How do i set up this telescope? - Meade 70AZ-A Telescope

Lorraine, join a club or get instruction book. An optical telescope which uses lenses is known as a refracting telescope or a refractor; one which uses a mirror is known as a reflecting telescope or a reflector. Besides optical telescopes, astronomers also use telescopes that focus radio waves, X-rays, and other forms of electromagnetic radiation.

Purpose of Telescope One Minute Astronomer

I believe this is a Bushnell telescope. All of the Bushnell manuals are on this web site.

http://www.opticsplanet.net/bushnell-warranty.html

Look down the page for your telescope model.

Measure the hole on the telescope diagonal. Eyepieces come in .965, 1.25, and 2 inch sizes.

Many on-line retailers sell them here is one:

http://agenaastro.com/

You will not find a manual for that small REFLECTOR style telescope. However the picture above-- that you show in your question shows the telescope mounted BACKWARDS actually pointed toward the ground!

Apparently FIXYA also does not know how to set up a reflector style telescope. The eyepiece and focuser end is on the UP end of the telescope with the mirror on the bottom end of the telescope.

Here is a manual for a MEADE brand telescope probably very similar to your telescope.

http://www.meade.com/manuals/TelescopeManuals/Reflectors/062002Jupiter114EQ-D.pdf

Read my TIPS on my profile page.

Is it like THIS telescope?
http://www.opticsplanet.net/konus-knonusmotor-130-telescope-1786.html

The focuser mechanism is at the FRONT end of the telescope. The Mirror is in the back-end or bottom of the telescope. This scope is on an equitorial mount, which means it must be POLAR ALIGNED in order to work. You can get a rough polar alignment by using the star Polaris (the North star).

We never recommend an EQ mount to beginners. Polar alignment introduces an additional beginner frustration with using the telescope. Read these web sites to get an idea of polar aligning a telescope.

Their are TWO knobs on the telescope that control Right Ascention and Declination movement. Declination IS your latitude, so the angle must be set to where you live. I am at latitude 32 degrees N --- so the angle is 32 degrees, which is where Polaris is above the horizon.

Read these:
http://www.tucsonastronomy.org/observing-resources/Polar%20Alignment.pdf

http://www.astronomy.net/articles/4/polaralign.html

Never heard of that telescope.

Put the eyepiece with the largest number written on it into the telescope. Go out side during the daytime and practice focusing on a distant object.

Look under BOTH the Reflector and the Refractor manuals located here:
http://www.meade.com/manuals/index.html

You did not say what brand or type of telescope you have?

None of these come with a manual-- the weight counter balances the tube---

Check out these web sites for pictures which will help you assemble the telescope--

http://www.telescope.com/control/category/~category_id=refractors/~pcategory=telescopes

http://www.universetoday.com/guide-to-space/telescopes/refractor-telescope/

http://www.meade.com/manuals/TelescopeManuals/Refractors/90AZ-ADR.pdf Here is a similar Meade telescope manual---

During the daytime focus the telescope on a distant object-- center the object in the eyepiece. Without moving the telescope adjust the finder scope by loosening and tightening the set-crews until the crosshairs are centered on the same object in the telescope eyepiece.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/11827347/Tasco-Telescope-Manual