EI-5273
AGES
8+
• 10X AND 20X MAGNIFYING GLASS EYE PIECES • ROTATING 3-LENS TURRET DESIGN WITH 50X, 100X, 150X, 300X, AND 600X MAGNIFICATIONS • RACK-AND-PINION FOCUSING • ROTATING MIRROR/ VIEWING LIGHT • DURABLE DIE-CAST METAL FRAME AND WIDE, STABLE BASE • INCLUDES PROFESSIONALLY PREPARED SLIDES AND MORE
INVESTIGATE A WHOLE NEW WORLD FROM CELLS TO CRYSTALS
MicroPro 95-PIECE MICROSCOPE SET
WELCOME TO THE AMAZING MICROSCOPIC WORLD
15
Welcome to the hidden world of the microscope! Your new microscope is an instrument with lenses for making very small objects appear much larger so they can be studied. There are millions of tiny living plants and animals that you can scope out—in amazing detail—with this new tool.
12
In today’s technological world, every field of science uses microscopes. Microscopes are used by biologists for studying microorganisms, by geologists for studying rocks and minerals, by archaeologists for studying ancient artifacts, and by astronomers for studying fallen meteorites. Far out!
6
17
16 14
3
Your microscope set contains the following parts:
2
1 10x eyepiece
1 Magnifying glass
1 20x eyepiece
1 Measuring graduate
1 Scalpel
1 Spare light bulb
1 Spatula
6 Specimen vials
1 Tweezers
5 Prepared slides
1 Test tube with cap
18 Blank slides
1 Petri dish
18 Slide labels
1 Pipette
36 Slide covers
1 Stirring rod
Instruction and activity guide
11
2 13
5
4 10
7
1
8, 9
WHAT IS ALL THIS STUFF? 1. M icroscope and eyepieces—The microscope holds samples of very small things on clear slides. It shines a bright light through the small sample, and then lenses make the sample look very big. Your microscope includes two eyepieces—special magnifying lenses that work with your microscope’s other lenses. These eyepieces can make things look 50 times, 100 times, 150 times, 300 times or even 600 times larger than the way you see them with your own eyes. 2. S calpel—A scalpel is a sharp blade used to cut very thin pieces of material so you can look at them with your microscope. 3. S patula—The spatula has a large flat blade, but it is not as sharp as the scalpel. The spatula is used for scraping off bits of material for testing and to mash and flatten soft samples. 4. T weezers—The tweezers are used to pick up small specimens and to handle samples that you don’t want to touch with your hands—like slimy mold! 5. T est tube with cap—This thin, clear tube is used to hold liquid samples and makes it easy to see if anything is happening, like specimens changing color.
9. B lank slides—These are the clear slides that you will place your prepared samples on for examination under your microscope. 10. Slide labels—These are little pieces of paper with sticky backs. You can write on them and stick them on your slides to record information such as when the sample was prepared. 11. Slide covers—These are little squares made of thin, clear plastic. They are used to cover very small samples on a slide. 12. Specimen vials—These are little plastic bottles with tight-fitting lids. You can use them to collect and store small amounts of liquid to examine later or to carry your samples from where you collected them to where you have your microscope set up. 13. Stirring rod—Use this rod to mix fluids, like salt and water, until they are well blended. 14. Magnifying glass—Use this tool to take a closer look at a sample before you examine it under your microscope’s high-power magnification
6. P etri dish—This round, flat dish with a clear cover is used to grow and observe samples, such as molds.
15. Measuring graduate—This plastic cup is marked with measuring lines so that you can accurately measure quantities of liquids in your experiments.
7. P ipette—This is a plastic device that you can dip into a liquid to transfer drops to a slide for examination.
16. Spare light bulb—This bulb will replace the one in your microscope’s illuminator lamp when it eventually wears out.
8. P repared slides—These slides contain samples prepared by professionals for you to review. 3
GET TO KNOW YOUR MICROSCOPE: 1. Eyepiece 2. Body tube 3. Focusing knobs 4. Rotating turret 5. Objective lenses 6. Arm 7. Stage 8. Slide clips 9. Mirror 10. E lectric illuminator lamp 11. Base
1. Eyepiece You’ll look into your microscope through the eyepiece, which is a small magnifying lens that collects the image projected up by the three objective lenses. Your microscope comes with two different eyepieces. The 10X eyepiece makes an image look 10 times larger. The 20X eyepiece makes an image look 20 times larger.
4. Rotating turret The turret holds the three objective lenses. To change the lenses, rotate the turret slowly until each lens clicks into position.
5. Objective lenses The objective lenses are the lenses closest to the objects you are examining. Your microscope has three objective lenses, each with a different magnifying power. The shortest lens has the lowest magnifying power (5X). The longest lens has the highest magnifying power (30X). The third lens has a magnifying power between the two (15X). The objective lenses work with the eyepieces to give your microscope a range of magnifications. With the 10X eyepiece in place, your microscope makes samples look 50 times (50X), 150 times (150X), and 300 times (300X) larger than they appear to your eyes. With the 20X eyepiece in place, your microscope makes samples look 100 times (100X), 300 times (300X), and 600 times (600X) larger than you can see them with your own eyes.
