So you’ve got a National Geographic telescope. That’s exciting. Learning how to use National Geographic telescope models is your first step to seeing the rings of Saturn or the craters on the Moon. This guide will walk you through everything, from unboxing to finding your first celestial target. We’ll use simple language and clear steps to make your stargazing journey smooth.
How to Use National Geographic Telescope
This main section covers the core process. Think of it as your roadmap from setup to observation. We’ll break it down into managable stages so you don’t feel overwhelmed.
Step 1: Unboxing and Initial Assembly
Start by carefully unpacking all components. Lay them out on a clean, soft surface like a carpet to prevent scratches. The main parts usually include:
- The optical tube (the main body of the telescope).
- The tripod (three legs that provide support).
- The mount (the head that holds the tube and connects to the tripod).
- Eyepieces (these are the lenses you look through; higher mm numbers mean lower magnification).
- A finderscope (a small, low-power scope on the side for aiming).
- Accessories like a diagonal mirror (for refractors) or a Barlow lens.
First, extend the tripod legs and lock them securely. Attach the mount to the top of the tripod, tightening any central bolt. Then, place the optical tube into the mount’s rings or bracket. Secure it firmly, but don’t overtighten. You’ll want to balance it later.
Step 2: Understanding Your Telescope’s Key Parts
Before you point it at the sky, know what your looking at. Familiarity prevents fustration later.
- Aperture: The diameter of the main lens or mirror. This is the most important spec—it determines how much light your telescope gathers. A bigger aperture shows fainter objects and more detail.
- Focal Length: The distance light travels inside the telescope. It’s usually printed on the tube. Combined with eyepiece focal length, it determines magnification.
- Focuser: The knob or wheel that moves the eyepiece in and out to bring the image into sharp focus.
- Mount Types: Your National Geographic scope likely has an alt-azimuth (up-down, left-right) or equatorial mount (tracks celestial motion). We’ll cover aligning an equatorial mount later.
Step 3: Setting Up the Finderscope
A finderscope is crucial because the main telescope’s view is very narrow. It must be aligned in the daytime. Do not skip this step.
- Point your telescope at a distant, stationary object during the day, like a telephone pole top or a chimney.
- Look through the main telescope with a low-power eyepiece (e.g., 25mm) and center the object precisely.
- Without moving the main tube, look through the finderscope. It’s crosshairs will likely be off-target.
- Adjust the finderscope’s adjustment screws (usually three or six around its bracket) until the crosshairs are centered on the exact same object.
- Check again through the main telescope and fine-tune. Now they are aligned.
Step 4: Balancing and Securing the Telescope
If your telescope has an equatorial mount, balancing is essential for smooth movement. Loosen the clutch knobs on the right ascension (RA) and declination (DEC) axes. The telescope should not swing freely on it’s own. Adjust the tube’s position in the rings until it stays put in any position you place it. Then re-tighten the clutches. This reduces strain on the mount and makes tracking easier.
For Equatorial Mount Polar Alignment (Basic)
For casual viewing, a rough polar alignment is sufficient. Set the mount’s latitude scale to your city’s latitude. Point the entire mount (not just the telescope) so the polar axis (the one that should rotate once per day) is facing as close to true north as possible. You can use a compass, but remember magnetic north differs. At night, you’ll roughly point this axis at Polaris, the North Star.
Step 5: Your First Night Out
Start with the Moon. It’s the easiest and most impressive target. Set up your telescope on stable ground, not a wooden deck. Let it acclimate to the outside temperature for 20-30 minutes to reduce heat waves inside the tube.
- Insert your lowest-power eyepiece (highest mm number).
- Loosen the mount locks and point the telescope in the Moon’s general direction.
- Look through your aligned finderscope and center the Moon in its crosshairs.
- Now, look through the main eyepiece. The Moon should be there, but blurry.
- Slowly turn the focus knob until the lunar craters snap into sharp, stunning detail.
Take your time here. Enjoy the view. Try a higher-power eyepiece later, but know that very high magnification can make the image dim and shaky.
Step 6: Finding Planets and Deep-Sky Objects
After the Moon, try bright planets like Jupiter or Saturn. Use a star chart app on your phone to find where they are in the sky. The process is the same: use the finderscope to get the object in view, then fine-tune with the main scope. For faint deep-sky objects like nebulae or galaxies, patience is key. They will appear as faint gray smudges, not colorful Hubble-like images. Let your eyes adapt to darkness for at least 15 minutes.
