finderscope

missymom · Guest

i just purchased a new telescope that has a red dot finder scope,i have never used one and find it difficult to use,also do the tripod legs need to be extended to their fullest to make callibration more accurate,how do you use the finderscope if you are looking at something high in the sky and the telescope is pointed way skyward..would appreciate any help you can give with this..thank you all in advance Confused

AstroBoy · Guest

If your red dot finderscope is working, it should be even easier to use than a standard finderscope.

What are you having trouble with?

A finderscope is just a small scope with a wide field of view. When calibrated properly, an object centered in the finderscope will also be centered in the main telescope. Because the finderscope has a wide field of view and lower magnification, it makes it easier to locate objects in the sky than by trying to use the main telescope. Most finderscopes give you around the same view you would get just by looking with the naked eye. If you can see it with your eye, you should easily be able to see it in the finderscope.

A red dot finderscope superimposes a tightly-focused red laser dot at the center of the field of view to help you accurately locate the center. Typically the brightness can be adjusted, so if you don't see the dot, or the dot is too bright, look for an adjusting knob to set it as desired.

If you have the telescope pointed way skyward, you'll probably have to extend the tripod legs all the way *and* crouch down to look through the finderscope, but you only need to do that when sighting. Once you've got the object in the main eyepiece, you're done with the finderscope--and if you forget to turn off the red dot, you'll be done with your battery as well Smile