Operational Telescope : Celestron Nexstar 4 SE

In the previous post, we have discussed about the parts and functions of Celestron Nexstar 4 SE telescope, visit this link Celestron Nexstar 4SE  .In this post, we will discuss about the operational of this telescope. here are some guides:

Source : Manual Book Celestron Nexstar 4 SE

1. Assembling.
a. Set up a tripod and set the plain by using a waterpass.
b. Attach the mount and the telescope tube.
c. Attach the star pointer and calibrate it by adjusting altitude and azimuth knob, keeping the pointer pointing at the same point as the point on the telescope tube.
d. Install the energy. Energy can be obtained by installing 12v AC adapters or by using 8 AA batteries.
e. Attach the hand control

2. Positioning 
There are two positions that can be used to operate the telescope, depending on what method is used :
a. Alt-azimuth Method,
By this method, the operation of the telescope will correspond to the horizontal coordinates, the telescope will move horizontally and vertically. with this method the telescope must be arranged northward with the aid of the compass, then the telescope tube is set to the index position.
b. Equatorial Method
By this method, the operation of the telescope will correspond to the equatorial coordinate, the telescope will move to adjust the declination value and ascensio recta value of celestial body. with this method the latitude stick must be adjusted according to the observer's latitude, then the tube is set at the index position, and the position of the telescope must face to the meridian.

3. Operational 
a. Set Up the Controller 
There are some rules to set:
- Coordinates, can be input manually or through a city database
- Date
- Time, current time at the time of setting.

b. Alignment
- Sky Align, using this alignment we will be guided by the telescope. telescopes will choose the best celestial bodies to serve as alignment objects, can be stars, planets or other objects that are easy to detect.
- Auto Two-Star Align, using this alignment we will be selected 2 stars automatically to serve as alignment object.
- Two Star Alignment, we need to select manually 2 stars for the alignment object.
- One-Star Align, we need to choose one star for the alignment object.
- Solar System Align, we need to choose one object that include to solar system, that is planet or sun.
- EQ North / EQ South Alignment, this alignment is done when we choose to use equatorial method when doing step positioning. such as some alignment above, this alignment also has some kinds : EQ Auto Align, Two-Star Align EQ, One-Star Align EQ, EQ Solar System Align.

To improve calibration accuracy, choose alignment that supports a large number of sky objects (2 or more), if alignment is done but the accuracy level is bad, so alignment can be fixed with "sync" menu.

c. Tracking
After doing some arrangement as we mentioned above then telescope can be enabled to see the celestial objects automatically and follow it's movement. there are several objects that can be observed, including by using the following menu:
- LIST Menu, to search for sky objects "Named Star, Named Object, Double Stars, Variable Star"
- Catalog menu (M, CALD, NGC, STAR), to search for celestial objects through the number of objects.
- PLANET menu, to search for planetary celestial bodies.

Observation of celestial bodies can also use several methods such as:
- Tour Mode: to see interesting sky objects when observation time

- Constellation Tour: to see and observe the configuration of the stars that make up the constellations.

d. Focusing 
This stage is to be done to sharpen the image produced on the eyepiece lens, this stage is done by turning Focuser on OTA until our eyes feel comfortable to see the object, and the result object is not blur. Each observer's individual eye is different in focus settings, this is because of the possibility of eye defects in the eye's lens

e. Setup Tracking
Telescopes can follow the movement of celestial bodies, but it must be set in advance setup tracking with 2 settings:
- Tracking Mode, must adapt to the telescope mounting method. (Alt-Az, EQ North, EQ South)

- Tracking Rate, must adjust to the object being observed (Sideral, Lunar, Solar).

If yo want to compare the method of this telescope with other telescope visit this link. Opertional Telescope : Ioptron Minitower II.

Introduction to Islamic astronomy (Falak)

Falak (Orbit)

Source : bbc.co.uk

The definition of Islamic astronom (Falak) according to language means orbit, whereas according to the term, Falak is a science, the science that discusses the astronomical conditions of celestial bodies associated with Islamic Shari'a. There are 4 scopes in the study of Islamic astronomy :

1. Qibla direction = discuss the Islamic Shari'a on liability facing the Qiblah while praying, even when not only praying but also when slaughtering sacrificial animals and when burying. To know the direction of the Qiblah can be traced with the science of Islamic astronomy in the discussion of the various directions on the surface of Earth that is experienced from geodesy science. visit this link to know what the Rules of Facing The Qibla.

2. Time of Salat = discusses the obligation to perform the prayers in due time. To know the time of prayer is also required Islamic astronomy science that is experienced from the science of the spherical trigonometry  in the discussion of the daily movement of the Sun's pseudo Earth, visit this link to know what the Prayer Times Marker.

3. The first lunar month = this discussion started from the obligation to perform fasting during Ramadan, when will Ramadan come ?, in this case we can know with Islamic astronomy that discusses the Crescent Moon Phase on the surface of the Earth, The phase is influenced by the circulation of the Earth against Sun, because the light of the Moon comes from the Sun, so the Moon as the Earth's natural satellite reflects light from the sun that directly fell to Earth.

4. Eclipse = this discussion also started from the Islamic Shari'a regarding the extinction in praying during the eclipse, when will the eclipse happen ?. In this case we can also know when the eclipse occurred with Islamic astronomy that discusses the phase of conjunction and opposition of the Sun, Earth, Moon in a straight line.