9. Mirror The mirror aims light from a bright source, like a sunlit window or a table lamp, up through the slide you’re studying so you can see the specimen more clearly.
4
10. Illuminator lamp When there is not enough light available for the mirror to do its job, turn the mirror over and the bright electric illuminator will automatically light your sample.
SETTING UP YOUR MICROSCOPE
2. Body tube This is the main tube of the microscope. The image from the sample travels up this tube to the eyepiece.
3. Focusing knob Turn these knobs very slowly to bring the image of your sample into focus so you can see it clearly.
6. Arm This curved piece is the “backbone” of the microscope and holds everything together. Tilt the arm backward for a more comfortable viewing position.
1. Insert two AA alkaline batteries into the base of the microscope, following the instructions on page 6. 2. Place the microscope on a flat surface near a bright light or window (if you’re using it in the daytime). Remove the lens cap and make sure that one of the lenses in the turret is snapped into place, pointing directly at the stage. Locate the mirror and adjust the angle so you see a bright circle of light when you look in the eyepiece. Do not point the mirror towards the sun as eye damage may result. If there is no bright light available, or if the room lighting is poor, flip the mirror over so that the light on the illuminator is aimed upward. The light will turn on by itself. Now, look through the eyepiece and adjust the angle of the light until you see a bright circle. When you see a bright circle of light in the eyepiece, you’re ready to go!
7. Stage The stage is the flat platform that holds your slides for studying.
8. Slide clips The two clips on the stage hold your slide in position so that it doesn’t move around while you’re looking at it.
11. Base (battery compartment) The bottom of the base has a rubber cover to keep your microscope from slipping on a smooth tabletop.
3. Choose one of the prepared sample slides from your set. Place it under the two spring clips on top of the stage. Continued on page 6
5
4. N ext, choose the magnifying power you want to use. Your microscope can provide magnifying powers of 50X, 100X, 150X, 300X, and 600X. Remember that the longer objective lenses used with the higher magnification 20X eyepiece provide the higher powers. For optimal viewing, start at the lowest power and work your way upward. Most observing is done at low power. 5. T o change the magnifying strength, turn the rotating lens turret until you hear a click. 6. T urn the focusing knob until the objective lens is almost touching the slide. Don’t let the lens touch the slide as you may break the slide and damage the lens. Now look through the eyepiece and slowly turn the focusing knob back until you see the sample clearly. 7. T o change the eyepiece and increase or decrease the range of magnification, simply unscrew it from the body tube and replace it with the other eyepiece.
Battery installation and instructions
1. Loosen the screws in the bottom cover of the microscope and remove the cover. 2. Install 2 AA batteries following the diagram inside the compartment: • Always use fresh batteries. • Do not recharge non-rechargeable batteries. • Do not mix old and new batteries. • Do not mix different types of batteries: alkaline, standard (carbon zinc), or rechargeable batteries. • Only use batteries of the same or equivalent type. • Remove exhausted batteries from the unit. • Do not take batteries apart. • Do not short-circuit the supply terminals. • Do not dispose of batteries in a fire. They may explode. • To prevent corrosion and possible damage to the product, it is recommended to remove the batteries from the microscope if it will not be used for more than two weeks. • Batteries must be installed with correct polarity • Remove rechargeable batteries from the toy before charging • Only charge rechargeable batteries under adult supervision 3. Replace the cover and tighten the screws. Do not over-tighten.
6
MAKING SLIDES
Making a Permanent Slide:
Your samples should be very thin so that light can pass through them. If the sample is too thick, it will appear dark in the microscope. If a sample is too thin or clear, a drop of red or blue dye can make details easier to see. You can find these dyes at a science supplies shop or try making a natural dye by putting a slice of beet root in a blender and using its juice as a dye (just get an adult’s permission first!). Then use the pipette to transfer a drop of the dye to your slide.
1. Start with a clean slide and cover.
Be careful with dyes as they can stain clothing, furniture or carpets! There are thousands of common items around the house and in the yard that make interesting samples to view through your microscope. Scope out cloth fibers, hair, plant or vegetable leaves, grass, paper, onion skin, pollen, dust, salt crystals, and even water! Making a Temporary Slide:
1. W ipe the slide clean with a soft cloth. 2. P repare a thin sample of your specimen. You may have to slice it with a scalpel or a razor blade. Be very careful. Check with an adult before using any sharp tools for slicing specimens. 3. P ick up your sample with the tweezers and put it on the center section of the slide. Add one drop of water. If you need it, now’s the time to add a drop of dye. 4. G ently place a temporary slide cover over the sample, being careful not to allow any air bubbles in. 5. G ently press a paper towel to your slide cover to remove any excess water or dye. 6. Observe your slide!
