First Contact

First Contact: taking your first observations with the telescope

New to the Bradford Robotic Telescope or just having problems taking those first images?

Getting started with a Telescope can be a daunting task, there's so much to look at in space. Setting exposure times and choosing the correct telescope and filters can be a little overwhelming for a beginner.

To help you get started we've set up some interesting observations for you to take with the telescope.

Click on the preview thumbnail of the object you are interested in
You might be asked to sign into the site at this point. If you have not already got a username and password click here to get one.
You will then be taken to a job order form with all the required fields completed.
Take your time and have a look at all the different sections of the form. Keep the values and setting in mind as a guide when taking similar observations in the future.
To order your image all you have to do is press the submit button at the bottom of the form.

You should get your image back in a few days, if the weather is good and the object is visible in the night sky at this time of year. When you get your image back use the java applet to bring out unexpected details.

Please note thumbnails are only a fraction of your final observations size.

Our Solar System
Planet name	Constellation Camera	Cluster camera	Galaxy Camera	Description
The Moon				Galaxy Camera images show detail of the many craters and maria on the Moon's surface Cluster images show the entire moon, making it possible to monitor its phase.
Jupiter				The largest planet in the solar system. In a good galaxy camera image its possible to see the bands of cloud on the surface of the planet. You can also look for the four Galilean moons.
Saturn				Saturn's rings are clearly visible in a galaxy camera image. You can also find some of Saturn's larger moons lower down in the image. Easiest to find is Titian, which is as large as some planets.
The Zodiacal Constellations Previews have not been supplied due to the nature of constellation images. With up to a thousands stars in a single image it's not possible to effectively reduce them in size.
Names	Constellation Camera	Cluster camera	Galaxy Camera	Description
Aries				Zodiacal constellations, gain their significance from the apparent motion of the Sun through the constellation.
Taurus
Gemini
Cancer
Leo
Virgo
Libra
Scorpius
Sagittarius
Capricornus
Aquarius
Pisces
Clusters and Nebulae
Name	Constellation Camera	Cluster Camera	Galaxy camera	Description
M15 Globular Cluster				Globular clusters are one of the oldest objects in our galaxy. A densely packed collection of as many as100,000 stars that all formed at the same time. Globular clusters are normally found out side the disk of our galaxy in polar orbits of our galactic centre.
The Great Hercules Globular Cluster
The Lagoon Nebula				A diffuse nebula with an open cluster of stars see the first stages in a stars life cycle in this region of space where stars are forming out of a massive interstellar gas cloud.
The Triffid Nebula				An emission, reflection and dark nebula with an open cluster of stars this red emission nebula is given its distinctive look by its accompanied dark nebula which gives it a flower like appearance A much bluer reflection nebula can also be found in to one side of the flower.
Crab Nebula				Massive stars can end their lives in huge explosions called supernovae. This nebula is the remnant of a supernovas, one of the few recorded in the Milky Way galaxy. Historical records make note of its occurrence in 1024 AD. Its rippled appearance is caused by the shockwave as the star exploded.
Pleiades				Open clusters of stars Groups of stars known to be at a common distance due to measurements in their movements. Due to their large angular size the pleiades and Praesepe are both important in many mythical stories.
Praesepe (Beehive Cluster)
North America Nebula				An open cluster of stars and gas and dust, particularly interesting to look at due to the range in colours and magnitudes of the stars. The nebula gets its name from the nebulous material that takes the shape of North America.
Galaxies
Name	Constellation camera	Cluster camera	Galaxy camera	Description
The Pinwheel Galaxy				A spiral galaxy similar in appearance to our own Milky Way galaxy. Like all spiral galaxies it has a distinctive catherine wheel firework like appearance, which in this case gives the galaxy its name.
The Andromeda Galaxy				The Andromeda galaxy is the Milky Way's sister galaxy. Due to its close proximity and size, the galaxy is best imaged with the larger field of view in the Cluster camera.
The Cigar Galaxy				This peculiar galaxy was formed as two galaxies collided head on. At the point of collision a large amount of activity can be seen to be taking place, with stars exploding in bright bursts and new stars forming.
The Whirlpool Galaxy				A double spiral galaxy The larger galaxy of the two cannibalizes its smaller companion galaxy. matter is pulled of the smaller galaxy as if being sucked into a whirlpool
The Sombrero Galaxy				A spiral galaxy viewed from side on to give it its distinctive appearance.