I can't even see the moon, much less the planets
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answers:
Joshua say: Try adjusting your finderscope. There are videos on YouTube that'll show you. If you don't have a finderscope, try putting the telescope in the direction you want to look completely out of focus. You'll see a big blob looking eye like thing when you point it right at a star or planet. Focus it in and bam! You're there dude. Careful with the moon, though! It's bright as ****.
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spot a say: It is probably way out of focus.
Set your telescope up on a tripod, outside, in the daytime on a fine day. Take off the big cap at the front and take off the eyepiece cover. (use a 20mm eyepiece)
Aim along the tube of the telescope. Point it at something (eg the middle of a tree) at least 100 metres away, then turn the focus wheel all the way out. Next, while looking through the eyepiece, turn the focus wheel slowly in. Stop when you see something and turn the focus wheel in and out until the image is sharp. It will be upside down.
If you have a small finder 'scope attached, take its caps off and look through it and turn the aiming screws on its mount until you can see the object (eg the tree) centred in the cross hairs. Check that the big 'scope is still pointed at the same spot. Wait for the night and aim the finder 'scope at the moon or a star. Now SLOWLY go left and right and up and down with the big scope until you get the moon or star in the middle of the view(It is easier to look at the moon if it is up). Realign the finder scope cross hairs if needed.
I recommend getting a red dot finder. I got one, for A$9.95 aligned it once and it makes finding stars SO easy. I have to remember to turn it off. A $75 one might turn off automatically
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CarolOklaNola say: Find out how to FOCUS the eye piece and USE the setting circles on the telescope . Good luck on plar aligning your telescope, ESPECIALLY of you Alt-Azimuth telescope and not equatorial mount.