Your first telescope session should focus on easy targets like the Moon and planets. Using low magnification and keeping the setup simple ensures a successful and enjoyable first experience.
Step-by-Step Setup
Setup Telescope
Setting up is an exciting step on your first night out with your telescope. If you’re still looking for your first telescope, don’t worry, our Best Telescope for Beginners guide has you covered! Check it out today to begin your astro journey!
Most telescopes have three main components: the telescope body, also known as an optical tube or OTA for short, a mount, and a tripod. Setting up is as simple as connecting the components. Grab your manual and follow along with each step below:
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Begin by assembling the tripod and placing it on a level surface.
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Next, attach the mount to the tripod. If your mount comes pre-assembled and is already attached to the tripod, move on to the next step.
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Finally, secure your telescope to the mount. For most beginner telescopes, this step requires locking the dovetail bar on the bottom of the optical tube into the matching slot on the mount or securing the optical tube to the mount with a set of tube rings. Be sure to check your telescope’s user manual for more detailed assembly instructions.
Align Finder
After setting up your telescope, the next step is aligning the finder. Most telescopes come with either a red dot finder or a small finder scope. Most telescope finders have two to three adjustment knobs. If you are using a common red dot finder, one of these knobs will be the power and brightness control switch. The other knobs are used to adjust the position of the red dot. Aligning the finder takes a little patience, but you usually only have to make minor adjustments, if any at all, after your first alignment. Keep in mind it’s best to complete this step while there’s still enough light outside to see your surroundings.
Once you have your finder in place, follow along with the steps below to align your finder!
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First, locate a large nearby object that’s easy to identify. Once you locate a good target, point the telescope at the object and center the view through the eyepiece on a feature that really stands out.
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Next, with the telescope still aimed at the same object, look through the finder and check if the red dot is centered on the same feature of the object you took note of in the previous step. If the object isn’t centered, you’ll first need to use the adjustment knobs to align the finder.
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Working in very small steps, rotate the first knob until the reticle or red dot is closer to the object. Repeat this process with each adjustment knob while being careful to work in small steps. Keep in mind some knobs may need more adjusting than others.
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Once you feel the finder and telescope are fairly well aligned, use the finder to locate another object in your surroundings that’s easy to identify, then double check through the eyepiece to make sure the object is centered in the view. If the object isn’t visible or is significantly off center, then go back and repeat the previous steps. The alignment doesn’t need to be perfect, so don’t worry if the object is only slightly off center.
Choose First Target
After setting up and aligning your finder, the next step is choosing your first target. Typically, you’ll want to start with a target that’s easy to identify, such as the Moon. However, since the Moon moves around so much, it’s not always an option for your first target. Other targets you might start your viewing session with include Jupiter, Saturn, and the Orion Nebulae. For more information on what you can see with your telescope, check out our What Can You Actually See with a Telescope? article.
Best First Targets
Moon
The Moon is one of the best targets to help you get started due to its size and brightness making it easy to spot. Most beginner telescopes will have no trouble resolving the highly-detailed lunar surface.
Keep in mind you won’t always be able to view the Moon. During the 29.5 lunar cycle, the Moon rises and sets at different times, and during the New Moon phase, you won’t be able to see it at all!
If you want to learn more about the Moon, check out this Beginner’s Guide to the Moon.
We suggest using a long focal length refractor for viewing the Moon. These telescopes are great for providing higher contrast on bright and compact celestial objects. Apertures of 2.3” to 4” (60 mm-100 mm) would work great for viewing our closest celestial neighbor.
Additionally, if you are looking for a larger aperture option, you can look into using a Dobsonian, which is great for detailed views of the lunar surface, such as viewing maria, craters, and mountain ranges.
Jupiter
Jupiter is another excellent object to view when you first start out. Given its brightness and steady shine, it’s usually easy to pick out in the night sky.
On especially clear nights, with good seeing conditions, Jupiter and its four brightest moons are truly a sight to behold.
Even with the 2.3” to 4” longer focal length refractor we recommend to use with the Moon, you’ll be able to see the distinct cloud bands stretching across the surface, and if the timing is right, you’ll even be able to see the Giant Red Spot.
