DOs & DON'Ts of Telescope Handling

Take good care of all equipment provided to you.  It is expensive and delicate Damaged telescopes take time to repair and will affect your classmates in other sections. You will be using the equipment for the whole semester.

Handle the telescope gently at all times and it will serve you well.

DO:

• be sure the telescope is firmly attached to the wedge (i.e., DO NOT drop the telescope)
• place eyepieces and tools in appropriate compartments
• be sure the star diagonal and eyepiece are firmly attached to the telescope
• loosen sets crews before rotating star diagonal or changing eyepiece.  Beware of falling parts!
• be sure aperture cover is firmly attached to the telescope before returning it to the storage room
• check that all parts/accessories are accounted for (including flashlights)

DON'T:

• over tighten the RA clamp
• turn RA fine adjustment knob while RA clamp is tightened
• turn the Dec. fine adjustment knob beyond its limit
• move telescope while RA and Dec. clamps are tightened
• touch any glass surface (telescope aperture or eyepiece lenses)
• grab the telescope by the star diagonal, visual back, eyepiece or finderscope when pointing it

GOOD ADVICE

• Keep the box of parts and your own stuff on the ground, near the barrel and not under your feet.  Keep the telescope caps on top of the barrel, under the wedge (i.e. out of your way).
• When not using a part, put it back in the box or on the barrel top. You will know where to find it (this is important when working in the dark).

A clipboard might be convenient for outdoor labs.

Use pencils, not pens when writing/sketching in your log.