Tasco Beginner Telescope 50x50mm: Setup, Use and First-Night Tips

A tasco beginner telescope 50x50mm is a small refracting scope with a 50mm objective lens and a 50mm-class finder setup, aimed at young observers and families who want a simple first look at the Moon, planets and bright star clusters. In this guide you will learn how to unpack and assemble the telescope, set up a stable mount, find your first targets and get comfortable with focusing. You will also see the limits of a scope this size, so your expectations stay realistic and your first nights stay fun.

What the 50x50mm Designation Means

The number pair in a telescope name usually describes the size of the main lens and the size of the finder scope. In a tasco beginner telescope 50x50mm, the 50mm objective lens gathers light and sets the telescope’s basic brightness and resolving power. The second 50 refers to the finder, a small guiding scope mounted on top that helps you point the main tube at a target before you look through the eyepiece.

Shopping for one? See our guide: Reflector or Refractor Telescope for Beginner: Which Should You Choose?.

A 50mm objective collects far less light than a 130mm or 200mm reflector, so faint galaxies and nebulae will look like grey smudges, if they show up at all. Bright objects, though, look clear and satisfying. The Moon’s craters, Jupiter’s four largest moons and Saturn’s rings are all within reach of a scope this size.

Step-by-Step Setup

Step 1: Gather Your Tools and Check the Box

Before you start, lay everything out on a table indoors. Check that you have the following:

• The optical tube with the objective lens and dust cap
• The tripod with legs and a center accessory tray
• The mount head, which holds the tube and lets it swivel
• One or more eyepieces, usually a low-power and a higher-power model
• The finder scope and its bracket
• A diagonal or star diagonal, if included, for upright viewing
• A small screwdriver or Allen key for tightening the hardware

Manufacturers usually list the exact contents on the box, so compare the parts with that list. If something is missing, contact the seller before you plan an observing night.

Step 2: Assemble the Tripod and Mount

Spread the tripod legs to a comfortable width and tighten the leg locks. Attach the center tray, then mount the head to the tripod top with the central bolt or knob. Tighten it firmly but do not overtighten, because stripped threads are a common frustration with budget tripods. Keep the tripod on flat, firm ground. Grass and soft soil let the legs sink and cause the image to drift.

Step 3: Attach the Optical Tube

Slide or bolt the optical tube into the mount’s cradle. Make sure the tube sits level and that the clamp locks it without pinching the tube. Turn the altitude and azimuth knobs to confirm smooth movement in both directions. If movement feels gritty, loosen the clamp slightly and try again.

Step 4: Install the Finder Scope

The finder usually slides into a dovetail bracket or uses small screws. Attach it so the finder is parallel to the main tube. Many beginners skip this step and then wonder why they cannot find anything. You can check alignment by daylight: pick a distant chimney or rooftop, center it in the main eyepiece, and then adjust the finder’s small alignment screws until the same object is centered in the finder.

Step 5: Insert the Eyepiece

Start with the lowest-power eyepiece, which gives the widest field and the easiest target finding. Loosen the eyepiece holder, slide the eyepiece in, and tighten it. If you use a diagonal, insert it into the focuser first, then place the eyepiece into the diagonal.

Finding and Focusing on Your First Targets

Start With the Moon

The Moon is bright, easy to locate and full of detail, which makes it the best first target for a small refractor. Use the finder to center the Moon, then look through the eyepiece. Turn the focus knob slowly until the crater edges look sharp. Near the terminator, the line between light and shadow, craters and mountain ranges show the most contrast.

Try Jupiter and Saturn

Once you feel comfortable, look for Jupiter. It appears as a bright, steady point that is far brighter than most stars. Through a 50mm telescope you may see a small, pale disk and a row of tiny points beside it. Those points are Jupiter’s Galilean moons, and you can check their positions on a star-map app or printed chart. Saturn, when it is up in the evening sky, appears as a small oval with faint ring shapes on either side. Even a modest scope can show the ring tilt, which is a thrilling sight for young observers.

Explore Bright Star Clusters

On dark nights, open star clusters such as the Pleiades (M45) are excellent low-power targets. A wide field eyepiece will frame dozens of stars at once, and young observers often enjoy counting them. Double stars, like Albireo in Cygnus, also split nicely into two colored points in a small scope.

Choosing Eyepieces and Understanding Magnification

Magnification equals the telescope’s focal length divided by the eyepiece’s focal length. Many 50mm beginner scopes ship with eyepieces that give moderate magnification, and manufacturers often list the focal length on the model’s box. Use the table below as a general guide.