Step 7: Using Different Eyepieces and Accessories
Your telescope probably came with two or three eyepieces. The Barlow lens doubles or triples the magnification of any eyepiece you insert it before. Remember: maximum useful magnification is roughly 50x per inch of aperture. Start low, go high only when the air is steady. A moon filter can reduce the Moon’s glare for more comfortable viewing.
Maintenance and Care for Longevity
Taking good care of your telescope ensures it performs well for years. A little preventative maintenance goes a long way.
Cleaning Optics
This is the most important rule: clean optics only when absolutely necessary. Dust does little harm. Improper cleaning causes scratches.
- Use a soft-bristled brush (like a photographer’s lens blower brush) to gently remove loose dust.
- For fingerprints or smudges, use lens tissue and a few drops of special lens cleaning fluid. Never use household glass cleaner.
- Apply fluid to the tissue, not directly on the lens. Wipe gently in a circular motion from the center outward.
Storage and Transportation
Always store your telescope in a dry, dust-free place. Keep it covered with its dust caps on. If you transport it, secure the tube and tripod in your vehicle to prevent bumps and jolts. Avoid leaving it in a hot car, as this can damage lubricants and optical coatings.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with the best prep, you might encounter problems. Here’s how to solve the most frequent ones.
I Can’t See Anything Through the Eyepiece
First, ensure all lens caps are removed, including the one on the finderscope. Check that you’re using an eyepiece. Make sure the telescope is not pointed at a blank patch of sky—start with the Moon. Finally, rack the focuser all the way in and out slowly; the object may just be severely out of focus.
The Image is Blurry or Wavy
If stars look like little seagulls instead of sharp points, you have poor “seeing” (atmospheric turbulence). Wait for a calmer night. If the image is consistently blurry, your optics might need collimation (alignment). Refractors rarely need this, but reflectors do. Consult your manual for collimation instructions.
The Mount is Wobbly or Hard to Move
Ensure all tripod leg locks are fully engaged. Extend the thinner leg sections last for more stability. If the mount moves stiffly, check for overtightened clutch or lock knobs. Some mounts have tension adjustment controls—adjust them until movement is smooth but not loose.
Recommended Beginner Targets
Here’s a list of fantastic first targets to practice your skills on. They are bright and easy to locate with a little help from an app.
- The Moon: Always your best first target. Try observing along the “terminator” (the line between light and shadow) where craters cast long, dramatic shadows.
- Jupiter: Look for its four bright Galilean moons lined up beside it. You might see two dark cloud bands on the planet’s disk.
- Saturn: Even at moderate power, its rings are unmistakable and breathtaking.
- The Pleiades (M45): A beautiful star cluster that looks great even in low power.
- The Orion Nebula (M42): A bright nebula visible in winter. You’ll see a fuzzy patch with a trapezium of stars at its center.
FAQ Section
How do I set up my National Geographic telescope?
Start by assembling the tripod and mount. Then attach the optical tube. The critical next step is to align the finderscope in daylight. Finally, learn to balance the telescope on its mount for smooth operation.
What can I see with a National Geographic telescope?
You can see lunar craters, Jupiter’s moons and bands, Saturn’s rings, bright star clusters like the Pleiades, and some nebulae like Orion. It won’t look like photos, but the live view is uniquely impressive.
Why is everything upside down in my telescope?
Astronomical telescopes often produce inverted images. This is normal and not a defect. It doesn’t matter for space viewing. Some models come with a diagonal that corrects this, but it can reduce image quality slightly.
How do I maintain my telescope?
Store it with dust caps on in a dry place. Clean the lenses rarely and with extreme care, using only proper lens cleaning supplies. Avoid touching the optics with your fingers.
Can I use my telescope to look at birds or landscapes?
Yes, but the image will likely be upside down or mirrored. For terrestrial viewing, you may need an erecting prism accessory to correct the image orientation.
What do the numbers on the eyepieces mean?
The number (e.g., 10mm, 25mm) is the focal length. A smaller number gives higher magnification. To calculate magnification, divide your telescope’s focal length by the eyepiece’s focal length.
My finderscope is useless at night. What’s wrong?
You probably didn’t align it in daylight. It’s nearly impossible to align in the dark. Go back and complete the daytime alignment procedure—it makes all the difference.
Starting out with a new telescope can feel challenging, but each step builds your confidence. Remember to be patient with yourself and the equipment. The sky isn’t going anywhere. Start with easy targets, master the finderscope, and take time to just look. The skills will come with practice, and the views of the cosmos will be your reward. Clear skies are ahead.