2. Follow Steps 2 and 3 on the left of this page. 3. Before placing the cover over your sample, add several drops of Gum Media, Canada Balsam, or other commercially– available mounting adhesive or use a piece of transparent tape to permanently hold your specimen down. 4. Place the cover gently over the sample and carefully squeeze out any air bubbles. 5. Place your new slide in a safe place and let it dry for a day.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Wash your hands before and after preparing slides and after every project. Use warm water and soap. Also wash any of your microscope kit equipment that you may have used. Make sure that an adult knows what you are doing and is available to help you.
Reduce, reuse, recycle! You can reuse your slides— just wipe them clean once you’ve viewed your specimen! 7
KEEPING YOU SAFE • Read all instructions before use. Follow them and keep them for future reference. • Keep small children and animals away from any experiments or projects. • When working with samples, keep your hands away from your mouth and eyes. Eye protection is not included. • Always wash your hands carefully after handling any samples and always dispose of any samples in a safe manner.
A SPECIAL REMINDER ABOUT LENSES The most important parts of your microscope are the lenses. Handle them with care. If the lenses are dirty or dusty, you can clean them with a soft cotton cloth or a special lens cleaning tissue. Do not wipe them with a finger or a regular facial tissue. Avoid any direct contact between the viewing lenses and the stage. When changing eyepieces, work carefully, but quickly, to avoid introducing dust into your microscope. Always return the lens cap to the eyepiece when finished.
• Handle the prepared slides carefully. They are made of glass. • Store your microscope set out of reach of small children.
KEEPING YOUR MICROSCOPE SAFE • Always handle the microscope with two hands—one hand around the arm and another around the base. • Always remove and clean the slides from the microscope stage after each use. • Place the microscope in a case or cover it with a plastic bag after each use. • Clean your microscope with a damp or dry cloth—do not immerse or spray liquid or water on the microscope.
8
We constantly improve and update our products. Sometimes, as a result of these improvements, what is seen on the package or in the instructions may differ somewhat in color or content from the product in the package.
FAQS—FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 1. What can I see with my microscope?
You can see thousands of things that are difficult or impossible to see with your eyes, including tiny plants and animals, plant and animal cells, the differences between different plants, different papers, different fibers, and hairs from different people. You can study crystals, rocks, and minerals. The uses for your microscope are practically endless! 2. What is meant by power?
Power is short for “magnifying power,” which is a measure of the seeing ability of your microscope. This microscope has five powers. They are 50X (pronounced “50 times”), 100X, 150X, 300X, and 600X. This means that your microscope can magnify the view of a sample so that it appears 50 times, 100 times, 150 times, 300 times, or 600 times larger than the way you see it with your own eyes.
LET’S HAVE SOME FUN! Now that you understand how your microscope works and how to use the tools included with this set, it’s time to have some fun! The following pages feature some interesting info and fun facts including the history of the microscope, the scoop on plant and animal cells, and eight super-fun experiments you can try today, using your new microscope.
3. I look through my microscope and all I see is darkness. Why?
Your mirror may not be positioned properly to aim light up into your microscope or the sample you are looking at could be too thick for the light to shine through it. Try adjusting the mirror or flipping it over to shine the electric light on your specimen. If you still see darkness, try trimming your specimen to be a little bit thinner. 4. All I can see is a partial circle of light. Why?
To see your sample properly, you need to have even light shining up through the slide. If you are using the mirror for light, try gently moving it about while looking through the microscope until you see an evenly lit full circle. 5. I have a very thin sample on my slide, but I can’t see any detail.
First, make sure that the image is in sharp focus by adjusting the focusing knobs. If the problem still exists, add a drop of red or blue dye to the sample. Dyes make hard-to-see objects like plant cells stand right out. 9
THE HISTORY OF THE MICROSCOPE During the late Middle Ages (around A.D. 1200 to 1450), the growing demand for eyeglasses led to experimentation with lenses and making small things appear larger. As a result, the first microscope was created, probably in Holland in the late 16th century. The Dutch were master magnifiers. The first microscopes were operated with only one lens—then the compound microscope was invented in the 1590s, which used two or more lenses to magnify objects even more. Robert Hooke was one of the most famous people to use a compound microscope. During the 1600s, Hooke observed and recorded the miniscule parts of nature previously unexplored, such as the intricacies of feathers, insects, and even mold. Hooke also introduced the concept of cells—the smallest independently functioning part of an organism. Today, scientists use microscopes to aid in the world of medicine, help build better and stronger materials for everyday use, and even discover hidden mysteries about ancient cultures and environments. Robert Hooke
One of the most powerful scientific instruments is called the scanning electron microscope, or SEM. Instead of magnifying objects using lenses, like this microscope, the SEM focuses a beam of invisible particles called electrons on the object, and collects the electrons as they bounce back. These electrons are then turned into a black-and-white image on a screen. SEMs can magnify some small objects as many as 100,000 times—that’s about 50 times more powerful than the strongest ordinary compound microscope. Scanning electron microscope
10
THE CELL One subject that’s easy to observe with your microscope is a cell. Both plants and animals have cells. Plant cells have structured walls and basically serve as mini-food factories. Photosynthesis, or the conversion of solar sun energy into chemical energy, takes place inside the plant cell. Unlike plant cells, animal cells have a permeable membrane instead of rigid, structured walls. This permeable membrane, through which certain things can pass, encases a number of even smaller, specialized components called organelles. An animal’s body (including yours!) is made up entirely of these cells. They range in size and shape, depending on their function and location. Even the cell’s life span varies from type to type—heart muscles, cartilage cells (the soft tissue connecting your bones at the joints), and most neurons (brain cells) can never divide, regenerate, or be replaced. On the other hand, liver cells are replaced about every 500 days, cells in your stomach lining about every 2 days, and skin cells about every 1 to 34 days.
