How To Use A Bushnell Reflector Telescope

Bushnell reflector telescopes provide breathtaking views of the night sky. Based on Isaac Newton's original design, Newtonian reflectors use a two-mirror optical system to gather light and direct it to a magnifying eyepiece. Bushnell includes a tripod, finder scope, two magnifying eyepieces and a Barlow lens with its reflector telescopes. The low-power eyepiece works best when observing large, extended objects, such as star clusters and galaxies. Use the high-power eyepiece when observing the moon and planets.

Step 1

Lay the tripod on the ground. Loosen the thumb screws on each leg, and extend all three legs to a comfortable viewing height. Tighten the thumb screws on each leg after verifying that you extended each leg the same height.

Step 2

Stand the tripod upright on a flat, level surface. Loosen the retaining clamps on the tripod mount. Attach the telescope to the mount and tighten the retaining clamps to secure it in place.

Step 3

Attach the finder scope to the telescope tube. Insert the finder into the finder scope mounting bracket and tighten the thumb screws.

Step 4

Aim the telescope at a bright object, such as the moon or a star. Look through the finder scope and adjust the height and direction of the telescope to center the object into the finder scope.

Step 5

Insert the low-power eyepiece into the telescope's focuser. Look through the eyepiece. Turn the focus knob on the focuser to sharpen the image.

Step 6

Align the finder scope if the object is centered in the finder scope but not the telescope's eyepiece. Center the object in the eyepiece and adjust the finder scope's adjustment screw to center the object in the finder scope's crosshairs.

Step 7

Remove the low-power eyepiece and insert the high-power eyepiece to increase the magnifying power of the telescope. Insert the Barlow lens between the focuser and the eyepiece to further multiply the magnifying power.