Is it twinkling? Or is it an illusion?

We can now use our telescope for beginners and learn for ourselves!

Stars in the night sky appear to twinkle, but really it’s an illusion. The light from the star must travel through the Earth’s atmosphere which distorts its appearance. NASA compares this visual effect to looking at an object through water.

This same effect will occur when we look through a telescope. When Galileo looked through the first telescope in 1609 he was able to make out craters on the moon and even the milky way galaxy. Since then, telescopes have drastically improved and we can see clearly an abundance of stars, planets, and nebulas.

The effect of the Earth’s atmosphere will still be present on the objects we see in our telescopes, but the view is well worth it.

If you’re ready to view the night sky, it’s time to identify its many objects and wonders. So, get out your telescope and read on to use our telescope for a beginner’s guide to learn more about what you see in space.

Using a Telescope for Beginners Guide

So, you’ve just received your telescope and you simply can’t wait to catch a glimpse of the night sky. After you’ve properly set it up, it’s time to identify what you see. Explore the following objects you’ll see in your telescope so you can create your own space map.

1. Saturn

There’s nothing like seeing Saturn for the first time through a telescope. Saturn can also be viewed without a telescope, but to see its rings you’ll need to peer through a telescope. And when you do, you’ll be astonished at how spectacular it really is.

Saturn is the sixth planet from the sun. Saturn has 62 moons and it is actually shaped similarly to a flattened ball. This flattening effect occurs because Saturn rotates on its axis so quickly that its equator bows out.

It’s unlikely that you’ll be able to see any moons or witness this flattening effect, but impressing your friends with these facts is sure to be a big hit.

2. Jupiter

Jupiter is Saturn’s neighbor and is the fifth planet from the sun. It is the largest planet in our solar system and has 67 moons. Four of these moons can be seen with a powerful enough telescope in good viewing condition.

One thing to look for when looking at it through a telescope is its large Giant Red Spot. The Giant Red Spot is actually a storm that’s been raging on for at least 350 years. Over time it’s gotten smaller, but scientists expect another storm to emerge on the planet at some point due to how fast Jupiter spins.

In fact, Jupiter is the fastest moving planet in our solar system! It only takes Jupiter 10 hours to rotate fully on its axis.

3. Mars

Mars is our closest neighbor and is known as the Red Planet. It’s the fourth planet from the sun and gets its color from high amounts of rust (iron oxide) located in the soil and rocks.

It’s red color also makes it one of the easiest objects to spot in the sky.

Mars has two moons, but not for long in terms of space objects. It is believed that one its moons will crash into Mars in the future ending its 30 to 50 million year lifespan.

To purchase a telescope to see Mars visit https://www.patiosusa.com/manufacturers/telescope/

4. The Moon

Many astronomers and science lovers first started directing their curiosity toward the moon. We wondered how it got there, why it looked that way, and why it changed shape.

When we get our first telescopes, we can get an up-close view to see it for ourselves! The moon is actually remnants of a planet that crashed into Earth millions of years ago.

The dark areas we see on the moon are spots where meteorites hit the moon. These collisions then caused the moon to flood with hot lava and then cool.

View the moon at various phases to see which you enjoy the most. Some say the moon is best viewed when its a quarter or less full, but it can be spectacular during any phase.

Humans first visited in the moon in the 1960s, but did you know you can also be buried there now? That’s right, for $12,000 you can now have your ashes spread on the moon.

5. Albireo

Albireo is a double star famous for its contrasting colors. One star is blue and the other is golden yellow. It is located in the Cygnus Constellation.

The brighter yellow star is larger than its companion blue star. However, it’s unknown how these stars relate to one another gravitationally or orbitally.

Albireo isn’t the brightest star in the sky, but it’s contrasting colors make it a joy for telescope users to view. Albireo can be seen using even a small telescope at 30x magnification.

6. Dumbbell Nebula

The Dumbell Nebula is located southwest of Albireo.

Nebulae are space’s version of a cloud. Except these clouds are made up of dust and gas. Nebulae are sometimes referred to as “Star Nurseries” because stars are beginning to form within them.

When the nebula’s elements expand and get large enough they collapse. This collapse results in the center of the nebula heating up. This heated core means a star is born!

However, some nebulae are regions where old star have died out leaving behind their matter after an explosion.  They glow because of radiation from a nearby object.

Viewing a nebula in a telescope is a thrilling experience. Their beautiful colors make them visually captivating leaving us wanting to learn and see more.

Ready to Use This Telescope for Beginners Guide?

Using this telescope for beginners guide will help you to identify the best space objects to view in the night sky. Not all of these objects can be viewed at all times of the year, however. So, make sure to research when you can see these objects and where they are located at that time of the year.

Be ready to be amazed and to enjoy using your telescope to explore the Universe!

Want to bring your love for science back down to Earth? Check out our blog post detailing 10 unusual things around the world.