If you’ve just gotten your first telescope, you might be wondering how to work a Tasco telescope. These popular instruments are a fantastic gateway to the night sky, but setting them up correctly is key to a great view. This guide will walk you through every step, from unboxing to finding your first star.
We’ll cover the different types of Tasco telescopes you might have. You’ll learn how to assemble the tripod, attach the optical tube, and use the finderscope. We’ll also explain how to choose the right eyepiece and focus properly. With a little patience, you’ll be viewing the Moon’s craters in no time.
How To Work A Tasco Telescope
Working your telescope starts with understanding its parts. Most Tasco models share common components, even if they look a bit different. Let’s break down what you have.
Identifying Your Telescope Type
Tasco makes a few main kinds of telescopes. Knowing yours helps you set it up right.
- Refractor Telescopes: These have a long, thin tube. Light goes in through a lens at the front. They are often good for viewing the Moon and planets.
- Reflector Telescopes: These have a shorter, wider tube. They use a mirror at the bottom to gather light. They are generally better for faint objects like galaxies.
- Catadioptric Telescopes (like Maksutov-Cassegrains): These have a compact, tubby design. They use a combination of lenses and mirrors. They are very portable and versatile.
Unboxing and Initial Setup
Carefully take all parts out of the box. Lay them on a soft surface like a carpet to prevent scratches. The main pieces usually include:
- The optical tube (the main body of the telescope).
- A tripod with extendable legs.
- The mount that holds the tube.
- A box of accessories (eyepieces, finderscope, etc.).
Find the instruction manual that came with your specific model. It will have a parts diagram which is super helpful for identification.
Assembling the Tripod
Start with the tripod. Extend the legs to a comfortable height, usually so the eyepiece is at or slightly below eye level when you stand. Tighten the leg locks securely. A wobbly tripod is the biggest enemy of a clear view. Place the tripod on solid, level ground.
Attaching the Mount and Optical Tube
Next, attach the mount head to the top of the tripod. This is often done with a central bolt or screw. Now, carefully place the optical tube into the mount’s rings or cradle. Use the provided screws or clamps to secure it, but don’t overtighten. The tube should be held firmly but not crushed.
Understanding Key Components
Before you look at the sky, get to know these essential parts.
The Finderscope
This is the small telescope attached to the side of the main tube. It has a wide field of view. Its only job is to help you point the big telescope in the right direction. You must align it with the main tube during the day, a process we’ll cover next.
Eyepieces
These are the removable lenses you look through. They determine magnification. They are marked with numbers like 25mm, 10mm, or 4mm. A higher number (like 25mm) gives a wider, brighter view with lower magnification. A lower number (like 4mm) provides higher magnification but a dimmer, narrower view. Always start with your lowest power eyepiece (the one with the highest mm number) to find objects.
The Focuser
This is the knob or wheel that moves the eyepiece in and out. Turning it brings the image into sharp focus. It often has two knobs, one for coarse adjustment and a smaller one for fine-tuning.
The Mount
The mount holds the tube and lets you move it. Most beginner Tascos have an alt-azimuth (Alt-Az) mount. It moves up-down (altitude) and left-right (azimuth). Some may have a simple equatorial mount, which is designed to track stars by moving along one axis aligned with the Earth’s pole.
Step-by-Step: Aligning Your Finderscope
This is the most important step for success. Do it in daylight, never at night.
- Insert your lowest-power eyepiece (e.g., 25mm) into the focuser.
- Point your telescope at a distant, stationary object. A power line insulator on a pole or a treetop works great. Do not use the Sun.
- Look through the eyepiece and center the object. Turn the focus knob until the image is sharp.
- Now, look through the finderscope. You’ll likely see the same object, but not centered. The finderscope has three or six adjustment screws around its bracket.
- Gently turn these screws to move the finderscope’s crosshairs until they are centered exactly on the same object you see in the main telescope.
- Double-check by looking in the main eyepiece again. If the object is still centered, your finderscope is aligned. This makes finding night sky objects much, much easier.
How to Observe Your First Targets
Start with easy, bright objects. The Moon is perfect. Wait for an evening when the Moon is a crescent or half-full. The shadows along the terminator line make craters and mountains stand out dramatically.
- Set up your telescope outside and let it adjust to the outdoor temperature for 20-30 minutes.
- Loosen the locks on your mount so the tube moves freely.
- Without using the telescope, sight along the tube to point it roughly at the Moon.
- Now, look through your finderscope. Adjust the telescope position until the Moon is in the center of the finderscope’s crosshairs.
- Look through your main eyepiece. The Moon should be there! If it’s blurry, turn the focus knob slowly until the surface details become crisp.
Try different eyepieces. Switch to a higher power (lower mm number) to zoom in on specific features. Notice how the image gets dimmer and shakier if the power is to high or if the wind is blowing.
