· Get a Cloudy Nights T-Shirt · Submit a Review / Article Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums Privacy Policy | Please read our Terms of Service | Signup and Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu… uh, User You are not logged in. [Login] Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online FAQ · Calendar General Astronomy >> Outreach Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Pages: 1 Doc Willie Pooh-Bah Reged: 03/31/10 Loc: Mid-Hudson Valley, NY, USA Tips for the public on viewing       #5713181 - 03/04/13 07:29 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I made this slide in my "Toninght's Sky" for public presentations. --------------------- HOW TO LOOK Sit Adjust your head to the eyepiece Do NOT touch the eyepiece Use the focuser (with permission) Spend some time with details and the faint stuff Use averted vision -------------------- Anything else I should add? Post Extras:       csrlice12 Post Laureate Reged: 05/22/12 Loc: Denver, CO Re: Tips for the public on viewing [Re: Doc Willie]       #5714245 - 03/05/13 11:30 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Don't Spit down the telescope tube..... For some, (not all), nudging techniques... Post Extras:       Skylook123 Postmaster Reged: 04/30/05 Loc: Tucson, AZ Re: Tips for the public on viewing [Re: csrlice12]       #5714728 - 03/05/13 03:47 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Doc, the focuser note is SO important. I tell my audiences that a telescope is a monocle, and everyone has a unique prescription. Luckily, I'm about 20/100 without glasses so if I focus for myself, most folks can deal with it but, after all, that's MY prescription, not theirs, so I try to phrase it so they understand it's an individual characteristic, not a flaw nor a fixed parameter of the scope. If sittting is not an option, like when I set up my SCT for kids at elementary schools and their parents are along, I remind them that at night, bending over, dizziness or balance can interfere and not to push beyond a comfort level. Especially true for older people when bending over without external visual references; the inner ear can betray them. Post Extras:       kfiscus professor emeritus Reged: 07/09/12 Loc: Albert Lea, MN, USA Re: Tips for the public on viewing [Re: Skylook123]       #5715212 - 03/05/13 07:42 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I tell people that most glasses wearers find that they have to remove them- but not everyone. THEN I show them the focuser knobs telling them that everyone's eyes are different. Post Extras:       Skylook123 Postmaster Reged: 04/30/05 Loc: Tucson, AZ Re: Tips for the public on viewing [Re: kfiscus]       #5715592 - 03/05/13 11:14 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   If I use an old Plossl eyepiece, the eye relief allows the glasses wearers the freedom to use them. If I use a Panoptic or Nagler, however, the eye relief is so doggone short that glasses are a tremendous impediment unless their astigmatism is so profound they absolutely must use them. Myself, I need at least 300X to over come my own astigmatism so my normal 115X Panoptic is a challenge on planets and double stars for me, but give gorgeous context. Post Extras:       tezster professor emeritus Reged: 07/14/09 Loc: Missisauga, Canada Re: Tips for the public on viewing [Re: Skylook123]       #5715928 - 03/06/13 08:10 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   As far as viewing comfortably through the EP, I've always worn glases while observing, and I simply tell people they can keep their glasses on if they wish, or take them off, whichever they feel most comfortable with. All EPs I've owned have had 20mm+ of ER Post Extras:       Doc Willie Pooh-Bah Reged: 03/31/10 Loc: Mid-Hudson Valley, NY, USA Re: Tips for the public on viewing [Re: Skylook123]       #5715952 - 03/06/13 08:29 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   A discussion of whether or not to remove glasses seems a useful addition. Next slide: STAR PARTY ETIQUETTE NO white light Ask before using or touching a scope No food or smoking near telescopes Keep children under control Post Extras:       Footbag Carpal Tunnel Reged: 04/13/09 Loc: Scranton, PA Re: Tips for the public on viewing [Re: Doc Willie]       #5716957 - 03/06/13 05:57 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I agree that using the focuser is part of effectively observing an object, but I only mention it to people who seem to have sufficient interest and respect for the equipment. As for glasses, "Wear them if you need them." Post Extras:       Pages: 1 Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Extra information 0 registered and 2 anonymous users are browsing this forum. 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