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Can you use and move around a telescope on Shabbos?

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I'm so happy to see this question (and the 'yes' answers!) here. I'm buying a telescope online right now - but I hesitated because the best time for viewing (for me and my son) is probably Friday nights and I was afraid it might not be permissible. I Googled telescopes on Shabbos and this came up as the first hit! Go Judaism.SE! – Seth J Oct 26 '11 at 16:33
...but of course you should CYLOR before relying on anything you read here. – Double AA♦ Mar 29 '12 at 5:54

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up vote 4 down vote accepted

Yes, if you hold that you may study science on Shabbos, the Shulchan Aruch says, in Orach Chaim 307:17:

ויש מי שמתיר ועל פי סברתו מותר להביט באצטרלוב בשבת

that there are those who permit studying "sifrei chochmos" (secular studies) on Shabbos, and that according to that reasoning, you may peer into an astrolabe on Shabbos.

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Thanx I was aguing with somone he said it was a Telescope I am happy to see it is not and I was right – SimchasTorah Jan 27 '11 at 2:24
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Why wouldn't a telescope be muktza machmas chisaron kis? – Shraga Dec 21 '12 at 0:24
up vote 3 down vote

Use of binoculars, a telescope, a tripod and glasses is permitted provided that there is no other prohibition involved such as carrying in a public domain, use of electricity, and on the condition that special skills are not required to assemble the equipment. It is permitted to adjust binoculars and a telescope in the normal manner. (Shmiras Shabbos Kehilchoso 16:45)

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