Another great option for resolving the details on Jupiter is to try out a 4” Dobsonian telescope and take in the sights of the planet’s surface, such as the Big Red Spot.
Saturn
Saturn is one target that most people want to view on their first night with a telescope. While slightly more challenging to locate than Jupiter and the Moon, Saturn’s distinct shape and steady brightness across a range of sky conditions make it another great target for your first viewing session.
Saturn is another bright and compact celestial object, making longer focal length refractors in the 2.3” to 4” range ideal to get high-contrast views of this planet and its rings.
If you are using a Dobsonian, you will need at least 4” of aperture. We recommend using a 6” Dobsonian to get the most out of your observation session.
Best Beginner Targets
|
Target |
Difficulty Rating |
What to Expect |
|
The Moon |
Easy |
A luminous sphere decorated with craters, valleys, marias, and many unique features. |
|
Jupiter |
Easy |
A bright glowing disk with varied pale yellow and white bands. Sometimes accompanied by a dark spot. |
|
The Orion Nebula (M42) |
Moderate |
Misty blue and teal clouds forming a wing-like structure around a bright field of stars. |
|
Saturn |
Moderate |
A pale dot framed with two distinct bumps on either side, which are the planet's famous rings. |
Common Problems
Blurry Image
If you are getting blurry views through your telescope, it’s likely you need to adjust the focus. If you are having trouble, follow these steps to see if you can reach focus:
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Using the finder, locate and point the telescope towards a bright star.
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Put a low power eyepiece, such as a 25 mm eyepiece, into the focuser. If your telescope is out of focus, you likely won’t see any stars, but you should be able to see a large disk of light when pointed at a bright star.
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Once you see the bright disk in the eyepiece, rotate the focusing knob and note whether the disk gets bigger or smaller. If the disk gets bigger, rotate the other direction, if it gets smaller, continue rotating until the orb becomes a pin-point of light. Keep in mind you might need to make small adjustments to your telescope while focusing to keep the bright star in your field of view.
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If the above step doesn’t work, you can try focusing a nearby street lamp, or other bright objects in your surroundings to verify whether the focuser works.
Other reasons why your telescope is producing blurry images include dew build up on the optics, poorly collimated (aligned) optics, and debris build up on primary mirror or lens.
Dew build up happens when the temperature of the lens surface is lower than the air’s dew point. To combat this, we recommend looking into dew prevention accessories, such as a dew shield or dew heater that fits around the front of your optics. While not always the case, a lot of refractors come with a dew shield as part of the package. Check your particular telescope to see if this is the case.
Poorly aligned optics can also cause problems with the quality of the views. Refractors are generally low-maintenance and do not require user collimation (the act of aligning your optics). This is not the case for Newtonians, however. Newtonians require collimation to keep the optics aligned. With practice, collimation can be straightforward, and a telescope does not have to have a technically perfect collimation to see good views of the night sky. Don't let small deviations stop you from observing.
When buying a telescope, it’s important to consider how to clean your optics. To prevent damage, such as scratches, to your telescope lenses or mirrors, we suggest using gentle cleaning tools, such as lens pens, bulb blowers, and microfiber cloths to help remove dust and debris.
Can't Find Objects
There are a couple reasons why you might not be able to find the objects you are looking for on your first night out with a telescope.
First, verify your telescope is properly focused, and the stars appear as tiny pin-points of light. Next, make sure to use the telescope's finder to locate targets.
If you can find the object in the finder, but it doesn’t appear in the eyepiece, it’s likely you need to go back and align your finder with your eyepiece.
Finally, it might be that the target you are looking for is not currently above the horizon. Most deep sky objects have a viewing season, and other objects, such as our Moon, or the planets have viewing windows that change throughout the year.
Star charts, planispheres, and apps such as Stellarium are good ways to see what’s available during your observation and a rough idea of where to point your telescope to view various objects.
Shaky Mount
A shaky telescope tripod or mount can make it challenging to track and focus on objects in the night sky. While some tripods are better than others when it comes to vibration control, there are ways to reduce the shakiness of any tripod.
First, check the tripod, mount, and telescope for loose connections. If your tripod has a detachable accessory tray, make sure you attach this component, as it often doubles as a tripod spreader to support and stabilize the tripod.
