Telescope questions...?

Question

I just got a telescope . I am having a hard time using it right. I studied the books and went online for tips, still I am finding it difficult to use? Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Usually the biggest mistake new telescope owners do is to use too much magnification. Start with 40 - 50x. The views are brighter, sharper and is far less demanding on the telescope mount.

Start with bright objects like the moon. Make sure your finder scope is properly aligned as this will greatly help you in locating things.

Find a local astronomy club. They are happy and eager to help beginners.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Dear sir or madam:

It is real hard to answer your question because you did not tell us what you could do and what you could not do with the telescope. We don't know what part of the process you don't understand...

So, take the telescope and pick out the fartherest thing away that you can clearly see, like maybe the Moon. Point it at the Moon, and go through all the adjustments for the lenses that you have available until you get a really sharp picture of the Moon's surface.

Leave the focus knob set there and swing the telescope over to a nearby star. you might need to barely tweak the focus knob ever so slightly. Make sure that you align the spotting scope with the main view of the big scope correctly or you will point the scope all over the place and never see what you want to see. This is a very important adjustment and must be carefully done, checked, and rechecked after tightening all adjustment knobs.

Make sure your Star Chart is for the correct Month and Hemisphere. Orient the chart correctly for the North and South directions and do the same with your telescope if you have one that has graduations on the Azimuth around the base.

Then you should be in pretty fair shape to begin observations.
Always use a red light to illuminate your star chart book or your eyes will never see anything out in space because white lights wll ruin your night vision. Only use the telescope in areas where there are no street and house lights visable.
The stray light rays from them will mess up all your efforts with the telescope at night.

Answer 3

First start with a large object, the Moon. Once you have your telescope focused on the Moon then you can change your eyepiece powers. Also while your looking at the Moon you can adjust your finder scope (if you have one). Never align your finder and your scope using terrestrial objects, it never aligns properly.
Once you have practiced with the Moon you can then look for the planets like Saturn, Jupiter and Venus (the brightest of the planets).
You need to take it a step at a time. Stars should only be studied of you know its a binary star system, otherwise all you will se is a brighter point of light then you see with your eyes.
Hope this helps. Without knowing what your specific problems are this is pretty generic assistance.

Answer 4

What is the problem?

Focus?
Focus could be related to what you are trying to see. Stars don;t focus. The power of your scope and size may prevent clear view of many things. If you can find Jupiter, it may be a fuzzy spot rathyer than a large stiped object that you expect. The moons are usually just bright dots in a row. What did you buy vs. what did you expect? Venus is never clear, Mars is red and Saturn's rings are visible.
Practice on the moon first. The craters come in clear even with binoculars.

Movement?
The earth moves as you are viewing. If you don not have an equitorial mount, the scope moves out of sight in seconds for planet viewing. .

Shaking? When you set the scope, give it time to settle. It shakes as it is moved and focused usually.

Answer 5

Telescopes are not easy to use. I suggest you find if there is an astronomy club in your area and if there is, join. The members of the clubs are extremely helpful for beginners.

Answer 6

My suggestion is you tell us a lot more about your problem(s) *and* what kind of telescope you have (..not brand name but the type, i.e., reflector, refractor, aperature, etc.,.

Answer 7

it is hard to say what your problem is, since you didn't tell us what your scope is or what is your problem. you can make an addition to your question by specifying what your problem is . thank you. and thanks for the 2 points