How to Use a Telescope
A telescope is a piece of technology that allows us to take a peek at the heavens we’d never be able to see by just using the naked eye. Make the most out of your telescope by learning how to use it properly, and learning which features you should look out for. Here’s how.
Types of Telescopes
Assuming that you are not using the Hubble telescope, people typically use three kind of telescopes. They are:
The Reflector telescope. Also known as a Newtonian, this has a large mirror at the back of the telescope to pool the light. It uses the mirrors to reflect on each other to form an image.
The Refracting telescope. This uses a lens in the front of the telescope to gather the light. This telescope is easier to use and adjust, also recommended for beginners.
Catadioptrics telescope. A combination of the first two telescopes mentioned.
Aperture
You may be a little confused about the difference of magnification and aperture, but rule of thumb is: Aperture is more important. Aperture refers to the hole where the light passes through. For a telescope, this means that the wider the diameter of the main lens at the front of the telescope, the more light can pass. The more light that passes through, the clearer and brighter the images will be.
Telescope Mounts
When choosing a telescope, you have to choose a mount where to rest it on. There are two:
Altazimuth (pronounced as “alt-az”) is a mount that allows your telescope up and down, right to left. Simple and inexpensive, most beginners are recommended to use this.
The Equatorial mount allows your telescope to move on two axes (left-right and up-down simultaneously), but one axes is fixed to point towards the North Star.
Preparations
Learn more about the sky before even using your telescope. You can check online, your local library and even your old science textbooks for more information. They are all easy to access and completely without charge.
Scope out your backyard to find a place where you can set up your telescope. Preferably, the spot should have no strong lights nearby, no interfering skyline, electric posts, treetops or anything that can get in your view. At least have a spot that has a good, broad patch of night sky. Don’t use your telescopes from a window or through a window.
Knowing the weather beforehand is also useful. Do not use the telescope when it is windy, cloudy or rainy.
Set up your telescope 30 minutes before you plan on using it, typically on a grassy area, to allow the temperature to equalize.
Get acquainted with your telescope before using it by reading the manual. No use fumbling about in the evening. HOWEVER, do not use your telescope to look directly at the sun as this may cause serious damage to your vision.
Setting Up the Telescope
Once you’ve found the perfect spot, it’s time to set up the telescope. Here’s how
The telescope should be placed on flat ground, with all the tripod legs fully extended.
Align the telescope mount properly. Locate the right ascension axis and adjust it to point to the North Star by turning and adjusting the latitude adjustment knob. Find the North Star through the eyepiece, and once you see it, tighten the latitude lock knob. Tilt the telescope in such a way that the declimation axis is on the star or object that you are trying to see or track.
Next up is aligning the finder scope. This involves some precision work as as the finder scope and the telescope must be aligned to point on exactly the same spot. Insert the lowest power eyepiece and then point it to a bright planet or easier still, the moon. As soon as you centered in the eyepiece, lock it in. Loosen the three thumscrews holding the finderscope and look through the eyepiece. It should have a cross hair or a “+” in the midde. Make the planet align with the intersection of the cross hair and re-tighten the screws to hold the finderscope in place.