From Microscope to Telescope - Help Me See the Stars

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Over a year ago, I bought a toy microscope for my then 5.5-year-old son. If you can recall that then you might also remember, me being excited more than my son to examine every close-to-microscopic thing. I even got interesting suggestions from you guys but before I could update on that, I felt like hitting a dead-end on Steem and disappeared. 🫣

During my time off, I put that microscope to an interesting use. But there was one time, I questioned myself why I brought it home -

(You may skip the story and read the actual purpose of this post under the heading of Time for New Toy.)

^{"About a year ago, one fine night, I found a microscopic thing moving on my wrist. I ignored it at first but then I removed two or three more, in the next 5 minutes. I couldn't make out what it was, for it was barely visible yet moving with the lighting speed. I got curious and somehow grabbed one and tried to crush it between my fingers. I used all my strength but that tiny dot was still moving. With a confused mind, I smashed it with the edge of my mobile phone (it was in my hand hence the impromptu weapon). Finally, it got killed. By that time, I was intrigued to another level and decided to check it under the microscope. I got a little freaked out to see a spider or beetle-like creature in the lens. So many legs and a shell-like body (which explained the failed crushing with my soft fingertips). I took the picture of a microscopic image and ran it through Google Lens, only to find out that it was a Tick. This discovery led to some more Google Searches and the resulting articles freaked me out even more. Apparently, they had infested my body. Since I killed it with my hand, its contagious water on my skin was going to give me Lyme disease and I threw it on the carpeted floor carelessly, so the entire home was going to be infested. What the crazy heck! I spent the next few days in pure agony. I was doing great, with no symptoms of any sickness but the crazy ticks were all over me. I took countless baths, tried tons of remedies, sanitized the whole home, and washed all the linen daily but all in vain. A distant cousin even implied that I would probably die of Lyme disease in 2 years if I left it untreated. I decided to finally see a doctor, she diagnosed me with scabies. Prescribed some medicines that were supposed to kill the mites and kinds. I did the whole course and guess what? Ticks didn't leave me even then. After 7 days, while I was doing dishes in the kitchen, and surprisingly noticed the same evil dots near the sink. There was an army of it. Then I connected the dots and found out that ticks mostly appeared on my body whenever I came from the kitchen. I sprayed the whole area and under the sink cabin with Kingtox. I was so furious that I emptied the whole bottle. That sink cabinet was always humid due to plumbing issues which were unsolvable (unless the whole kitchen was dug) and it often resulted in various kinds of insects. I had sealed that cabin but ticks were so tiny, they came out easily from small creaks. Thankfully, the mystery got solved before I went nuts."}

Since then, I haven't used that microscope on impulse because I'm happy being ignorant. 😅

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Time for New Toy

A couple of days ago, it was my son's 7th birthday and this time he asked for a telescope because he's so into space stuff and mostly because we told him that he can have any useful/educational present - just no more monster trucks.

^{Excuse the messy post-birthday table}

We had no clue of what things to look for while getting a telescope. Most of them were extremely expensive (and professional) for a 7-year-old kid. So my husband bought the least expensive one that could spot Jupiter and Saturn at least. I still think it's far from cheap and expensive for a kid. So just like that, I have an equal right to use it whenever I want, like microscope. 😅

Just kidding, a telescope needs to be used under adult supervision, nonetheless.

Coming back to the actual reason for this post... Thank you if you have read this far.🤐

I was wondering if any one of you has experience with a telescope and could help me get started.

I check TheSkyLive to find out which celestial objects can be seen through the naked eye in real-time. It tells where to look in the sky by giving cardinal directions and altitude angles from the Earth's horizon based on the current location.

I have also downloaded the Stellarium app which pretty much does the same.

I traced Jupiter last night but it was at 57° from the horizon - had to look almost straight up. It was hard to point the telescope in the upward direction and I couldn't hold it in my hand for long because it required patience and my arm got tired.

Same happened with the Moon but with slightly better luck. I didn't check it's altitude that night. But it was surely close to 90°. It was half-moon and I located it through the telescope for a few seconds till my hand shook. I could see the whole moon and saw the shadow over it. I mean we can see the shadow through the naked eye too but it was extremely clear through the telescope (the gray-ish non-illuminated other half). I only used the basic lens (no Barlow).

^{Picture taken from my phone that particular night. Hoping to take the telescopic picture next time.}

Anyhoo, I will figure out the mechanics of the mount on my own. It would be great if anyone could pour in some suggestions for using it effectively. I can share the specs if needed.

I missed watching the Wolf Moon the other night because of the clouds. Also, it's cold so it's not possible to stay out for long. Waiting for the next big (visible) astronomical event.🤞