Moving to Planets and Stars
After the Moon, try Jupiter or Saturn. You can use a stargazing app on your phone to find where they are in the sky. The process is the same: use the finderscope to get the planet in the crosshairs, then view through the main eyepiece.
At high magnification, you might see Jupiter’s cloud bands and its four largest moons. Saturn’s rings are visible even in small telescopes. Remember, planets will appear small, like bright discs. They won’t fill the veiw like photos from NASA.
For stars, they will always look like points of light, no matter how much you magnify. But you can enjoy colorful double stars or star clusters, which look beautiful in a telescope.
Essential Tips for Better Viewing
- Let Your Telescope Cool: If your telescope was stored inside, its mirrors or lenses need time to equalize with the outside air. This prevents wobbly, blurry images. Give it at least 20 minutes.
- Avoid Vibration: Touch the telescope gently when focusing. Wait a second for the vibrations to stop before looking.
- Use averted vision: When looking at a very faint object, try looking slightly to the side of it. The edge of your eye is more sensitive to dim light.
- Start Low, Go Slow: Always find objects with your lowest-power eyepiece first. Then you can switch to higher powers carefully.
- Keep Both Eyes Open: This reduces eye strain. It feels weird at first, but you’ll get used to it.
Maintenance and Care
Taking care of your Tasco telescope will ensure it lasts for years.
- Always put lens caps on when the telescope is not in use. This protects the optics from dust and moisture.
- Store it in a dry place. Avoid attics or damp basements.
- If you need to clean the lens or mirror, use extreme caution. Use a rocket blower to remove dust first. If you must wipe, use lens tissue and special optical cleaner, not household products. Never touch the optical surface with your fingers.
- For the finderscope and eyepieces, you can gently clean the exposed glass with the same method.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Things don’t always go smoothly. Here are some common issues and fixes.
I Can’t See Anything Through the Eyepiece
Check that all lens caps are removed, including the one on the finderscope. Ensure the eyepiece is fully inserted into the focuser. Make sure you’re not pointing at a blank patch of sky—start with the Moon. Check the focus; turn the knob through its full range slowly.
The Image is Too Blurry
This is usually a focusing issue. Turn the knob more slowly. If it’s still blurry, your telescope might not have cooled down enough. Also, very high magnification on a shaky night will always look blurry. Try a lower-power eyepiece.
I Can’t Find Objects with the Finderscope
Your finderscope is probably not aligned. Go back and do the daytime alignment procedure again. It’s easy for it to get knocked out of alignment during transport.
The Mount is Too Stiff or Too Loose
Most mounts have tension adjustment knobs. These are different from the lock knobs. Adjust them until the telescope moves smoothly but stays put when you let go.
Taking Your Skills Further
Once you’re comfortable, you can try more challenging objects. Star charts and mobile apps like Stellarium or SkySafari are invaluable. They show you what’s up in your sky on any given night. You can also look for local astronomy clubs. They often have star parties where you can look through other telescopes and get advice.
Remember, astronomy is a hobby of patience. Some nights the view will be crystal clear, other nights it will be fuzzy. The key is to get outside and practice. The more you use your Tasco telescope, the more intuitive it will become.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I set up my Tasco telescope for the first time?
Start by assembling the tripod on level ground. Then attach the mount head, and finally secure the optical tube. Do a daytime alignment of the finderscope before you try to use it at night. Always refer to your specific model’s manual.
Why can’t I see anything when I look through my telescope?
The most common reasons are lens caps left on, the finderscope being badly misaligned, or trying to use too high a magnification first. Ensure all caps are off, realign your finderscope in daylight, and always start with your lowest-power (highest mm number) eyepiece to find targets.
What can I see with a basic Tasco telescope?
You can see a tremendous amount! The Moon’s craters, Jupiter’s moons and cloud bands, Saturn’s rings, the Orion Nebula, star clusters like the Pleiades, and double stars. Light pollution will affect how well you see faint galaxies and nebulae.
How do I clean my Tasco telescope lenses?
Be very careful. First, use a bulb blower to remove loose dust. If smudges remain, use a drop of specialized lens cleaner on a lens tissue—not a cloth or paper towel. Gently wipe from the center outward. Avoid touching the glass surface directly with your fingers.
What do the numbers on my eyepieces mean?
The number (e.g., 20mm) is the focal length. A higher number means lower magnification and a wider, brighter view. A lower number means higher magnification but a dimmer, narrower view. Always begin observing with your highest mm eyepiece.
My telescope mount is wobbly, what should I do?
First, make sure all tripod leg locks and mounting bolts are tightened securely. Don’t extend the tripod legs all the way if you don’t need to; shorter legs are more stable. Also, ensure the telescope is balanced in its mount and that any tension adjustment knobs are set properly—they shouldn’t be too loose or too tight.