If you are still seeing a lot of vibration, try setting the tripod on a slightly softer surface, such as grass or sand. If you don’t have access to a grassy or sandy area, you can try using a set of vibration suppression pads.
It’s important to note that cost and quality often correspond. Higher-quality mounts come with a higher price tag, however, they can make the difference between a successful and rewarding observation and a disappointing one.
First Night Troubleshooting
|
Problem |
Cause |
Fix |
|
Blurry image |
- Out of focus - Moisture on the optics |
- Double check focus - Use dew shield or dew strips |
|
Can’t see object |
- Finder not aligned |
- Align the finder |
|
Shaky mount & tripod |
- Loose connections - Placed on hard surface |
- Double check connection - Place on soft ground - Use vibration suppression pads |
|
Can’t reach clear focus (Newtonian & SCTs) |
- Poorly collimated optics |
- Check collimation using a laser collimator, Cheshire collimation cap, or bright star |
Tips for Success
Use Low Magnification
On your first night out with your telescope, you’ll want to start out using a low power eyepiece, such as a 25 mm eyepiece. Low power eyepieces provide lower magnification views, and when viewing at lower magnifications, it’s easier to locate and track objects across the night. Once you’ve found the object you want to view, then you can begin to change magnifications to help you find your preferred view of the object.
Keep in mind that high magnifications can potentially decrease the quality of your view. This is why cheaper telescopes that boast high magnifications are not the best option for a first telescope. Always focus on aperture, which dictates light-gathering power first, and then couple that with a lower-magnification eyepiece to learn your way around the night sky.
Be Patient
It’s completely normal to run into some hiccups on your first night out with a telescope. Tracking objects across the night sky isn’t always easy at first, and learning how to operate your telescope often requires practice.
If you find yourself struggling, remember to slow down, take a breath, and be patient. If you can’t find the object you are looking for, return to a target you previously viewed or look for a larger and brighter object like the Moon. Use these targets to practice the motions of locating and centering an object in your eyepiece.
Once you feel comfortable operating the telescope, give the more challenging target another go!
Observe from Darker Skies
A great way to boost your views through your telescope is to head out to the darkest skies you can find. Light pollution interferes with your views, making it much more challenging to view deep sky objects, such as nebulae and galaxies. When viewing under dark skies, the cosmos comes to life, showing more of its hidden treasures and breathtaking sights.
We recommend looking at the Bortle rating of your location. The Bortle Scale consists of nine levels of measured darkness in a location, taking into account environment and light pollution. The lower the number on the Bortle scale, the darker the skies. For example, you’ll have a much more successful observation under Bortle 1 skies than you would under Bortle 8 skies.
Further set yourself up for success by reading our Best Telescopes for Beginners article to see which telescope works best for certain targets!
FAQ
Why is my telescope blurry?
If the views through your telescope are blurry, it’s likely you need to adjust the focus. Other reasons why your telescope is producing blurry images include:
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Dew build up on the optics
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Poorly collimated (aligned) optics
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Dust and debris on the primary mirror or lens
What should I look at first?
Some of the best objects to check out on your first night out with a telescope include the Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, and the Orion Nebula.
If you want to learn more about the types of objects you can view with a beginner telescope, check out our comprehensive guide covering What Can You See with a Telescope.
Why can't I find anything?
If you are having trouble finding objects in the night sky, you’ll want to first verify your telescope is properly focused.
Once you’ve properly focused and the stars appear tiny pin-points of light, you’ll want to use the telescope's finder scope or red dot finder to aim and position the telescope.
If you can find the object in the finder, but it doesn’t appear in the eyepiece, it’s likely you need to go back and align your finder with your eyepiece.
About the Author
Since 1975, Orion Telescopes & Binoculars have been pointing aspiring astronomers in the right direction to realize their potential within the astronomy community. That’s over 50 years of introducing and fostering the amateur astronomy community with state-of-the-art equipment and the support they need to realize the goal of exploring the cosmos through visual observation and astrophotography. With Orion, you can trust the experts are ready to help, no matter which part of the astronomy journey you’re on.
