Saturday, December 08, 2007

The Moon Through Your Astronomy Telescope


For astronomers, especially the stargazing novice and hobbyists, the moon is one of the solar system objects on which their refracting telescope, reflectors or any other astronomical telescopes are often trained at.

What is with the moon, why most would love to stare at it, study it, whether with the naked or the aid of the telescope? Well, aside from the fact that this luminescent lunar globe is considered by many as a celestial object of romance – short of being hypnotic – it is simply there for everyone to behold.

Even without your astronomy telescope, the moon can be easily located. Just look up the clear night sky and you can see the moon and admire its beauty. But if you want a more detailed look, you definitely need to have your telescope. The moon’s craters can be seen by the naked eye, but you can see a thousand times better if you have an optical gadget to use.

Scientists have actually given names to the various lunar features such as the seas and mountain, not to mention the craters. And so it can be very helpful of you have a lunar map which you can use to identify those that you see in your telescope. Or perhaps what you can do is to find on the moon the craters that are identified on the map. Don’t you think this is an astronomical task that’s interesting and a lot of fun?

Indeed, if you are new to star gazing, the moon is one of the first objects you are recommended to check with your astronomical telescope. And with its magnificent images, it will definitely inspire you to seriously pursue stargazing and the science of astronomy.

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