How To Use Telescope

If you’ve just gotten your first telescope, you might be wondering how to use telescope to see the moon, planets, and stars. This guide will walk you through everything, from setup to finding your first galaxy, in simple, clear steps.

Astronomy is a fantastic hobby, but it can feel overwhelming at the start. Don’t worry. With a bit of know-how, you’ll be navigating the night sky confidently in no time.

Using a telescope properly is more than just pointing it at the sky. It involves understanding your equipment, setting it up correctly, and knowing how to find and observe celestial objects. Let’s break down the entire process.

Understanding Your Telescope’s Parts

Before you do anything, you need to know what you’re working with. Most beginner telescopes are reflectors or refractors, but they share common components.

Optical Tube: This is the main body of the telescope. It gathers light.
Mount: This holds the tube. It can be an alt-azimuth (moves up-down and left-right) or an equatorial (aligned with Earth’s axis).
Tripod: The three-legged stand that provides stability. Always make sure its legs are fully extended and locked.
Finderscope: A small, low-power scope attached to the main tube. It has a wide field of view to help you aim.
Eyepiece: This is the part you look through. Different eyepieces provide different magnification levels (e.g., 25mm, 10mm).
Focuser: The knob or mechanism that moves the eyepiece in and out to bring the image into sharp focus.

Step-by-Step First Time Setup

Follow these steps carefully for your first night out. Doing it in daylight first is a great idea.

1. Assemble the Tripod and Mount

Start on a flat, stable surface. Attach the mount head to the tripod according to your manual. Ensure all knobs are tight but don’t over-tighten them. A wobbly telescope is very frustrating to use.

2. Attach the Optical Tube

Most tubes have a bracket or rings that connect to the mount. Secure the tube firmly. The tube should balance and not tip when you let go gently. If your mount has counterweights (common on equatorial mounts), attach them as instructed.

3. Align the Finderscope (Crucial Step)

This is the most important step for success. Do it during the day.

Point your main telescope at a distant, stationary object like a telephone pole or a chimney.
Center the object in your main eyepiece (use a low-power one like a 25mm). Get a sharp focus.
Look through the finderscope. You’ll likely see the object off-center.
Adjust the finderscope’s adjustment screws until the object is perfectly centered in its crosshairs.

Now your finderscope and main telescope are pointing at the same spot. Check this alignment again once it’s dark.

4. Insert an Eyepiece

Always start with your lowest magnification eyepiece (the one with the highest millimeter number, like 25mm). It gives the brightest image and widest view, making it easiest to find things. Slide it into the focuser and secure it.

Using Your Telescope at Night

Now for the fun part. Take your fully assembled telescope outside. Let it sit for 20-30 minutes to adjust to the outside temperature. This prevents wobbly air inside the tube from ruining your view.

Finding Your First Targets

The Moon is the perfect first target. It’s bright, easy to find, and reveals amazing detail.

Loosen the locks on your mount so the telescope can move freely.
Without looking through the scope, physically point it in the general direction of the Moon.
Look through your finderscope. Adjust the telescope’s position until the Moon is in the center of the finderscope’s crosshairs.
Now look through the main eyepiece. The Moon should be there! Use the focuser knob to get a crisp image.

Once you’ve found it, try a higher magnification eyepiece (like a 10mm) to see closer details. The view along the terminator (the line between light and shadow) shows the best crater detail.

Moving to Planets and Stars

After the Moon, try a bright planet like Jupiter or Venus. Use a star chart app on your phone to see where they are in the sky. The process is the same: point with the finderscope, then observe with the main eyepiece.

For Planets: Use higher magnification. On Jupiter, you might see its cloud bands and its four largest moons. Saturn’s rings are a breathtaking sight.
For Stars: Stars will always look like points of light (they’re too far away to see as disks). But you can enjoy colorful double stars or star clusters.

Mastering Focus and Magnification

Many beginners think more magnification is always better. This is not true.