Check out the prepared plant cell slides. Can you see their rigid walls?
11
PROJECT #1: Cloth Fibers You will need: q microscope q clean, blank slides q scissors to cut small samples q scrap pieces of cloth of different types All types of cloth are made from long, thin strands called fibers. Some, like wool, come from animals. Others, like cotton, come from plants. Still others are made from chemical actions. Nylon and polyester are samples of man-made fibers. Take small samples of various fibers, such as cotton, wool, and polyester. Put one sample at a time between two clean, blank slides like a sandwich. Put the slide sandwich
under your microscope. Can you see the difference between natural and man-made fibers? Look at how tightly the strands are wound. Some are very tight and smooth. Others are loose and spiky. The loose fibers can trap air. This trapped air can help to keep you warm.
Compare a wool fiber with a polyester one. Which one will keep you warmer?
NOTES: Type of cloth fiber
12
Is it man-made or natural?
Are the fibers tightly wound?
Are the fibers loose and spiky?
Will it keep you warm?
PROJECT #2: Animal Fur You will need: q microscope q 2 or more clean, blank slides q samples of different types of fur and hair An animal’s fur is similar to the hair on your head. Like your hair, it protects the skin underneath from cold, heat, and sunburn. Animals have different kinds of fur. Some animals have fine, smooth fur. Others have stiff, bristly fur. Some fur is short, and some fur is long. Long-haired animals can stay warm even when it is very cold. Their fur traps and holds a layer of warm air next to their skin. This is called insulation.
look closely at 600X magnification, you might see small rough lines going around each hair. These are growth lines. If there is a large space between these lines, the hair is fast-growing. A lot of small spaces between lines indicate a slow-growing hair.
Check your paintbrush! Some have squirrel hair or even pig bristles!
Pull out a single hair from your head. (Ouch!) Does it look like any of the animal hairs?
Study samples of fur from cats, dogs, and even your pet hamster. Put several strands of animal hair or fur in between a slide sandwich like you did with the cloth fibers and look at them under your microscope. If you
NOTES: Sample #
Where is it from?
Is the hair smooth?
Would it keep the animal warm?
Can you see growth rings?
#1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6
13
PROJECT #3: Leaves You will need: q microscope q 2 or more clean, blank slides q different types of leaves Plants breathe through their leaves! Most leaves have small holes in their underneath side called stomata. Plants breathe in carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen back out. People do the opposite. We breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide. In this way people and animals help plants and they help us. The scientific name for a relationship like this is a symbiotic relationship. Collect leaves from different tree and plant types. The needles of pine, fir, and spruce trees are also leaves, but they look a little different. If you gather your leaves in the spring and summer, they will be mainly green. In the fall and winter they may be
NOTES: Sample # #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6
What plant is it from?
red or brown or orange— all except the small fir, pine, and spruce needles. They stay green all year round. The trees from which these leaves come are called evergreens. Look closely at your leaf samples at 300X magnification. Look for patterns of lines running through the leaf. These are the veins of the leaf, and they carry nutrients, or energy food, back and forth between the leaf and the main plant. A plant’s leaves are like tiny food factories. Chlorophyll, a green chemical in leaves, traps energy from sunlight. The plant uses this energy, water, and carbon dioxide to make food in a process called photosynthesis.
What color is it?
Can you see the veins?
Can you see the stomata?
Leaves are actually the organs of a plant!
PROJECT #4: Dirt and Sand You will need: q microscope q several clean, blank slides q several slide covers q specimin vials to hold the samples
q samples of dirt and sand from different places q pipette q water
Dirt can have small pieces from rocks in it. It can also have lots of organic material. This is made up of decomposed plant and animal material. Dead leaves and grass get broken down and eaten up by friendly bacteria and small animals like earthworms. Dirt that has lots of organic material in it is called loam, and it is very good for growing flowers and vegetables.
worn down from pieces of coal!
Sand can be made up of small grains of different rock types that have been broken down from bigger pieces. There can also be tiny fragments of shells from long-gone sea creatures. In some places the beach sand is black because the fine particles have been
Collect dirt and sand from around your house and from different beaches. Bring small samples home from a vacation. Use the specimen vials in your microscope kit to hold the samples. Place a very thin layer of each sample on a slide. You will see many small types of particles. Then add one drop of water and place a slide cover over the sample.
