Observing - Meade RB-60 Instruction Manual

library and read some books about the stars
and planets. Read about astronomers of
old. Many of them had telescope no bigger
than the one you are using right now.
Galileo, who is one of the first astronomers
to use a telescope, discovered four of the
moons of Jupiter with a telescope about the
same size as yours (and his didn't even
focus very well!).

OBSERVING

Observe during the daytime: Try out your
telescope during the daytime at first. It is
easier to learn how it operates and how to
observe when it is light.
Pick out an easy object to observe: A distant
mountain, a large tree, a lighthouse or
skyscraper make excellent targets. Point the
optical tube so it lines up with your object.
Unlock the lock knobs: To move the
telescope, you will need to unlock the
horizontal lock knob (6) and vertical locking
lever(5) (just rotate to unlock or lock; when
locking, only tighten to a "firm feel," do not
overtighten).
Looking at or near the Sun will cause irreversible damage to your eye. Do not point this telescope at or near the Sun. Do not look through the telescope as it is moving.
S S U U N N W W A A R R N N I I N N G G
NEVER USE YOUR TELESCOPE
TO LOOK AT THE SUN!
LOOKING AT OR NEAR THE SUN WILL CAUSE
INSTANT AND IRREVERSIBLE DAMAGE TO YOUR
EYE. EYE DAMAGE IS OFTEN PAINLESS, SO THERE
IS NO WARNING TO THE OBSERVER THAT DAMAGE
HAS OCCURRED UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE. DO NOT
POINT THE TELESCOPE OR ITS VIEWFINDER AT OR
NEAR THE SUN. DO NOT LOOK THROUGH THE
TELESCOPE OR ITS VIEWFINDER AS IT IS MOVING.
CHILDREN SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE ADULT
SUPERVISION WHILE OBSERVING.
Use the red dot viewfinder: If you have not
done so, align the viewfinder (2) with the
telescope's eyepiece (1) as described earlier.
Look through the viewfinder until you can
see the object. It will be easier to locate an
object using the viewfinder rather than
locating with the eyepiece. Line up the object
with the viewfinders red dot.
Look through the eyepiece: Once you have
the object lined up in the viewfinder, look
through the optical tube's eyepiece. If you
have aligned your viewfinder, you will you
see the object in your eyepiece.
Focus: Look through the eyepiece and
practice focusing on the object you
have chosen.
Try out the slow motion adjustment
controls: Practice using the slow motion
controls (12 and 16) to move the telescope.
These can come in very handy, especially
when you wish to move the telescope in very
small (fine control) steps.
Observe the Moon: When you feel
comfortable with the viewfinder, the
eyepieces, the locks and the adjustment
controls, you will be ready to try out the
telescope at night. The Moon is the best
object to observe the first time you go out at
night. Pick a night when the Moon is a
THE MEADE 4M COMMUNITY
You haven't just bought a telescope, you have embarked
on an astronomy adventure that never ends. Share the
journey with others by accepting your free membership
in the 4M community of astronomers.
Go to www.Meade4M.org to activate your membership
today.
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