If you have not heard of them before, Gskyer telescopes are a popular brand. For astronomy, they are a good choice for beginners.
If you own one, you might want to know how to use it. This is especially so if you have never used a telescope.
Because of the amount of confusion for new users of Gskyer telescopes, we have put this guide together. We break it down to the basics so you can get the best from your telescope.
So if you have a Gskyer telescope and wish to how to use it, keep reading!
What Is A Gskyer Telescope?
As mentioned in the introduction, Gskyer telescopes are one of the most popular brands of telescopes in the world.
Because of this, they are a very accessible option, and they are available to purchase wherever you are located. It is worth appreciating how good the quality of these telescopes is for an accessible, beginner-friendly option.
For example, they have replaceable eyepieces, which are uncommon for cheaper telescopes.
However, it is worth noting that these are unsuitable for professional use. They do not have the premium features a more expensive telescope would have.
How To Use A Gskyer Telescope
Now you know what a Gskyer telescope is and what they are most commonly used for, you should be ready to set it up. The first step to using a Gskyer telescope is assembly.
Assembly
If you have purchased your Gskyer telescope new, you should have an assembly guide included with it. The manual should give you all the steps needed to set it up.
If you do not have this guide, try finding the product name and then using a search engine to find a PDF of the instructions to use.
When assembling your telescope for the first time, you will want to do this in a well-lit room so you know what you are doing. As it can take longer than expected, we recommended doing this indoors.
Different Gskyer telescope models are assembled slightly differently. Because of this, it is worth knowing your model so you know how to assemble it.
If you can not find the product name or code, try and find information on the telescope.
A product code will be embossed somewhere. If you are having difficulty, check every part with a flashlight to see if you can find it. If still unable to determine the model try posting a picture on an active astronomy forum asking for help!
Practice Moving
After you have assembled your telescope and set it up on the mount, you can start practicing moving it.
Make sure before this step that you have the right type of mount. You should know what type of mount you are working with, for example, an alt-azimuth mount or an equatorial mount.
If you use an alt-azimuth mount, this can move up and down and then side to side. Alternatively, if you are using an equatorial mount, this can move celestial north-south and east-west. Equatorial mounts are more awkward to move but bring advantages if you continue your astronomy journey.
The assembly will be more involved if your telescope uses an equatorial mount. For details on how to set up an equatorial mount, see How to Setup a Telescope Equatorial Mount.
Moving your telescope can feel a little arduous at first, so we recommend starting slowly and being patient. Your telescope will become easier to control with practice. The initial practice is best done under controlled circumstances. Investing some time at this stage will pay dividends.
Magnification And Eyepieces
As we mentioned, one of the best things about Gskyer telescopes is that they come with interchnageable eyepieces.
If you are new to astronomy we highly recommend getting a telescope with a replaceable eyepiece (You might also want to check out What Is Arcsec?). This will give you flexability to explore all the options and determine what you prefer and what works best for you!
Generally speaking, your Gskyer telescope will come with two eyepieces you can switch out, which is a really good deal. However, this might not be the case for certain models or if you are buying second-hand.
The eyepiece works to collect, magnify and focus the light emitted by an astronomical object to allow viewing. Different designs of eyepieces do this in different ways.
The number on your eyepiece will represent the focal length. The higher the number, the lower the magnification power will be.
The higher the magnification power is, the larger the object will be. You will ideally want to opt for a telescope with an eyepiece with the lowest number possible to get the best magnification possible. However, be aware that every telescope has a magnification limit.
Viewfinder Type
Your viewfinder will either be an optical viewfinder or a red dot viewfinder. An optical viewfinder is attached to the main telescope using a finderscope bracket.
Finderscopes are small telescopes with a wide field of view. There is usually a crosshair in the middle to help center certain items. A finderscope must be aligned with the main telescope. For instructions on how to do this, see the relevant section in How to Setup a Telescope Equatorial Mount.
With a broad field, you will have a red dot finder. This finder does not use an eyepiece. Red dot finders reflect a bullseye onto a glass or plastic screen.
Summary – Finding Celestial Bodies
Now you know how your Gskyer telescope works, you can use it wherever you want.
It is a common misconception that you cannot use your Gskyer telescope during the day. If you use the right filters with your Gskyer telescope you can find celestial objects whenever and wherever you are, if the conditions permit.
It is worth researching what celestial phenomena you can see at certain times. You want to make sure that you are getting local information. What you can see varies wildly depending on your geographical location.
If you want to ensure the best view, once you know what you are looking for, you can research the best filters you can use to get the best view!
Hi, my name is Jason Anderson, and I am a Physics Professor. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been fascinated with space, the universe, the moon, you name it. I spent hours and hours at the planetarium close to my hometown, wondering what else could be out in the universe.
Since then, I’ve been an avid stargazer and astronomer, and love nothing more than spending my time charting stars, observing planets, and finding constellations.
This is why I decided to start Telescope Guru. I only wish to share this fun pastime with the world. With this site, I hope to answer all of your questions relating to astronomy, telescopes, and stargazing.
