Thanks Again Astro!;)

[astro744]

Sounds like a fantastic evening, well done!

Low power reversed images are more difficult to get your head around and do the mental flip but you can get used to it. I have never used reversed printed charts since they are useless for unaided eye use.

On a Dob mounted 'scope you usually talk about left/right and up/down but you could also think in terms of north/south and east/west although the latter is much easier on an EQ mounted 'scope since that is how the axes or rotation are oriented.

Sounds like you've mastered whatever method you have used and it's working for you. Enjoy!

[Outbackmanyep]

Which ever way your star drifts (if you don't have motorised drives turned on etc) then that is WEST, in my 10" dob North is always counterclockwise to WEST.

In my SCT with star diagonal, South is Up and West is to the right, but only if your star diagonal is vertical to the tube.