How to Operate a Reflecting Telescope

Choose a proper viewing spot. When using a telescope, it is important to be aware of light pollution. City lights create light pollution and it lessens the visibility of stars and other objects in the sky. To properly operate a reflecting telescope, you should choose an area with little to no light pollution. This will maximize the powers of your reflecting telescope. You should also consider what time of year you are viewing the sky. Constellations change their position in the sky due to the earth's position in space. At night, the earth is facing a different area of stars in the winter as opposed to the summer. If you are looking for a certain constellation, you may need to wait until it is viewable in the sky.

Connect and setup your tripod. Screw the tripod baseplate onto the bottom of your telescope by turning the baseplate clockwise until it is snug against the bottom of the tripod. Next, stand the legs of the tripod up and widen them to so they are stable. Then slide the tripod baseplate connected to your telescope onto your tripod legs and, using the locking lever, lock the baseplate into place.

Adjust the axis. Your reflecting telescope has several components. The first piece is the axis, which is located at the top of the tripod just below the tripod baseplate. The axis has a locking lever that you can loosen or tighten. Loosening the axis will allow you to adjust the tripod up and down, to the left, and to the right. This will then allow you to aim the telescope towards certain parts of the sky.

Adjust the eyepiece. Some reflecting telescopes have alternate eyepieces that have different magnification levels. Most alternate eyepieces are connected to a rotating lens fixture connected to the end of the eyepiece. You can adjust this lens fixture by rotating the lenses until they sit snuggly on top of the eyepiece. Use a different magnification level will change the amount of the sky you are able to view. Using a more magnified lens will enlarge a small area of the sky. Using a less magnified lens will zoom out so you are able to see more sky.

Adjust your focus. On the side of your reflecting telescope is a knob known as the focus knob. Depending on your eyesight, you will need to turn this knob in order to bring the image in the telescope into focus. Place your eye properly on the eyepiece. If you press your eye too close to the eyepiece, your eyelashes will make it difficult to see.