How to Set Up a Telescope

Looking into the stars is a hobby that almost anyone can enjoy.

People of all ages use telescopes on beautiful nights to look at our galactic neighbors. Before you set up the telescope, choose your location carefully. The area must be free of street lights, car headlights or light from nearby cities. The area must be free of trees, buildings or anything else that might obstruct your view of the stars. The ground must be flat and level to give the telescope a steady base. All telescopes are different, but they have many of the same parts and general instructions apply. For specific guidelines, check with your owner's manual.

Things You'll Need

• Telescope

Instructions

1. Point the leg of the tripod labeled "N" to the north. Raise the legs until the telescope is at a comfortable viewing height. Lock the legs in place. A small scope called the polar axis may be attached to the tripod in some models. Find Polaris, the North Star. Turn the tripod so that it is aimed at Polaris.

2. Loosen the mounting screws on the tripod. There should be two of them, but some models have three depending on the weight of the telescope.

3. Remove the telescope from its case. Use two hands. Do not pick the telescope up by either end, but grasp it firmly in the middle. Find the grooves that correspond to the grooves in the mounting plate. Slowly turn the telescope so that the grooves face the plate.

4. Place the telescope on the mounting plate and hold it firmly. Tighten the largest mounting screw first, then the smaller ones. Tighten them a little bit at a time, moving from one screw to another until they are all firmly in place. Slowly remove your hands, watching for any shifting.

5. Attach the finder tube. This can be in different places, but is usually near the top side of the telescope. Tighten the screws that hold the tube in place. Insert the eyepiece. It is held in place with a small screw.

6. Adjust the focus knob to bring the stars into sharp view.

Tips & Warnings

• The first couple of times you mount a telescope is a two-person job. One person holds the telescope while the other tightens the mounting screws.

• Tie a thread around the shaft of the smallest screws and tape the thread to the scope or tripod before taking it into the field. If they fall out, those tiny screws are almost impossible to find in the grass.

• Because of the delicate nature of the lenses and mirrors in the telescope, it is important to handle it carefully.

References

• Leitner Family Observatory and Planetarium at Yale: How to Set Up the 16-inch Telescope for Visual Observing
• Universe Today: How to Use a Telescope
• Volunteer State: Telescope Setup Instructions
• Astro Tom: Setting Up a Telescope
• Astronomy: Polar Align Your Telescope, Here's How