How to put together 60EQ-SD telescope

alignment of the optics are critical. refractor telescopes refract light linearly as opposed to reflector scopes, which bounce light from mirror to mirror.

Sounds like you may have an obstruction blocking the passage of light.

There isn't a used telescope store anywhere, you can try posting on Craigslist. I have bought a couple used telescopes there for about half of retail cost. The TeleStar 60EQ sells for around $60 new, so you can expect $30 to $40 if you post an online ad.

There are 3 types of telescopes --- see this web site:

http://texasastro.org/telescope.php

and two types of mounts--

Altitude- Azimuth and Equatorial
http://texasastro.org/mounts.php

You must be more specific as to the type and the mount.

You bought a small refractor on an EQUATORIAL mount if it is like the picture above on the question.

These mounts must be polar aligned in order to work, NOT something that a child would be able to do. Read my Equatorial Mount TIP on my profile page. You will probably return the scope after you read it.

Yes they are called "erecting diagonal" like this one:

http://www.telescope.com/control/accessories/telescope-diagonals/1*25-inch-45-deg-orion-correct-image-prism-telescope-diagonal

All of the Meade manuals are located on this web site.
http://www.meade.com/manuals/index.html


Maybe it's this one?
http://www.meade.com/manuals/TelescopeManuals/Refractors/NG-NGC%20manual.pdf

Look around the page under the REFRACTOR heading.

This is a small 60mm refractor, on an equatorial mount. Sure wish you had NOT bought this scope.

First it is only 60mm about the same size as a pair of 10x50mm binoculars. You would be able to see and find more sky objects with the binoculars.

Second it is on an equatorial mount, which must be polar aligned in order to work properly. So you will need to line up the axis of the mount onto the star Polaris. You can read my TIPS on my profile page to learn how to do this.

They all go together in a similar fashion. Here is a very similar Meade telescope manual that you can use to help you assemble it:
http://www.meade.com/manuals/m285/index.html

and read this also:
http://www.texasastro.org/telescope.php

Here is a link to a Meade telescope similar to your telescope. They all go together pretty much the same way.

http://www.meade.com/manuals/m285/index.html

You apparently have a refractor on an equatorial mount. You must learn how to POLAR ALIGN the telescope on Polaris to use the telescope. I do not recommend equatorial mounts to beginners.

Read this:
http://www.astromax.org/faq/p-align.htm

Here is Meade's manual web page. Find your telescope on the page:
http://www.meade.com/manuals/index.html

Here is the manual for your telescope-- it includes operating instructions-

http://www.meade.com/manuals/TelescopeManuals/Polaris/Polaris60AZ_AR.pdf