How to Use a Meade Telescope

Locate a dark site away from streetlights, porch lights and other sources of light pollution. Artificial light reduces the contrast of the night sky and makes distant objects such as galaxies and nebulae harder to see.

Extend the legs on the tripod to a comfortable viewing height. Tighten the locking screws on each leg to ensure the tripod remains stable throughout your observing session. Stand the tripod upright and check that the legs are level and equal in height.

Attach the telescope to the tripod by sliding its mounting bracket into the tripod's mount. Tighten the locking screws on the mount to secure the telescope.

Pick your first astronomical target. If you have never used a telescope before, begin with the moon. It's bright, easy to find and displays a wealth of detail through a telescope. Locating more distant objects such as galaxies and nebulae requires the use of detailed sky charts.

Aim the telescope at the target. Look at the target through the telescope's finder. Center the object in the field of view by moving the telescope up or down, and left or right.

Insert a low-power eyepiece into the focuser to observe the object at low magnification. Low-power eyepieces typically have a focal length between 20 and 40mm. Eyepiece manufacturers print the focal length on the barrel, so examine the eyepiece to identify its focal length.

Insert a medium- to high-power eyepiece to observe the object at higher magnification. Medium-power eyepieces have a focal length between 10 and 20mm, while high-power eyepieces measure less than 10mm.