Do you own a ...

[Tender Branson]

Yes, I got one when I was about 12 or so and I'm thinking about buying a new really good one.

[Franzl]

No. No interest in owning one, either, to be honest.

[Yelnoc]

Yes, I got one for my past birthday.  Unfortunately, it is way to high powered, and after a few failed attempts at getting it focus on a star, I put it back in the garage.  Does anyone have any tips on using telescopes.

[Boris]

Yes. Astronomy and elections are two of my nerdy interests that I don't divulge to anyone IRL

[Rochambeau jk I'm Hamilton]

I used to, I sold it back in 2007 right before I left for college.

[angus]

Yes, binoculars too.

jmfcst seems to be the local astronomy expert.  I sent him a message before buying a set of binoculars for my son to get his opinion.  He recommended a particular telescope to me also.  Send him a message if you're thinking about buying one.  Also, talk to the folks in your physics department.  Ours has a little observatory on top of my building, and on Thursdays they do shows for the kiddies.  Yours probably has some decent scopes as well, or could at least point you in the right direction.

[Swing low, sweet chariot. Comin' for to carry me home.]

Unfortunately, it is way to high powered, and after a few failed attempts at getting it focus on a star, I put it back in the garage.  Does anyone have any tips on using telescopes.

post a pic of the model you own...couple of things you must first do with any scope:

1) align the finder scope with the main scope:  start in daytime looking through the main scope at an object on the horizon (e.q. top of distant telephone pole...but, obviously, NEVER point it anywhere near the sun), and start with the lowest power eyepiece...once centered in main scope, align the finder scope to the main scope without moving the main scope.  Once object is centered in both finder and main scope at the same time, then your finder is aligned to you main scope and now whenever you attempt to look at something, you start by moving the mount until object is centered in the finder scope and then move to the main scope for closer viewing (starting with lowest power eyepiece).

2) aim the scope, by adjusting the mount, at something big in the sky like the moon or a very bright star, and start with the finder scope and once it is centered in the finder, look through the main instrument and ALWAYS start with the lowest power eyepiece.  Center moon in main instrument and focus

3) learn how to properly work your mount...if it is an equatorial mount, it is NOT going to be trivial and the instructions may seem confusing