Hello, from johnboy 56..

[johnboy56]

Hi all, just joined this site to ask questions etc as I have a Celestron 114eq Telescope as a birthday prezzie a few weeks ago.. Having assembled the 'scope, need some tips on how to observe the stars/planets correctly and which would be a good informative book/magazine on Astronomy for a very-much-beginner? Cheers, John.

[Bizibilder]

Hello John and welcome to SGL!!  A couple of books:  "Turn Left at Orion" and "Sky at Night" magazine should help you on your way.  You could download "Stellarium" to help you find you way around the sky (it's freeware).  If in doubt ask on the forum and folk will help you out.

[David Smith]

Hello John, welcome to SGL.

[purdo]

Hi John & Welcome to SGL.

[swag72]

Hi and welcome to SGL - There's some great tutorials in the beginners section. You could also download Stellarium, a free planetarium programme - That will give you some guidance on what's about and where.

Look forward to seeing you around

[JamesM]

Hi John and welcome to the forum

Clear skies

[ToxoLight]

Hi John and welcome to the lounge.

[Mr Spock]

Hi John, welcome to SGL

[gingergeek]

Hi there and welcome to SGL

[thanders]

Hi John!

Welcome from Sweden.

/T

[Saganite]

Hi John and welcome.

[Pete Presland]

Hi welcome to SGL from Pete in Bedfordshire

[michigander]

Welcome to SGL, John!

Dana

[PeterCPC]

Hi neighbour and welcome.

Peter

[ronl]

Hi John and welcome to S G L

Have a great time with your new scope and your new pastime.

Good Luck and Clear Sky's

[glowjet]

Hi John and welcome to SGL

[Charon]

Welcome aboard.

[RT65CB-SWL]

Hi 'johnboy56' and welcome to SGL.

1. align finderscope or RDF (red dot finder) on a distant object with view of what you seen in OTA (optical tube assembly)

2. start with your lowest e/p (eyepiece) and increase work your way up. ie 25mm --> 10mm

3. add Barlow lens to 25mm, (if you have one), then multiply 'X'* x, then same again for the 10mm.

4. cheaper than some Barlow's is a MagniMax: http://www.scopesnskies.com/prod/astro-engineering/barlow/astrophotography/AC555.html It simply screws on the nosepiece of the e/p and are 1.6x

5. don't worry if the object/view during daylight is upside down. This is normal in astronomical telescopes. more glass = less photons

* 'X' = Barlow lenses come in various multiplying/amplifying strengths. The most 'common' ones are: 1.5x / 2.0x / 2.5x / 3.0x (I have a 2.8x).

ImageMate's & PowerMate's have a different lens design to the Barlow. The attached link: http://www.televue.com/engine/TV3b_page.asp?id=53&Tab=_dev#.VKDedcgA explains the differences.

[Vox45]

Hello and welcome to the forum

Clear skies