Black sand is made of fine particles of coal!
NOTES: What do you see in your samples of dirt and sand? Which samples would make good garden soil? Be sure to wash your hands when you are finished. Material
Sample 1
Sample 2
Sample 3
Sample 4
Rock Samples Shell Particles Small Pieces from Plants Coal Particles Insect Parts
15
PROJECT #5: Paper You will need: q microscope q paper towel q 2 clean, blank slides q pen q writing paper, tissue paper, newspaper q water Paper can be made from many things. Most paper is made from trees. Sometimes the paper maker adds finely chopped cotton rags. Other types of paper are made from paper that has been used before. Paper can be thick or thin. It can be smooth or rough. It can be very strong or very weak. Paper is used to write on, to make packages with, to clean up spills, to blow your nose on, and even to make clothes with. Paper to write on is smooth, while paper tissues are soft. Paper towels are thick, while
newspaper paper (called newsprint) is thin. Get different types of paper and compare them. Try to write on them. Try to clean up a few drops of spilled water with each type. Then place small pieces of the different paper samples between two slides and look at them through your microscope.
NOTES: Writing Paper
Newsprint
Paper Towel
Facial Tissues
Can you write on it with a pencil?
Y/N
Y/N
Y/N
Y/N
Can you write on it with a pen?
Y/N
Y/N
Y/N
Y/N
How well does it pick up spilled water? How strong is it? How smooth is it?
Through your microscope you should have noticed that tissues and paper towels have soft, fuzzy fibers that have big air spaces between them. These air spaces can also hold water, which is why these two samples did well picking up the water spill. The writing paper did not have these air spaces and did not pick up water very well. The newsprint did not work well either because its fibers are also closely packed.
PROJECT #6: Pond Water You will need: q microscope q a pail or bucket q an empty jar
q pipette q clean, blank slides q slide covers
Get a sample of water from a pond in a wooded area. It is best to get a sample in the late spring or summer. Dip your pail or bucket in the pond to fill it. Let it stand still for about a half-hour. Then dip your jar to the bottom of the pail and try to get some of the sludge that has settled to the bottom. Use your pipette to place a drop on a blank slide and place a slide cover over it. To do this, stand the slide cover on end next to the drop. Gently let it fall onto the drop. Push it lightly with a toothpick, but not hard enough to squash any little animals. If water has squeezed out around the edges, you can touch a tissue to it to clean
it up. Look through your microscope. Start at 100X and work upward. What are all of the small things you see? Are some of them alive? You will see small bits of dirt and vegetation. If you are lucky, you may see small creatures moving around. Some of these are tiny baby insect larvae. Others are very tiny animals that live in the water and feed on the vegetation and on the insect eggs and larvae. Make careful notes and drawings of what you see.
Cut a bristle off of an old toothbrush and a new one. Can you see why you need to replace them every so often?
THINGS I SAW IN POND WATER:
17
PROJECT #7: Friendly Bacteria You will need: q microscope q slide covers q pipette q water
q clean, blank slides q paper towel q yogurt (must say “active cultures” on the label) q petri dish
Bacteria are very small life forms that you can only see through a microscope. Some bacteria make us feel sick. Some bacteria are friendly.
your pipette, place a drop or two of your sample on a slide and cover it with a slide cover. Look for more bacteria.
Put a drop of natural yogurt on a slide. Mix it with a drop of water and put a slide cover over it. The sample should be spread very thinly. Look through your microscope. Scan the area carefully at 300X and 600X. Try to look at the thinnest areas. You should see small round objects. These are the friendly bacteria.
You will probably see more bacteria. They were in the air and landed on the yogurt. There may be different shapes than you saw the day before. Draw pictures of what you saw in the boxes provided below.
Place several drops of yogurt in a petri dish or sample vial. Mix it with several drops of warm water. Do not cover your sample. Place it somewhere relatively warm and out of reach. Wait for one day. Using
NOTES:
18
Friendly Bacteria
Wash your hands thoroughly. Place the slide cover in the garbage. Wash the slide in hot, soapy water with several spoonfuls of liquid bleach added. Ask your parents to help you because bleach can hurt you, and the bottle is heavy. Wash your hands again.
Other Bacteria
PROJECT #8: Crystals You will need: q microscope q string q table salt q very warm water (enough to almost fill a glass)
q 2 clean, blank slides q a drinking glass q sugar q a spoon (to measure and stir with)
Take a piece of string about 3 inches (7.6 cm) long and tie it around the center of an old pencil. Now take a small drinking glass and almost fill it with hot water from the tap. Be careful not to burn yourself. Stir in a spoonful of salt until it is well mixed and has all dissolved. Now add another spoonful and stir it well. If all of the salt dissolves in the water, try to mix in a third spoonful.
Leave it another day and examine the string again.
Now place the pencil across the top of the glass so that the string is hanging in the salt water. Place the glass somewhere safe where small children cannot reach it. Do not move the glass around. Let it sit undisturbed for a day and then examine the string.