Atmospheric conditions often limit useful magnification to about 200x. Too much power makes the image dim and fuzzy. Start low, get the target centered, then carefully switch to a higher power eyepiece if the view supports it. Refocus every time you change eyepieces or look at a new object.

Understanding Different Telescope Mounts

How you point your telescope depends on your mount type.

Alt-Azimuth Mount (Simple)

This mount moves in simple up-down (altitude) and left-right (azimuth) motions. It’s very intuitive, like a camera tripod. To follow an object, you just nudge it a little in both directions. Many beginner scopes use this.

Equatorial Mount (For Tracking)

This looks more complex. Its axis must be aligned with Earth’s North Pole (a process called polar alignment). Once set up, you only need to turn one slow-motion knob to follow stars as they move. This is essential for long exposure astrophotography but takes more practice for visual use.

Tips for Better Viewing

Let Your Eyes Adjust: Spend at least 20 minutes in the dark. You’ll see much fainter objects.
Use a Red Light: A flashlight with a red bulb preserves your night vision. White light will ruin it.
Be Patient: Views get steadier after midnight when the ground has cooled. Also, looking at an object for several minutes often reveals more subtle detail.
Keep a Log: Write down what you see, with the date and equipment used. It’s rewarding to track your progress.

Maintenance and Care

Your telescope is a precision instrument. Always cover the lens or mirror when not in use to keep dust out. Store it in a dry place. Avoid touching glass surfaces with your fingers. If you need to clean optics, use special lens cleaning fluid and microfiber cloths made for optics, and do so very sparingly.

Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

Skipping Finderscope Alignment: This leads to endless frustration. Always align it first.
Using Too High Magnification: Start low, go high only if the view is stable and bright.
Rushing: Astronomy requires a slow, methodical approach. Take your time.
Observing Over Rooftops or Pavement: Heat rising from buildings and roads creates bad “seeing” (wobbly air). Observe over grassy areas if possible.

What to Expect From Your Telescope

It’s important to have realistic expectations. Photos from the Hubble Space Telescope show vibrant colors and vast structures. Through your eyepiece, most galaxies and nebulae will appear as faint gray smudges. The beauty is in knowing what you are looking at—the light from another galaxy entering your eye. Planets, however, can show wonderful detail.

Next Steps in Your Astronomy Journey

Once you’re comfortable with the basics, you can consider a few upgrades. A better quality eyepiece can improve sharpness. A planisphere (star finder wheel) or a good astronomy app is invaluable. You might also consider joining a local astronomy club. Sharing the views with others is a great way to learn.

FAQ Section

Why can’t I see anything through my telescope?

First, check that all lens caps are removed. Ensure you’re using a low-power eyepiece. Make absolutely sure your finderscope is aligned. Finally, double-check your focus—turn the focus knob slowly through its full range.

How do I use a telescope to see planets?

Use an app to find when and where your target planet is visible. Start with a low-power eyepiece to find it, center it, then switch to a higher-power eyepiece. Observe on nights of steady atmosphere for the clearest views.

What is the proper way to set up a telescope for beginners?

Assemble the tripod and mount on solid ground. Attach the optical tube securely. Align the finderscope on a distant daytime object. At night, start observing with your lowest magnification eyepiece. Always let the telescope cool down to the outdoor temperature.

Can I use a telescope during the day?

Yes, for terrestrial viewing (like birds or landscapes), but you must be very careful. Never, ever point your telescope at or near the Sun unless you have a specifically designed, professionally made solar filter that fits securely over the front of the telescope. Without this, looking at the Sun will cause instant and permanent eye blindness.

How do I clean my telescope lenses?

Clean them as little as possible. Use a soft blower brush to remove dust. For fingerprints or smudges, use optics cleaning fluid and a microfiber cloth. Apply gentle pressure in a circular motion from the center outwards. Never use household glass cleaner.

Why is everything upside down in my telescope?

Most astronomical telescopes show images upside-down or mirrored. This is normal and doesn’t matter for space viewing. Some telescopes come with a “diagonal” that makes the view right-side-up for land use, but it may still be mirrored left-to-right.