Eyepiece focal length	Typical use	What you see
Long (around 20mm or more)	Finding targets, star clusters	Wide view, low magnification, bright image
Medium (around 10mm)	Moon, general viewing	Balanced detail and brightness
Short (around 5mm or less)	Detailed planet views	High magnification, dimmer image, more sensitive to shake

Do not chase high magnification. Past a certain point, the image gets dim and blurry. For a 50mm scope, a useful upper limit is often cited as roughly 50x per inch of aperture, which works out to about 100x. Practical viewing is usually better at lower powers.

Setting Realistic Expectations

A tasco beginner telescope 50x50mm is a learning instrument. Young observers should understand what it will and will not show so they stay motivated. The Moon, Jupiter’s moons and Saturn’s rings are rewarding targets. Faint deep-sky objects, such as distant galaxies or dim nebulae, are much harder and may require dark skies, patience and a larger telescope. Light pollution from streetlights and city glow reduces contrast for every target, so a suburban backyard with a clear view of the sky is a good starting point.

Common Mistakes

• Starting with the highest-power eyepiece. The image becomes dim and shaky. Begin low and work up.
• Setting up on soft ground. Legs sink and the view drifts. Use a paved patio or hard lawn surface.
• Skipping finder alignment. Without it, you will spend the night searching. Align the finder in daylight first.
• Looking at the Sun without a proper solar filter. Never point any telescope at the Sun without a filter made for that purpose. Direct sunlight can cause permanent eye damage, so keep this rule firm for young observers.
• Touching the lens. Dust and fingerprints are usually harmless, but scratches are not. Use the dust cap and clean gently with proper lens materials only.
• Expecting deep-sky views like photographs. Most faint objects appear as subtle gray shapes. Let the eyes adapt for 15 to 20 minutes in the dark.

Tips for Family Stargazing Sessions

1. Check the weather and moon phase. A new moon is best for faint objects, while a first-quarter or full Moon is great for lunar viewing.
2. Dress warmly. Cold hands make adjusting knobs frustrating, and even summer nights cool down quickly.
3. Use a red flashlight to protect night vision. White light can ruin dark adaptation for everyone.
4. Take turns at the eyepiece and let each child call out a target to find.
5. Keep a simple observing log with the date, target, eyepiece and what each person saw. Kids enjoy drawing what they observe.

If your family wants a second opinion on which gear suits a young observer best, the guide Binoculars for Astronomy Reddit: A Beginner's Guide to Choosing Your First Pair offers a useful comparison of simple viewing options.

Recommended gear

Several accessories can make a 50mm refractor more comfortable and more capable, especially for young observers who want to explore further.

• A red-light headlamp or flashlight. It preserves night vision while you read charts and adjust gear. View on Amazon
• A planisphere or rotating star chart. It shows which constellations are visible at a given date and time, helping beginners find their way around the sky. View on Amazon
• A sturdy tabletop or lightweight tripod upgrade. A steadier mount reduces vibration at higher magnifications. View on Amazon
• A set of additional eyepieces. A wider or medium-focal-length eyepiece expands what your scope can show. View on Amazon

FAQ

Is a tasco beginner telescope 50x50mm good for kids?

Yes, it is a reasonable first telescope for children, provided they understand its limits. Bright targets like the Moon and planets are most rewarding, and a small scope is easier for young hands to carry and aim.

What can I see with a 50mm telescope?

You can see lunar craters, Jupiter and its largest moons, Saturn’s rings, the phases of Venus, and bright open clusters. Faint galaxies and nebulae are much harder to see.

Why is my image blurry?

Common causes include the object not being in focus, the eyepiece being too high-powered, or the tripod shaking. Focus slowly, start with a lower-power eyepiece, and make sure the tripod sits on firm ground.

Do I need a filter to look at the Sun?

Yes, and a standard tasco beginner telescope should never be aimed at the Sun without a proper solar filter fitted over the front of the objective. Without one, direct sunlight can cause permanent eye injury. Consider a solar-specific setup only if an adult supervises closely.

How much magnification do I need?

Most beginners get the best results between about 25x and 60x. Higher magnifications work only on steady nights with good seeing conditions.

How do I find targets without a computer?

A printed star chart or planisphere shows the sky for a given date and time. Start with easy landmarks like the Big Dipper, then use the finder to hop to brighter objects.

When is the best time to observe?

Clear, dark nights away from the Moon’s glare work well for most targets. The Moon is best viewed during its phases away from full, when shadows along the terminator reveal crater detail.

Conclusion

With a careful setup, a steady tripod and a low-power eyepiece to start, a tasco beginner telescope 50x50mm can show the Moon, Jupiter’s moons and Saturn’s rings with real clarity. Keep expectations matched to the scope, protect young eyes from direct sunlight and let each observing night build curiosity. Over time, your family will learn the sky one bright target at a time.

Related reading

• Tasco Beginner Telescope 45T: Setup, First Views and Tips for Kids
• Dolly for Dobsonian Telescope: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

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