Look at some of the crystals you have grown under your microscope. Sometimes the little cubes will join together in strange or beautiful shapes.
NOTES:
Salt Crystals
Did you know? There are 12 different kinds of salt!
You will see small white cubes growing on the string. These are salt crystals. This crystal structure is salt’s basic shape. Try the same experiment with a strong solution of sugar. Sugar also has a crystal shape. Is it the same as a salt crystal? Can you tell them apart?
Sugar Crystals
19
• 360 MM REFRACTOR TELESCOPE • ALUMINUM OPTICAL TUBE AND COMPACT ALUMINUM TRIPOD • ALL-GLASS EYEPIECES • LIGHTWEIGHT AND PORTABLE
THE ORE HE EXPL OF T S R E Y! ND D SK WO N A TH EAR
VEGA360 TELESCOPE
WELCOME TO THE AMAZING TELESCOPIC WORLD! Get ready to get up-close and personal with some truly amazing distant objects! Your Vega 360 is a refractor telescope, the first type of telescope invented. A refractor telescope collects light through a large objective lens and directs it through the telescope to the eyepiece for magnification. Using your telescope, you’ll be able to see lots of interesting objects in the night sky as well as incredible things here on Earth, from animals and landscapes to close-up views of sporting events and more. Below are the main elements of a refractor telescope:
A. Optical tube with rack-and-pinion focuser B. Tripod with altazimuth mount C. Diagonal mirror D. 20mm eyepiece E. 8mm eyepiece F. 1.5x erecting eyepiece (image erector)
2
GET TO KNOW YOUR TELESCOPE:
3. Optical tube
What does each part do? 1. Eyepiece 2. Focuser 3. Optical tube 4. Objective lens 5. Dust cap 6. Dew shield (attached) 7. Altazimuth lock knob 8. Altitude lock knob 9. Tripod 10. Diagonal mirror
1. Eyepiece
Brings the image from the telescope’s objective lens to your eye. Your telescope comes with a low power eyepiece and a high power one, too.
Houses and protects the telescope’s main, or objective, lens.
4. Objective lens
(inside)
Gathers light from a distant object and brings that light, or image, to a point or focus.
2. Focuser
The knob you’ll turn to make the images come into focus.
5. Dust cap
Protects the objective lens from scratches and dirt.
6. Dew shield
10. Diagonal mirror
Orients the image from your telescope so that it is right-side up. It also makes it more comfortable to look at stars high in the sky without bending down low.
8. Altitude lock knob
Holds the optical tube and allows you to adjust the view up and down (altitude).
(attached)
Prevents dew from forming on the lens at night and acts as a sunshade to reduce reflections during the day.
7. Altazimuth lock knob Allows you to adjust the view side-to-side (azimuth).
9. Tripod
Supports the telescope and mount.
3
SETTING UP YOUR TELESCOPE
5
1. Dust cap
3
2. Objective lens (inside)
2
3. Dew shield (attached)
4
4. Optical tube 5. Eyepiece
6
6. Diagonal mirror 7. Focuser/Focus knob
1
7
8. Altitude lock knob
8
9. Tripod 10. Azimuth lock knob
10
9
4
Use the diagram on page 4 and the directions below to assemble your telescope. 1. G ently pull the tripod legs ( 9 ) as far apart as they will go. Press down on the center of the tripod supports until they lock flat into place in a horizontal position. (See Figure 1.) 2. Unscrew nut from altitude lock knob ( 8 ) and remove. 3. P lace the optical tube ( 4 ) over the mount and lower it so that the plastic “tongue” on the mount slips into the bracket underneath the tube. (See Figure 2.) Line up the holes on the prongs with the holes in the tongue.
Figure 1
4. O ne of the prongs in the bracket has a hexagonal-shaped cutout around its opening. Place the nut from the altitude lock knob ( 8 ) in this cutout and hold it in place. Insert the bolt from the altitude lock knob through the bracket and tongue as shown. (See Figure 2.) Turn the altitude lock knob clockwise to screw it into place, while pressing firmly on nut. 5. T ighten the altitude lock knob just enough so that you can move the optical tube up or down and it will stay pointed at the angle you want. (You should be able to aim the tube almost vertically. If not, reverse its position in the mount. (See Figure 2.) Figure 2
5
6. F ind the azimuth lock knob (10 ) and tighten it, if necessary, by turning it clockwise. When it’s fully tightened, this knob will lock your telescope’s horizontal movement. 7. I f the diagonal mirror has not come already inserted into the focuser, remove the protective plastic cap over the telescope’s focuser ( 7 ) by loosening the two small screws. Remove the black plastic cap from the diagonal mirror ( 6 ) and insert the mirror into the focusing tube. Secure the mirror in place by tightening the two small screws. (See Figure 3.) Figure 3
8. L oosen the protective plastic cap from the diagonal mirror by loosening the single screw. Locate the 20mm eyepiece, insert it into the diagonal mirror, and tighten the screw (See Figure 4). Note: When looking through the diagonal mirror, objects will appear right side up, but reversed, like a reflection in a mirror. This is normal for all astronomical telescopes. Your telescope is supplied with an erecting eyepiece, which properly orients images for terrestrial viewing. See page 8 for directions for using your erecting eyepiece.
