How to Use a 114mm Telescope

How to Use a 114mm Telescope

• 1

  Bring your telescope outside one hour before you intend to use it. Remove the lens caps and mirror covers. This allows the telescope, including the lenses and mirrors, to acclimate to the current temperature and weather conditions.

• 2

  Align the telescope. How you align the telescope will depend on which mount you have. For a clock-mount, go to step 3. For a go-to mount, go to step 4.

• 3

  Align the telescope mount with Polaris, otherwise known as the North Star. With the telescope pointing to Polaris, your setting circles are set at zero. Your mount, now, is aligned with the earth's rotation in relation to your location.

• 4

  Enter the GPS coordinates of your location into your go-to mount, including date and time. Align your telescope with two stars, for example, Polaris and Beetlejuice. Starting with Polaris, point your telescope to that star. Enter into the go-to mount's computer (how data is entered is dependent on the manufacturer of your telescope) that the telescope is now pointing at Polaris. Repeat the process for Beetlejuice. This allows the go-to mount to locate all other known points in the sky.

• 5

  Select the eyepiece after you have aligned your mount. Using a lower powered eyepiece to start with is recommended, as this will give the widest field of view. Place the eyepiece in the focuser of the telescope.

• 6

  Turn the telescope toward an object in the sky, for example, the moon. Adjust for focus and, if desired, try out different eyepieces.

• 7

  Use your mount to locate different stars and planets in the sky. If using a clock-mount, turn your telescope to the object of your choice. Because you aligned your clock mount already, your telescope will track, throughout the night, any object you point the telescope at. For example, if you find Saturn with your telescope, and then come back an hour later, Saturn will still be visible in your telescope.

• 8

  Enter the planet or star of your choice if using a go-to mount. Most manufacturers supply a menu within the mount for you to select from. Make your selection and the telescope will find the location of that object.

• 9

  Gaze at the night sky through the eyepiece. A 114mm telescope should allow you to see such celestial sights as the rings of Saturn, the bands of Jupiter or track the movements of the moons of Jupiter.