How do you use a telescope?

Question

I found a telescope in my grandparents basement and thought it would be fun to use. i took it out side and looked through it. it was clear but i couldnt see that far. then i realized i was suposed to be using the eyepiece. i put it on and i could see nothing! i tried every which way to put it on...with the other lenses. and i couldnt see a thing. all black. and once in a while gray. please tell me what i am doing wrong!

Answer 1

Make sure the lens cover is off the tube of the telescope and nothing is blocking the eyepiece. Once that's done, you're probably just WAY out of focus. There should be a focusing knob near the eyepiece. Start turning it in one direction - it might take a while before an image appears. If it doesn't work after about a minute, start going back in the other direction. This might be easier to do at night - if you point the out-of-focus telescope at a star, you should see a big fuzzy donut where the star should be (and a few lines through it if you have a reflector). Once that big donut is reduced to a point source, you're in focus.

Answer 2

The first thing you will need to know is does your telescope have a polar axis or not, that is, is it intended to track, or is it merely a point and look, or what we call Alt-Az. Alt means altitude and Az means azimuth, where Alt is the distance above the horizon, and Az is the direction in a circle around the horizon. If you have an Alt-Az mount, just skip the polar alignment step.

If you have a polar axis, that is, your telescope is intended to track the stars, then find north, and make sure the polar axis is approximately lined up in that direction. It does not have to be too accurate, but make sure it is pointing pretty close to north. If you are not sure where north is, either use a magnetic compass, or try to find Polaris, the North Star.

For instructions on precise polar alignment, see our FAQ on How to Align an Astronomical Telescope.

Now your are ready to align the finder scope.

You will have to find a way to align your finderscope so that it is in line and points to the same thing you see in the eyepiece. Then you can use it to find objects of interest. The best way to do this is to find the lowest power eyepiece you have, and use it to find a bright planet like Juipter, or even the moon. Once you get Jupiter centered in the eyepiece of your telescope, and if your telescope tracks, lock down the drive to follow the planet so it will stay centered in the eyepiece. If your telescope does not track, then just re-center the planet in the eyepiece from time to time.

Now, look at the finder scope. I assume it is a scope. It should have somewhere on the mount at least one set of three thumb screws holding the finderscope in place. Gently loosen the screws on the finderscope and look through its eyepiece. You should see a cross hair or "X". Align the planet on the cross hair by alternately adjusting the screws until it stays centered. When it is, try to tighten the screws so it holds the finderscope securely. Now your finderscope is aligned with the telescope eyepiece, and you should be able to use it to find other objects of interest.

If aligning the finderscope is too hard to do at night, then try doing the alignment during the day, by finding the top of a telephone pole, a radio tower, or similar object, at least a mile distant, and use it for aligning the finder scope. Then wait for nightfall.

Be aware that finderscopes loose their alignment quite easily, because those screws can be rattled loose, so you will have to do this often. Be sure to check the alignment every time you use the telescope, and realign if necessary.

You are now ready to use your telescope.


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Viewing Things Right-Side Up
QUESTION: Help! I know nothing about telescopes and a friend gave my 8 yr old son one. Why are things upside down? Is this normal?

ANSWER: Things always look upside down in an astronomical telescope. This is perfectly normal, and there is nothing wrong with your instrument.

Things look right-side up in a pair of binoculars because they have a prism that flips the image for normal viewing.

If you want to use your telescope to view terrestrial objects during the day, you will need to get an erecting prism. Try contacting Orion Telescopes in California, http://www.oriontel.com/.

If you are using your telescope to view astronomical objects at night, this is not nearly as much of a problem. In fact, most astronomers quickly get used to the inverted views in their telescopes.

Please keep in mind that this is a perfectly normal characteristic of astronomical telescopes, and that there is nothing wrong with your equipment.

Answer 3

To use a telescope u need to get out of town in the country as the lights will make it difficult to see. U may try to focus it on the moon it is a good target for beginners.
One of those those shall not do is look at the sun.
Good luck

Answer 4

Take the cap /dust cover off the front lol

Answer 5

If you have a refractor telescope it might be out of calibration.

This link might help you. :)

http://www.mybinocularshop.com/guides/collimating.asp