6
Figure 4
Remember to remove the dust cap before trying to view any object.
USING YOUR SCOPE 1. F or best results, use your telescope outside. Pointing it through a window will cause distortions. 2. L et your telescope adjust to the outside temperature. It will perform much better if the lenses and the air inside the tube are all the same temperature as the outside air. In extreme temperatures, it may take up to 30 minutes to acclimate your telescope. 3. Y our Vega 360 comes with two eyepieces – a 20mm eyepiece and a 8mm eyepiece – for a range of viewing powers, or magnifications. Eyepieces are measured and labeled in “mm” (millimeters). The low power eyepiece is the one with the higher number in mm (20mm). The high power eyepiece is the one with the lower number in mm (8mm). Always begin viewing with your lower power (20mm) eyepiece. This will give you the widest angle, making it easiest to find the object you want to see, and will give you the brightest, sharpest views. Once you’ve found your object, you can switch to the high power (8mm) eyepiece for more detail. 4. F ind something cool to scope? Loosen the altitude and azimuth lock knobs and point the telescope toward the object you want to see. Look through the eyepiece and pan the telescope until the object appears centered in the telescope’s field of view (the portion of the sky that you can view through a telescope). Once the object is in your field of view, tighten the altitude and azimuth knobs. 5. N ow, look through the eyepiece, and turn the focus knob until the image is clear and sharp. That’s it! You did it!
CAUTION: Never look directly at the sun, with or without your telescope. Never aim your telescope at the sun, or anywhere near the sun. Instant and irreversible eye damage can occur, including blindness.
!
7
SCOPING OUT OBJECTS ON LAND Bird’s nests are perfect for viewing through your scope. Hit the park and check the trees in springtime!
To view terrestrial (land) subjects, you’ll want to use the erecting eyepiece, or image erector. This special component orients objects so they’re right side up, the way you see them with your naked eye. To use the image erector: 1. R emove the diagonal mirror and eyepiece from the focusing tube. 2. L oosen the small screws in the focusing tube. Insert the image erector directly into the focusing tube. Tighten the screw to keep it in place. (See Figure 5.)
Figure 5
3. L oosen the small screw in the image erector and insert your chosen eyepiece into it. Tighten the screw to keep this eyepiece in place. (See Figure 5.) The image erector provides a 1.5x magnification, which means that the 8mm eyepiece will magnify objects 67.5x. 8
SCOPING OUT THE NIGHTTIME SKY Exploring the night sky with a telescope is exciting—but it can also be challenging! Learning to use a telescope takes practice and patience. Here are some tips to better viewing: 1. I t’s a lot easier to find objects when you understand how the sky is laid out. Check out one of the websites on page 15 or browse a book on astronomy to find interesting celestial sights. 2. N o matter how much light surrounds you, more is always worse. Turn off any lights and allow 15 minutes or more for your eyes to adapt to the darkness. 3. C ool your telescope to the outside temperature for about 30 minutes before observing. Cooling the telescope reduces air currents inside the tube that could produce fuzzy, blurry images. 4. P lanetary viewing requires good “seeing” conditions— steady, dry atmosphere with little or no clouds. A good way to judge seeing conditions is to check the stars. If the stars appear to be twinkling, a phenomenon caused by a turbulent atmosphere, then conditions are not great for planet gazing and you might want to try another night. 5. U sing slow, steady hand movements makes it easier to get a steady view.
Steady, non-twinkling stars mean the atmosphere is calm and just right for nighttime scoping! 9
KEEPING YOU SAFE Never look directly at the sun, with or without your telescope. Never aim your telescope at the sun or anywhere near the sun. Instant and irreversible eye
KEEPING YOUR TELESCOPE SAFE Storage
Your Vega 360’s compact, easy-to-assemble design makes storing it in its box simple. If you wish to store your Vega 360 fully assembled, cover it with heavy plastic to protect it from moisture, making sure that the dust cap and lens covers are on. Accessories should be stored separately in a box, with all their dust caps on.
10
A WORD ABOUT OPTICS Optical components of a telescope will get dirty over time, but you probably won’t notice it until there’s quite a bit of dust or dirt on the optical surfaces of your telescope. To keep your optics in good condition: 1. Keep the dust cap on during storage. 2. A fter using the telescope, there may be condensation on the optical surfaces. When the telescope is brought inside, remove the dust cap and allow the moisture to evaporate naturally, pointing the optical tube downwards to minimize the collection of airborne dust. Once the moisture has evaporated, replace the dust cap. 3. A small amount of dust on optical surfaces is okay. A build-up of dirt or dust on a lens can be removed by using a can of filtered compressed air. Remove the dust cap and the dew shield. Once you are able to freely blow across the surface of the optics, begin by first pointing the can away from the piece and gently expel some air. This will remove any condensation in the air can lines and clear off dust that may have accumulated on the discharge tube. Next, using short quick bursts of air, carefully remove the dust particles. Do not hold the trigger of the compressed air for too long as condensate might be blown out across the optical surface.
