If you are new to using your type of scope, take it out for test run to get used to how it shows you things. I had my Orion ST80 refractor scope out the other day to realign the finder. While doing that, I took a bit of time to review how things looked in the eyepiece.
The best way to do this is to find something that is
- Easy to keep track of
- Distinctive in shape and that you know how is should like with normal vision.
For my test, I used the stop sign at the end of the block. It was easy to track, and I have a pretty good idea of what it should look like.
With the refractor, if you just use the eyepiece, the object in the eyepiece will be upside down. Most refractors, mine included, use a diagonal between the scope and the focuser. This is to make the viewing angle more comfortable. It also partially corrects the image. Up is once again up, but left and right are reversed. So when I looked at the stop sign, the S was now on the right end of the word, and mirror reversed.
Another good object for getting oriented on the view from your scope is the moon. The best times are between new moon and 1st quarter in the evening, and between 3rd quarter and new moon if you view in the morning. The reason is that at these times, the moon has a distinctive shape so you can make an easy comparison between the naked eye view and the view through your scope.
Practice this until you become used to how things are oriented in your scope. This will make it easier to find objects when you start to star hop.
