I cannot see anythingthrough the telescope. i wanted to use it to view, and couldn'teven see a star... all i see is black? it was a clear night

1. During the day, point the scope towards an object and align the finder scope to the telescope.
2. First object at night should be the moon. it will verify your finderscope alignment and you should have a clear view of the moon.
3. Use your lowest power eyepiece (largest number in mm) and point the finderscope to a star. The star should be in the center of the eyepiece.. If not, adjust the finder until it and the scope are centered.
4. You can use your higher power lens on the star nd it should still be in the FOV (field of view)
5. Scope may need to be aligned (collimated). Instructions on this should be included with the scope

Is this your telescope?

http://www.fleamarketstore.com/ca/4-280501979376-28179/venture_rx_9_reflector_900_x_114_telescope_675x_power.htm


If it is you can forget about 675 power magnification. The maximum magnification for ANY telescope is about 50 times aperture. You have about a 4 inch aperture mirror so 200 power is the highest it will go, and ONLY on perfect nights when the sky is very stable and if your optics are PERFECT.

Most of us only get 30-40 times aperture. You will not see color almost everything is shades of gray. If you are expecting a GIANT view you will certainly be disappointed. BUT-- the scope can show you many objects in the night sky.

Start with the moon and also Jupiter which is up shortly after dark. Download this free monthly star chart and read my tips on my profile page.

www.skymaps.com

Telescopes have VERY small fields of view, and YOUR telescope will never reach 375 power.

Why? The maximum magnification of any telescope is 50 times aperture. So a 3 inch scope is 150 power.

Do not try to use max power-- I own several scopes in the 10 inch range, many times larger than your scope. Normally we use from 80-150 power to show objects in the night sky. Remember the scope has a field of view smaller than the tip of your finger held at arm's length!

Did you try focusing during the day time on a distant object?

Objects in the sky are very tiny, smaller than the tip of your finger held at arm's length. The scope must be pointed directly at them to see anything----- and your scope also has a VERY small field of view. That's why we recommend binoculars to a beginner. The wider field of view makes it easier to find objects in the sky at night.

Download this free monthly star chart:
http://skymaps.com/downloads.html

Locate a local Astronomy club and attend their star parties and meetings. They will help you.

Read my tips on my profile page for more information.

Stars are ALWAYS pinpoints of light when the scope is focused no matter how much magnification is applied.

You are NOT focused properly -- when you are you cannot see the secondary mirror or the "spider" bracket that holds the mirror.

You will NEVER see a star as a disk, only as a pinpoint light. If you are seeing what looks like a donut with a dark center you are not focused.

Your scope must be pointed directly at the objects in the sky. They are very tiny, and no bigger than the tip of your finger held at arms length. Try for the moon first, and buy a good star chart like, "Sky & Telescope Pocket Star Atlas" available on amazon.com.

All telescopes have very small fields of view, 1 degree or less usually.

Also read my TIPS on my profile page.

You do not need an erecting prism to view objects at night. These are used if you wish to view terrestrial objects since it turns them right side up.

If you have a reflecting telescope (it uses mirrors) it's normal to not use an erecting prism or as they are also known as star diagonals. Objects will appear inverted and that's normal. A refracting telescope (no mirrors, just lenses) will also invert the image but it is quite often used with a star diagonal to make it easier to view. There are many other types of telescopes that use a combination of mirrors and lenses.

I hope this helps.

-jodair

I have this same issue. A star or planet is vlocked by a circle with 3 prongs - like the mirror holder in the tube.