How to Use a Reflecting Telescope

A reflecting telescope can be one of the most enjoyable and rewarding pieces of hobby equipment for science-minded individuals. Interesting celestial events are spread all throughout the calendar, and there are so many stars and planets to look at that you'll never examine them all in your lifetime. With a reflecting telescope, you literally have a lifetime of entertainment. Follow these steps to set up and begin using yours.

Things You'll Need

• Reflecting telescope
• Telescope tripod or other stand
• Interchangeable telescope eyepieces
• Star charts
• Small flashlight

Instructions

1. Get out your telescope, tripod and all of your accessories indoors or during the day. If you have the original documentation that came with the telescope, get it out and familiarize yourself with the telescope's basic parts and functions.

2. Make sure you've identified the eyepiece mount and have familiarized yourself with your telescope's mechanism for changing eyepieces. Most telescopes have proprietary locking systems to hold the eyepieces in place, but nearly all of them can be manipulated without tools of any kind.

3. Locate the finder scope. This is a separate eyepiece that is used to align the telescope, and it should be surrounded by screws that you can tighten or loosen by hand to change its position.

4. Study your star charts. You may need to refer to them frequently when outdoors at night, but since they will be harder to see, you're better off by learning as much as you can in advance.

5. Wait for nightfall, then take all of your telescope equipment to a dark clearing. Ideally, you want to be in complete darkness; cities and even neighborhood streets tend to have too much ambient light for viewing. You should also set up in an area where there are few or no trees that might obstruct your view.

6. Take the lenscap off of the telescope.

7. Put the lowest power eyepiece on the telescope. Aim the telescope at the night sky and move it around until you can see the moon in the center of the eyepiece. The moon makes an ideal target for aligning the telescope because it is bright and easily recognizable.

8. Look through the finder scope. Loosen and adjust the screws surrounding the finder scope to manipulate its position. You should be able to see a crosshairs in the center of the scope; adjust the screws until the crosshairs are centered perfectly on the moon.

9. Start observing the night sky once your telescope is properly aligned. When necessary, refer to your star charts by using a small pocket flashlight, but remember to give your eyes a few moments to readjust to the darkness after shining the light each time.

10. Replace the lens cap when you are finished observing and pack up your telescope safely, ideally in a case designed for this purpose.

Tips & Warnings

• High quality telescopes can cost several hundred dollars, so it pays to shop wisely and to familiarize yourself with telescope brands before buying.

• Never use a telescope to look directly into the sun.