LET’S HAVE SOME FUN! Your telescope can bring you the moon and stars—and some planets, too!
Planets
You’ve probably seen some planets without even realizing it! Planets look like tiny balls, as opposed to stars, which are infinitely small points of light. The easiest planets to view, when they’re visible, are the five “naked-eye” planets: Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Venus, and Mercury. Each of the planets has its own set of unique characteristics, making them a wonder to behold. But viewing the planets presents some challenges, because their positions in the sky are always changing! Luckily, we’ve given you some great resources. To find out where to find specific planets at specific times, check out our list of websites on page 15. Stars
The stars are so far away that when you look at one with your telescope, you won’t see a disk like you see when you look at a planet. Even with a large, powerful telescope, a star looks like a point of light. Some stars look larger than others, but what you are actually seeing is brighter points of light compared to dimmer points of light. The brighter stars aren’t necessarily larger, they just look that way to us.
You could fit 1,000 Earths into Jupiter! 11
The Moon The silvery moon is the best subject to view with your telescope. As Earth’s nearest neighbor, it’s about a quarter million miles (402,000 km) away. That may sound like a long distance, but it’s close enough that your telescope will reveal a fascinating lunar landscape of craters, plains, and mountain peaks.
N
Here are a few interesting lunar features to look for:
E
W
MARE CRISIUM Mare Crisium (“Sea of Crises”) is actually a huge plain formed when great lava flows cooled and hardened on the moon’s surface.
S 12
CRATER COPERNICUS
Crater Copernicus is a bright crater with a huge encircling ring of debris that was thrown out of the crater when it was formed by an impacting meteor more than 100 million years ago. It is 60 miles (97 km) across and more than 2 miles (12,600 feet, or 3,840 m) deep.
CRATER GRIMALDI
This large crater looks elliptical in shape, but it is actually circular. It appears to be elliptical because we see it on the western horizon of the moon, which is curving away from us. This effect is called foreshortening. Crater Grimaldi is about 140 miles (225 km) across and 10,500 feet (3,200 m) deep.
CRATER TYCHO
Bright streaks or rays, best seen during a full moon, emanate from this crater. The rays indicate that this is a young crater. Over time, meteors constantly bombarding the crater’s surface will cause the rays to disappear. Crater Tycho is 56 miles (90 km) across and almost 14,000 feet (4,267 m) deep.
The moon’s got nothing on our mountains! Mons Huygens is the moon’s tallest mountain, but it’s only half as tall as Mount Everest!
Note: This map, like your telescope, shows a mirror image of the moon. © Copyright 1982 The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada
13
FAQS – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 1. W hy is the image in my telescope eyepiece upside down and/or backwards? If you have inserted your eyepiece directly into the telescope’s focusing tube, you will see an image that is upside-down and backwards. If you have inserted the diagonal mirror into the focusing tube and then placed the eyepiece into the diagonal mirror, your image will be right-side up, but it will still appear backwards or reversed. This is normal for an astronomical telescope. After all, there’s no up or down in space so it doesn’t matter how the field is oriented. For terrestrial viewing, when you want images to be oriented properly (as seen with the naked eye), insert the erecting eyepiece according to the directions on page 8 of this guide. 2. W hy can’t I see anything when I look through my telescope? If you see only white, gray, or black through the telescope you probably have inserted an eyepiece that is too powerful. To solve this problem, switch to the low power eyepiece. As a rule, always start with the lowest power eyepiece, gradually switching to higher power eyepieces only after you have located an object and don’t forget to 14 remove the dust cap.
3. W hen I use my high power eyepiece, why does everything look darker? As telescope magnification increases, brightness diminishes. Brightness increases when magnification is reduced. If an image appears dark or unclear, try using your low power eyepiece. It is easier to study small, bright views of celestial objects than large, dark, or blurry ones. You do not need very high powers to study most celestial objects. 4. W hy do objects in the sky move out of view when I look through my telescope? When you view a celestial object through a telescope, the rotation of the Earth makes it appear as though objects are moving across the viewing area. You can lessen this effect and observe the largest area of the sky by using your low power lens.
LEARN MORE ABOUT ASTRONOMY
Notes:
Check out these websites to learn more about astronomy and the objects you’ll find in the night sky: •h ttp://www.nasa.gov NASA’s official web site. • http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forkids/home/ index.html NASA’s link with information for students •h ttp://www.nasm.si.edu The website of the National Air and Space Museum at the Smithsonian Institute •h ttp://www.space.com Astronomy website with interesting links, including a sky calendar listing what’s visible in the sky each night • http://skyandtelescope.com Astronomy website with useful information, including a customizable sky chart where you can type in your zip code for a map of the night sky
15
Notes:
