PEU

327 ASTRONOMY LABORATORY

TELESCOPE OPTICS: OBSERVING THE MOON

OBJECTIVES

Learn how to setup and utilize a computerized telescope in astronomical observations.

Learn how to calculate the telescope magnification and true field of view.
Use the combination of a telescope with a CCD camera to obtain astronomical images with known
characteristics (magnification and field of view).
Estimate the angular size of the Moon with the naked eye, through a telescope, and using a CCD
camera with the telescope.
1
Determine the radius of the moon and that of two of its prominent surface features (such as the
Copernicus, Kepler, Al-Khwarizmi, Alhazen, Avicenna, Aristoteles, and Plato craters)
2

TELESCOPE OPTICAL SYSTEM

The most basic astronomical instrument is the

1
telescope. A telescope collects light from and
magnifies an astronomical object. The telescope
2
was invented in 1609 and in 1610 Galileo made his
own and with it he made remarkable discoveries 12
that revolutionized astronomy, including the
discovery of the moons of Jupiter, phases of Venus,
12
sunspots and suns rotation, and craters
11 and
th
mountains on the moon. Until the end of the 19
century, all observational work in astronomy was
11
4
based on observations made at the eyepiece of a
5
telescope (before the advent of photographic
plates and CCD sensors).
5

6
6
10
Telescope generally come in three types. The
10
refractor telescope that uses two converging
lenses, the Newtonian or a reflector telescope that
9
uses a spherical concave mirror and a flat mirror, 9
7
and the Schmidt-Cassegrain that uses a
7
combination of a primary concave mirror,
correcting plate, and secondary convex mirror.
8

In this laboratory we will be using a Schmidt-
8
Cassegrain telescope with the following
1
Optical Tube
7
Tripod
specifications:
2
Star Pointer Finderscope
8
Accessory Tray / Leg Brace
Aperture = 8 inches (200mm)
Fig. 1: Celestron
NexStar 8 SE Schmidt-Cassegrain
telescope
3
Eyepiece
9
Tilt Wedge Plate
4
Star Diagonal
10
ON/OFF Switch
Focal Length = 80 inches (2032mm)
5
Focuser Knob
Hand Control
1
Optical Tube
7 11 Tripod
F/ratio of the Optical System = 10
6
Battery Compartment
12
Liquid Crystal Display
2
Star Pointer Finderscope
8
Accessory Tray / Leg Brace
Primary Mirror: Diameter = 100mm
3
Eyepiece
Wedge Plate
NexStar 89SETilt
Shown
4
Star Diagonal
10
ON/OFF Switch
Secondary Mirror Spot Size = 2.5"
5
Focuser Knob
11
Hand Control
Lowest - Highest Useful Magnification = 5
6
Battery Compartment
12
Liquid Crystal Display
29x - 480x
Resolution = .68 arc seconds

NexStar 8 SE Shown
Light Gathering Power = 843x unaided eye
5

Schmidt-Cass for short) uses a combination of mirrors and lenses and is referred to as a compound or catad
design offers large-diameter optics while maintaining very short tube lengths, making them extremely port
system consists of a zero power corrector plate, a spherical primary mirror, and a secondary mirror. On
system, they travel the length of the optical tube three times.

Figure 3-1
A cutaway view of the light path of the Schmidt-Cassegrain optical design

Fig. 2: Ray diagram of the Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope without

(top left) and with (top right) the star diagonal prism (bottom right)
The optics of the NexStar have Starbright
that utilizes total internal reflection

XLT coatings - enhanced multi-layer coatings on the prima

increased reflectivity and a fully coated corrector for the finest anti-reflection characteristics.

the optical tube,

Here we define the main characteristics of tInside
he telescope
a black tube extends out from the center hole in the primary mirror.

This is the prim

stray light from passing through to the eyepiece or camera.

= I m

age

Magnification

Orientation

The image orientation changes depending on how the eyepiece is inserted into the telescope. When using the
right-side-up,
from left-to-right (i.e., reverted). If inserting the eyepiece directly into the visual
where F is the telescope focal length
and f but
is reversed
the eyepiece
diagonal), the image is upside-down and reversed from left-to-right (i.e., inverted). This is normal for the Sc
focal length.

Field of View (often called True Field of View TFOV) = AFOV / Magnification = AFOV x f/F

or

*
+

= =

,*-.
/*-.

where AFOV is the apparent field of view of the eyepiece in degrees (remember that from the horizon
Actual image orientation as seen
Inverted image,
Reversed from left to right, as
to the zenith is 90 degrees).
with the unaided eye

eyepiece dire

viewed with a Star Diagonal

Focal Ratio:

/ =

Figure 3-2

25 the lower the
The focal ratio represents the speed of a telescopes optics. The smaller the f/number,
magnification, the wider the field. The larger the f/number the higher the magnification and the
smaller the field of view. Fast f/4 to f/5 focal ratios are generally best for lower power wide field
observing and deep space photography. Slow f/11 to f/15 focal ratios are usually better suited to
higher power lunar, planetary, and binary star observing and high power photography. Medium f/6 to
f/10 focal ratios work well with either.

A Barlow lens (named after Peter Barlow) is a
diverging lens that can be attached to the telescope
before the eyepiece to increase the magnification
by the indicated factor on the lens (2x, 3x, or
generally nx). This will increase the effective focal
length of the telescope to become F=2F, 3F, or nF.
The magnification with a Barlow lens is therefore

Where n is the magnification factor of the Barlow lens.

Fig. 3: Ray diagram illustrating the effect of a Barlow lens

A Barlow lens increases the focal length of a telescope without increasing the ph

The Astronomical Unit - Tutorials - How a Barlow lens Works

2/21/16, 5:42 PM

Figure 3-1
A cutaway view of the light path of the Schmidt-Cassegrain optical design

The optics of the NexStar have Starbright XLT coatings - enhanced multi-layer coatings on the primary and secondary mirrors for
increased reflectivity and a fully coated corrector for the finest anti-reflection characteristics.

Inside the optical tube, a black tube extends out from the center hole in the primary mirror. This is the primary baffle tube and it prevents
Fig.
: Utilization
of a Barlow lens with the telescope
stray light from passing through to
the4eyepiece
or camera.

Barlow Amplification
co
hanges
depending
on how the eyepiece is inserted into the telescope. When using the
ImThe
agimage
e OTherorientation
iamplification
entatifactor
n of a Barlow
is a function of its position in relation to the eyepiece and the objective lens (or

star diagonal,
image
right-side-up,
but reversed
from left-to-right
reverted). If inserting the
primary the
mirror).
For anyis
given
eyepiece and objective,
the Barlow-eyepiece
separation and (i.e.,
the Barlow-objective
The image
orientation
depending
how
theofeyepiece
is inserted
into the
When
using
the star diagonal, the image is
eyepiece directly into the visual back (i.e., without the star diagonal), the image is upside-down and reversed
separation
arechanges
related because
the on
focal
plane
the eyepiece
is the same
as telescope.
the focal plane
of the
objective-Barlow
right-side-up,
but reversed
from
left-to-right
(i.e.,
reverted).
If inserting
the eyepiece directly into the
visual back (i.e., without the star
combination;
as the
separation T
between
the
eyepiece
and
the
Barlow increases, the separation
of the Barlow and
from
l
eft-to-right
(
i.e.,
i
nverted).
his
i
s
n
ormal
f
or
t
he
S
chmidt-Cassegrain
d
esign.
diagonal), the image is upside-down and reversed from left-to-right (i.e., inverted). This is normal for the Schmidt-Cassegrain design.
objective decreases.

The amplification factor of a Barlow can be increased by increasing its separation from the eyepiece using an extension
tube it must simultaneously be brought closer to the objective.
One thing that you need to watch for with Barlows used outside their design amplification factor is spherical aberration.
SA will be minimised at the design factor, but will almost certainly be present outside this, although it may not be
discernible. (But visually, using the old trick of shifting the Barlow to the "other" side of the star diagonal or of using
extension tubes, this may be compensated by reduced SA in the eyepiece, as a consequence of a more acute light
cone.)

Actual image orientation as seen

with the unaided eye

Reversed from left to right, as

viewed with a Star Diagonal

Inverted image, as viewed with the

eyepiece directly in telescope

Eyepiece Choice
Figure 3-2
If you use a Barlow with fixed-focus eyepieces, you need to give some thought to a suitable choice. If, for example, you

Fig. 5: have
The aox2rientation
of an actual image (left) as viewed from
the
Barlow and a 25mm eyepiece, there is little point in acquiring
a 12.5mm; it will mimic the 25mm + Barlow. A
25
telescope
eyepiece
with
(middle)
and
without a star diagonal right
suitable
choice might
be 32mm,
18mm,
12mm.
Stop here unless you fancy some basic high school physics & maths.

CCD CAMERA

We will bBarlow
e using a Nikon
D750 DSLR CCD camera with the telescope to
Maths
record the observations digitally by replacing the eyepiece by the camera
so the image
is formed on Barlow
the CCD chip
directly. The camera has the
Calculating
magnification:
following specifications:

Sensor type = CMOS
http://astunit.com/astunit_tutorial.php?topic=barlow
Sensor
size = 35.9mm x 24.0mm (width x height)
Sensor diagonal = 43.18 mm (1.7 inch)
Sensor surface area = 861.6 mm2
Sensor resolution = 6038 x 4025 pixels = 24302950 = 24.30 Megapixels (MP)
Maximum resolution = 6016 x 4016 pixels
Minimum resolution = 1968 x 1112 pixels
Aspect Ratio = 3:2



Pixel area = 35.4 m2
Total megapixels = 24.92 million
Pixel density = 2.83 MP/cm2
Effective megapixels = 24.30 million

Pixel pitch = 5.95 m
ISO: 100-12800 (expands to 50-51200)
Crop factor = 1

Min. - Max. Shutter Speed = 1/4000 30 s

Page 2 of 4

problem.
The lower the f -ratio, the more severe this problem becomes. An f /10
paraboloid is nearly flat and still looks nearly paraboloidal when approached
from a degree or two off axis. An f /4 paraboloid is deeply curved and suffers
appreciable coma in that situation. For that reason, fast telescopes, although
designed for wide-field viewing, often arent very sharp at the edges of the field.
Complex mirror and lens systems can reduce aberrations but never eliminate them completely. Any optical design is a compromise between tolerable
Figure
star clusters
M35 and NGCsee
2158Astrophotography
(smaller), imaged at
prime
focus of
a
errors.5.9.
ForThe
more
about aberrations,
forthe
the
Amateur
(1999),
14-cm
(5.5-inch)
f
/7
TEC
apochromatic
refractor.
Stack
of
three
5-minute
exposures
at
ISO
pp. 7173.
800 with a filter-modified Nikon D50 through a Baader UV/IR-blocking filter, using a
Incidentally, f /1 is not a physical limit. Canon once made a 50-mm f /0.95
Losmandy equatorial mount and an autoguider on a separate guidescope. (William J.
lens. Radio astronomers use dish antennas that are typically f /0.3.
Shaheen.)

5.3.4 Moon
Field of view

0.5

Observer

Fig. 6: The Nikon DAstronomers

750 and its CCD
sensor
(top) and
its CCD sinensor
comparison
(bottom)
measure
apparent
distances
the sky
in degreeschart
(Figure
5.10); a
degree is divided into 60 arc-minutes (60 ), and an arc-minute is divided into 60

The sensor field of view is garc-seconds

iven by (60 ).
The exact formula for field of view is:
1

Sensor width (or height, etc.)

Field
of The
view
= 2 tan
Figure
5.10.
apparent
size of objects in the sky is measured as an angle. (From
2 Focal length

Astrophotography for the Amateur.)
58
For focal lengths much longer than the sensor size, such as telescopes, a much simpler formula gives almost
For focal lengths much longer than the sensor size, such as telescopes, a much
exactly the same result simpler formula gives almost exactly the same result:

Field of view = 57.3

Sensor width (or height, etc.)

Focal length

5.11 shows the field of view of a Canon or Nikon APS-C sensor (Digital
When using the CCD camera Figure
with the
telescope the magnification becomes
Rebel family, Nikon D70 family, and the like) with various focal lengths, superimposed on an image of the Pleiades
star cluster. For the same concept applied to

=
telephoto lenses, see p. 71, and for more about field of view, see Astrophotography

for the Amateur (1999), pp. 7375.

If using Barlow lens

59

In our case, the minimum magnification (with no Barlow lens) is M = 47.1 (with F = 2032 mm and sensor
diagonal size = 43.18 mm)

ANGULAR SIZE IN ASTRONOMY

Astronomers use angular measure
to describe the apparent size of an
object in the night sky. An angle is
the opening between two lines
that meet at a point and angular
measure describes the size of an
angle in degrees, designated by
the symbol . A full circle is divided
into 360 and a right angle
measures 90. One degree can be
divided into 60 arcminutes
(abbreviated 60 arcmin or 60'). An
arcminute can also be divided into
60 arcseconds (abbreviated 60
arcsec or 60").

Fig. 7: Angular measurement (top) and the angular size of an object (bottom)

The angular size of an object () can be expressed in terms of its linear size (D) and distance from the
observer (d) as follows.

= ( )

=
= 57.3 ( )
360 2

= 3,437.7 ( )

= 206,265 ( )

If you extend your hand to arm's length, you can use your fingers to estimate angular distances and sizes in
the sky. Your index finger is about 1 and the distance across your palm is about 10.

Fig. 8: Estimating the angular size with the human hand


The angle covered by the diameter of the full moon is about 31 arcmin or 1/2, so astronomers would say the
Moon's angular diameter is 31 arcmin, or the Moon subtends an angle of 31 arcmin.

Fig. 9: The angular size of the sky (180) and the moon (0.52)

PROCEDURE
1. Follow the setup instructions in the manual to setup the telescope to observe the moon.
2. View the moon with the following eyepieces and calculate the magnification (M) and true
field of view (TFOV) in each case.
a. Celestron X-Cel with f = 25 mm and AFOV = 52
b. Orion Sirius Plossl with f = 40 mm and AFOV = 43
3. Estimate the angular size of the moon in the following cases:
a. With your hand
b. Through the telescope with the two eyepieces above.
c. With the CCD camera and the telescope:
i. Use a moon/neutral density filter when observing a full moon to reduce glare
and enhance contrast.
ii. Use shutter speed in the 1/3000 1/4000 range and check each image you
take to ensure that it is not under of over exposed.
iii. Obtain the field of view of the CCD sensor from the equations on page 4 above
or one of the tools at the links below.
Link 1: http://www.scantips.com/lights/fieldofview.html
If you enter in the Subject Distance the distance to the moon in km
(from Stellarium on the date and time of the observation), you get the
field of view in km in addition to degrees.
Link 2: http://www.astro.shoregalaxy.com/dslr_calc.htm
Use 6016 for DSLR Max.Resolution- Width (pixels)
iv. You can then calculate the portion occupied by the moon.

4. Use the 2x, 3x, and 5x Barlow lenses to obtain magnified and zoomed-in images of regions of
interest of the moon. You will need a slower shutter speed with the increased magnification.
5. Calculate the radius of the moon using the CCD image and the scale you have set from the
CCD field of view. Use Stellarium to get the distance to the moon at the time of the
observation.

6. Determine the radius of two of the prominent lunar surface features such as the Copernicus,
Kepler, Al-Khwarizmi, Alhazen, Avicenna, Aristoteles, and Plato craters. Use the lunar atlas at
the link below to identify the crater.
http://www.visit-the-moon.com/lunar-atlas
7. Calculate the percentage error in 3 (b), 3 (c), 5, and 6.

QUESTIONS
Answer the following questions as part of your lab report.
1. From the specifications of the Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope given above and in the telescope
manual, show how the 2032 mm focal length of the telescope is arrived at.
2. Provide a scientific reasoning to the image orientations shown in Fig. 5.
Bonus
3. It is argued that a full moon close to the horizon is considerably bigger in angular size (see
photo below) than when it is high in the sky. Can the angular size of the moon change? Make
an argument to confirm or refute this.

Fig. 10: The full moon looking massive as it sets behind the Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile (left) and the
Lick Observatory in California (right)