Islamic astronomy is not as difficult as it is in our minds. Islamic astronomy is fun! It has become one of the most rare sciences of today. Indeed seen by the eyes of astronomy more advanced knowledge, but it is a modern astronomy. Not Islamic astronomy. Rarely anyone learns this science, when in fact this science is very important because it is needed in the religion of Islam.

Learning Astrophotography Techniques at Night

Astrophotography is a branch of astronomy that specializes in the field of photography. 

Astrophotography can also be known as a photography technique to photograph the state of the sky, be it morning, noon, afternoon or evening. 

The state of the sky is always changing every time. If we want to photograph an object in the sky, then we must know in advance how the character of the state of the sky. 

For the night, if we want to photograph the moon with a very bright light like at full moon it is necessary to set low ISO, low shutter speed and also low diaphragm. Make ISO 100, shutter speed about 1/60, and diaphragm (f) 3.5 - 5.

This is different if the month being photographed is a new moon, or commonly known as crescent. Very thin moonlight requires light absorption by a sizable camera. Set ISO 200, shutter speed 5 "- 10", and diaphragm (f) 3.5.

Good luck!

Binoculars

Binoculars are a device that enters the telescope class which means an astronomical device used to magnify the object from a distance, increases the angular size and brightness of the object, but the function of the telescope is actually more in use, not just for the observation of the stars alone , But also used for purposes such as military and shipping. Binoculars of this type is also commonly called "Teropong Medan" (in Indonesia), there are also commonly called "Kiyker". With binoculars objects can be observed stereoscopic (three dimensional)

Binoculars come from the Latin, "bi" meaning two, and "oculus" meaning the eye. As the name implies, this tool has 2 visions / tubes that adjust the amount of our eyes. In it, this binocular has a prism that is used to "fold" the cross-light line so as to produce a shadow in the right direction. With this binocular, the observed objects will be real and will not be reversed.

How binocular lenses work?

Lens Composition

1. Binocular with Erecting Lenses

(Visualization Erecting Lens) 

Source: en.wikipedia.org

This type of binocular can produce zoomed-in / zoom-out as desired, without having to replace eyepiece first. The arrangement for these lenses is Objectif Lens - Erectic Lens - Prism - Eyepiece / Oculer Lens. Erecting Lens position can be shifted, the further position of Erectic Lens from Objectif Lens then the visualization of the observed objects the greater, and vice versa
.
2. Porro Prism Binocular

(Porro Prism Visualization) 

Source: en.wikipedia.org

This type of binoculars has 2 prisms that serve to invert the shadow, the first prism after the objective lens serves to invert the shadow vertically, and the second lens serves to invert the image horizontally. The order is: Objectif Lens - Double Porro Prism - Eyepiece / Oculer Lens.

(Binocular with Porro Prism) 

Source: en.wikipedia.org

This Porro prism produces perfect reflection and refinement. One form of this prism is a 45 ° angled angle, this bracket is used as a double reflector. This prism reverses only one direction using two prisms enforced with each other can be held two-way reversal.

C. Roof Prism Binocular

(Roof Prism Visualization) 

Source: en.wikipedia.org

This type of binoculars has only one prism, and its properties directly invert the shadow horizontally and vertically so that the resulting image is real. This type of binocular physically has a straight appearance because it uses Roof-Prism type prism. The order is: Objective Lens - Roof Prism - Eyepiece / Oculer Lens

(Binocular with Roof Prism) 

Source: en.wikipedia.org

Focuser Position

1. Independent Focus,
Each binocular tube has its own focus regulator. So in the focusing phase just by adjusting the focuser of each binocular tube.

(Binocular with Independent Focus) 

Source: thebinocularshop.com

2. Central focus
Two tubes have only one focuser, but this type of binoculars in one tube usually have a special focuser, this special focuser is required for anisometropic patients

(Binocular with Central Focus) 

Source: 365astronomy.com

Types of Objective Lenses

The outer surface of this objective lens is a protective layer which is usually called a coating. The function of this coating is various, such as anti-reflection, ultra violet filter, light transmition and others. Among the common coatings used in some binoculars are:

1. Red Coating (Ultra Violet Filter)
The red color is dominated for protection in maximum lighting conditions. Binoculars with red coating colors are very well used for daylight in bright light conditions, because they can reduce almost 1/3 light, especially UV light, eg in the desert or hotspot field areas.

2. Blue Coating (Anti Reflection)
The blue color in binocular coating is the most we encounter, blue is the basic coating type, because the standardization of the lens usually must have anti-reflection for each blink of the eye, or reflex light when aiming the target does not make the head become dizzy. Binocular with blue coating is very well used for various conditions, both day and night.

3. Green Coating (Light Transmition)
The green color in the binocular lens is usually a light transmition type of amber stone that is able to drain light on all parts of the image of the captured object lens. Coating type of light transmition is suitable for use in low lighting conditions, eg at dusk or in a dimly lit (not dark without light) so it looks brighter.

4. Multi Coating (Multi Filter)
Not infrequently there are also several other colors, in addition to green, red and blue, such as purple, orange, and others, the color is the result of a combination of multiple coatings combined to benefit from multiple filters.

Types of Mounting

Until now there are no telescope manufacturers that make a special mounting binocular based on semi-automatic (motoric) and automatic (robotic). There is only binocular based hand claps and manual mounting. If you want to use binoculars with automatic mounting or commonly known robotic mounting, can be combined with mounting binoculars with a little modification.

(Modification Celestron Nextar Mount with Orion BT70 Binocular)

Source: id.pinterest.com