Getting Started

• Adjusting the finder scope is paramount. Do this during the day. Focus on a far away object with the low power eyepiece. Center the object in the eyepiece. Once you've done that you should lock the telescope on the tripod. Go outside and allow your eyes to become adjusted to the dark. This can take 30 minutes. Be patient and wait before trying to observe. You can use a red light to see around your telescope. Red light is easier on your eyes in the dark.
  
  

Start Observing

• Start observing with the low-power eyepiece. It's marked with the largest number. Look out of the corner of your eye and find the moon or a star. You'll find the lower-power eyepiece gives you brighter and sharper results. The corner of your eye is more light sensitive. Don't magnify too much to begin with as that will help you avoid fuzzy, dark images.
  
  

Master the Basics

• Find the moon and then a planet. Go slowly as galaxies can wait until you've mastered the basics. You will not get the same kind of results you see in magazines while stargazing in your yard in the suburbs. The photographs in the magazines are taken with time-delayed cameras. But you will have fun
  
  

Things to Look Out For

• Open dirt or grassy areas are best to observe from. They don't radiate as much heat as concrete, so don't distort the image.