Bradford Robotic Telescope
Wednesday 7 January

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.

  1. Click on the preview thumbnail of the object you are interested in
  2. 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.
  3. You will then be taken to a job order form with all the required fields completed.
  4. 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.
  5. 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 Order a cluster camera image of the Moon Order a galaxy camera image of 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 Order an image of 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 order an image of Saturn with its rings 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 order an image of the constellation aries Learn more Zodiacal constellations, gain their significance from the apparent motion of the Sun through the constellation.

Learn more...
Taurus order an image of the constellation Taurus Learn more
Gemini order an image of the constellation Gemini Learn more
Cancer order an image of the constellation Cancer Learn more
Leo order an image of the constellation Leo Learn more
Virgo order an image of the constellation Virgo Learn more
Libra order an image of the constellation Libra Learn more
Scorpius order an image of the constellation Scorpius Learn more
Sagittarius order an image of the constellation Sagittarius Learn more
Capricornus order an image of the constellation Capricornus Learn more
Aquarius order an image of the constellation Aquarius Learn more
Pisces order an image of the constellation Pisces Learn more
Clusters and Nebulae
Name Constellation Camera Cluster Camera Galaxy camera Description
M15 Globular Cluster order an image of M15

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.

Learn more...
The Great Hercules Globular Cluster order an image of the Great Hercules Globular Cluster
The Lagoon Nebula order a cluster camera image of the Lagoon Nebula order a galaxy camera image of 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.
Learn more...
The Triffid Nebula order a cluster camera image of theTriffid Nebula order a galaxy camera image of 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 order an image of the 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.
Learn more...
Pleiades order an image of the 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) order an image of the Beehive Cluster
North America Nebula Order an image of the North American 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 order an image of 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.
Learn more....
The Andromeda Galaxy Order an image of 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 Order an image of 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 Order an image of 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 Order an image of the Sombrero Galaxy A spiral galaxy viewed from side on to give it its distinctive appearance.