The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word TELESCOPE
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
T
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More clues leading to the result TELESCOPE
- Instrument given new steel covering
- Contract that’s far-sighted
- See 3
- With which to see stars become smaller
- In supermarket, the French exercise and collapse
- It’s used to observe select abuse, given the rise of EPO
- After torrential sleet cloak glass
- Select Poe works to shorten
- Dodgy steeple held together by firm device pointing upward?
- Bobby occupies run-down let — see contract
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "It’s used to observe" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case it’s used to observe = telescope.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does TELESCOPE mean?
TELESCOPE noun- A monocular optical instrument that magnifies distant objects, especially in astronomy.
- Any instrument used in astronomy for observing distant objects (such as a radio telescope).
- To extend or contract in the manner of a telescope.
- To slide or pass one within another, after the manner of the sections of a small telescope or spyglass.
- To come into collision, as railway cars, in such a manner that one runs into another.