If you are a lover of nature and astronomy, perhaps you have considered observing the moon with a telescope. It does not matter if you live in the country or in the middle of the city, since the moon can always be easily observed. Of course, if you are a beginner you can start with binoculars. You will not be able to stop admiring its beauty! Here’s how to properly observe the moon.
Use a lunar map
You should use a lunar map and a photograph of the moon as a guide. In this way, you can easily study the most prominent features of the moon. Additionally, lunar maps often show the moon as it would appear with the naked eye or with binoculars. That is, with the north side facing up. However, some astronomical telescopes provide an inverted view. If your telescope turns the moon upside down while your map shows the moon right side up, simply flip the map upside down.
You could also get an inverted view if you are using a telescope in which the eyepiece fits into a fixture called a star diagonal. If this is your case, you will have to mentally flip the moon to match the lunar map. One of the most useful lunar maps is the ‘moon sky and telescope map’. This map is large enough to show fine details. In addition, it is laminated to protect it from dew.
The view through a telescope
Craters on the moon are easier to see through a telescope. Typically 50x magnification is performed for every inch of objective lens aperture. That is, if your telescope has a 2.4-inch refractor, the maximum magnification you should use is 120. Also, remember that it is impossible for a normal telescope to obtain the same image quality as that obtained by observatory telescopes.
If you can, choose a dark, open location where there are no obstacles to your vision of the sky. Avoid cities as they have a lot of light pollution and buildings will hamper your image. Likewise, environmental pollution and the heat of the city will make your image look much worse. Go to the mountains or the sea!
You should also avoid looking through windows, as the glass causes a distortion that will cause you to lose clarity and luminosity.
