Reference Line Maps are designed for use with the Reference Line Method.  Bright reference stars serve as reference line end points.  This method is especially suited to telescopes or binoculars equipped with red dot finders.  The Reference Line Method also works great with green laser pointers.

We have selected M75 (see above) for our illustrations because M75 is commonly considered one of the more difficult Messier Objects to locate by star hopping. Using a green laser pointer or a red dot finder with the Reference Line Method, M75 shows up on first try for most observers.

A green laser pointer can be mounted to a tripod next to the telescope or binoculars, or mounted on and aligned with either one.  Simply identify the reference lines and point at the intersection. Then follow the green light sword in the viewfinder until it ends on your object.  Life doesn’t get any better than that!

The red dot finder is just as effective in locating deep sky objects with the Reference Line Method:

Follow this process to locate M75 or any object using the Reference Line Method with a red dot finder sight:

1 Look around (not through) the red dot finder at the end point stars of the shorter reference line, using the intersecting line to help you approximate the proper placement.

2.  Look through your telescope to see if you found it on the first try.  If not, recheck the map and slide the telescope slightly along the same line until the position of the red dot matches the map.

3.  If the object doesn’t show up on second try, your scope has probably become misaligned with respect to the finder.  Realign the scope and start over.  No more wandering and wondering  for objects.

Because you look around, not through, the red dot finder to locate reference stars, fogging of the finder is not a problem.  Simply ratchet up the intensity of the red dot if a little dew forms.