How to Use your New Telescope for Best Results

Feeling frustrated with your first telescope? Don't know how to get the best out of your first telescope? In this article, I will give you my tips that I have learnt in the last decade with Astronomy.

::: Knowing the Strengths and Weaknesses of Your Telescope :::
Knowing the good points about your astronomy telescope will help you use your astronomy telescope much better. For example a really heavy astronomy telescope may not be good enough to move around much, as I found with my second astronomy telescope, however the benefit was that the stability of the mount, meant that it was pretty good at keeping steady when looking at objects. Whereas a small astronomy telescope which may have been purchased at a local toy store may not be steady enough for viewing the heavens outside, especially if it is windy outside.

::: Knowing the Heavens :::
I am about the give you some of the greatest advice I can give you. And that is to know the heavens! When I was young, I wanted to get the best astronomy telescope I could. My first telescope was not the best astronomy telescope and in fact couldn't show me anything more than the moon.

Later I found when I purchased a much better astronomy telescope years after, that there was a major situation. Yes, I had the best astronomy telescope, at least compared to my first telescope, but I found a dilemma with being able to find nebula and galaxies.

Looking back I think first learning where things where in the heavens, would have made a much better start in astronomy. Your first telescope may not have a comprehensive manual on how to find objects in the heavens. The best book that helped me learn exactly how to find things in space was Turn Left At Orion.

::: Telescope Care :::
A astronomy telescope is a great instrument. Your first telescope is always an important one - it is your gateway to astronomy, and usually your first glimpse at seeing what the beauty of the universe contains. Your first telescope must be taken care off, if you are to get the best out of your astronomy telescope.

Ways you can keep care of your astronomy telescope is to put protectors back on astronomy telescope lenses when you finish. If you have a metal astronomy telescope which you keep outside, make sure you put it inside when finished. It is far too easy after spending a few hours outside to say I will bring it in tomorrow! Rain may fall on your astronomy telescope which could cause rust, which is not what you want. The best thing you can do, if you must leave the astronomy telescope out is put a plastic cover on the astronomy telescope to protect it. Another tip is to put Vaseline on the astronomy telescope mount and joints so it can be protected from the rain.

Always make sure optics are brought inside as if rain get on them they can easily get damaged. Same as the main astronomy telescope tube if possible. You may also need to clean the mirror if you have a reflecting astronomy telescope, and should always take care to clean the mirror in accordance with the astronomy telescope manuals suggestions.

::: Getting the Best in Astronomy :::
More you learn about where to find objects in space, more you will get enjoyment out of your astronomy telescope. Astronomy is a fantastic hobby, and one which can never get exhausted, especially with 70,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 stars in space (at current counts)!