Telescope Workshop (Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025)

Beginner & Intermediate Telescope Workshops - Attend one or both sessions!

Bring your own telescope, or reserve a loaner scope as we walk through everything you need to start observing the night sky!

Only one reservation is needed per telescope. Friends and family are welcome to join and assist you! Best for ages 13+.

This session will be held at Ryan Observatory: 172 Bethesda Church Rd W, Holtwood, PA 17532

This event has a recommended donation of $20 per telescope group. Donations can be made at any time via the RAS Donation Page

Beginner Session: 4:30 - 5:30pm - Learn how to set up and operate your telescope.

• Telescope Hardware: Review telescope parts and learn how to set up the tripod/base and mount the telescope.

• Optics: Understand aperture, focal length, and eyepieces and their impact on observation.

• Telescope Operation: Practice scope movement, adjusting and achieving focus, utilizing finder tools, and changing magnification.

• Orientation Practice: Work together and practice locating targets with your telescope.

Intermediate Session: 5:45 - 7:00pm - Guided observing of different astronomical objects under the night sky.

• Locating Astronomical Objects: Practice orienting your telescope to find astronomical objects.

• Navigating the Night Sky: Introduction to star maps and review the basics of the night sky.

• Star Hopping & Target Tracking: Learn star-hopping techniques to assist in finding deep-sky objects.

• Seasonal Night Sky Targets: Follow along as we observe a curated list of seasonal astronomical objects!