So, you’ve got a new Celestron telescope and you’re ready to see the stars. Learning how do you use a Celestron telescope might seem tricky at first, but it’s really about following a few clear steps. This guide will walk you through everything from unboxing to finding your first galaxy, using simple language and practical advice.
Let’s start with the basics. Your telescope is a tool for gathering light, and how you set it up determines what you’ll see. Whether you have a simple refractor or a computerized model, the core principles are the same. We’ll cover them all.
First, find a good place to start. Your living room is perfect for the initial setup. You’ll need to assemble the telescope and get familiar with its parts before you take it outside at night. Trying to figure it out in the dark is much harder.
What’s in the Box?
Most Celestron telescopes come with these key parts:
* The optical tube (the main body of the telescope).
* The mount (the tripod and the head that holds the tube).
* One or two eyepieces (these are numbered in millimeters, like 25mm or 10mm).
* A finderscope (a small, low-power scope on the side).
* Possibly a star diagonal (a mirror or prism for comfortable viewing).
How Do You Use a Celestron Telescope
Using your telescope successfully involves a sequence of steps. You can’t skip the setup. Rushing to look at Saturn before your telescope is stable and aligned will only lead to frustration. Here’s the overall process.
Step 1: Assemble the Mount and Tripod
Start by extending the tripod legs. Make sure they’re on solid ground and lock them securely. An unstable tripod will make everything shake. Attach the mount head to the tripod if it isn’t already connected. This is usually done with a single central bolt.
Step 2: Attach the Optical Tube
The optical tube attaches to the mount via a set of rings or a mounting bracket. Tighten the screws firmly, but don’t overtighten them. The tube should be secure but you should still be able to rotate it slightly for balance later.
Step 3: Install the Finderscope
This is a critical step many beginners overlook. The finderscope is your guide to the sky. Attach its bracket to the optical tube. You’ll align it later, but for now, just get it physically mounted.
Step 4: Insert the Eyepiece
Start with your lowest-power eyepiece (the one with the highest millimeter number, like 25mm). If your telescope is a refractor or Schmidt-Cassegrain, you’ll need to insert the star diagonal into the focuser first, then the eyepiece into the diagonal.
Your telescope is now assembled. Before you move it, double-check all connections. A loose screw can cause big problems.
Aligning Your Finderscope in Daylight
Trying to align your finderscope at night is the number one cause of beginner frustration. Do this during the day.
1. Point your main telescope at a distant, stationary object. A power line tower, a treetop, or a chimney works great. Do not use the Sun.
2. Center the object in your main eyepiece. Take your time to get it perfectly centered.
3. Look through the finderscope. You’ll likely see the object off-center.
4. Adjust the knobs or screws on the finderscope bracket. These will move the finderscope until the object is centered in its crosshairs.
5. Re-check the view in the main eyepiece and fine-tune. The alignment is complete when an object centered in the finderscope is also centered in the main telescope.
This one step will save you hours of hunting in the dark.
Understanding Your Mount: Alt-Azimuth vs. Equatorial
Celestron makes two main types of mounts. Knowing which you have is essential.
Alt-Azimuth Mount
This is the simpler type. It moves up-down (altitude) and left-right (azimuth). It’s intuitive, like a camera tripod. Most beginner Celestron telescopes, like the PowerSeeker or AstroMaster, use this. It’s easy to use but not ideal for tracking objects for long exposures in astrophotography.
Equatorial Mount
This mount is tilted to match your latitude. It has axes called Right Ascension (RA) and Declination (Dec). Once aligned to the North Star (Polaris), you can track stars by turning just one knob. It takes more setup but makes finding objects from star charts much easier.
If you have an equatorial mount, you must polar align it for best results. This involves leveling the tripod and pointing the RA axis roughly at Polaris. Your manual will have specific instructions.
Using a Computerized GoTo Mount
Many Celestron telescopes, like those in the NexStar series, feature computerized GoTo mounts. They can automatically point to thousands of objects. Here’s how to start with one.
1. Complete Assembly: Set up the telescope and mount as described above.
2. Power It Up: Use the recommended power supply. Weak batteries can cause the mount to fail.
3. Initialization: Turn on the hand control. It will ask for the date, time, and your location (entered as longitude/latitude or city).
4. Alignment: The mount will guide you through an alignment routine. The most common is “SkyAlign.” You’ll be asked to center three bright stars in the eyepiece. The telescope uses these to create a model of the sky.
5. GoTo an Object: After successful alignment, you can select an object from the hand control’s database. The telescope will slew to it automatically.
A tip: Always start your alignment with the lowest-power eyepiece. It has the widest field of view, making it easier to center stars.
Finding Your First Night Sky Objects
Now for the fun part. With your telescope set up and finderscope aligned, you’re ready to observe. Start with easy, bright targets.
The Moon
The Moon is the perfect first target. It’s bright, easy to find, and reveals incredible detail. Even a small telescope shows craters, mountains, and plains. Use your lowest-power eyepiece first to find it, then switch to higher power (lower mm number) to zoom in on specific features.
The Planets
* Jupiter: Look for a bright, non-twinkling star. In the telescope, you’ll see it as a small disk with its four largest moons lined up beside it.
* Saturn: Even at low power, the rings are unmistakable. It’s a breathtaking sight for any new observer.
* Venus and Mars: Venus shows phases like the Moon. Mars appears as a small red disk, and during its close approaches, you might see its polar ice cap.
Deep-Sky Objects
After planets, try some star clusters.
* The Pleiades (M45) is beautiful in any telescope, even binoculars.
* The Orion Nebula (M42) is a bright cloud of gas where stars are born. It’s visible as a fuzzy patch in the finderscope.
Mastering Focus and Using Different Eyepieces
Focusing seems obvious, but it can be tricky. Slowly turn the focus knob until the object snaps into sharp view. If you turn past it, just go back. For stars, focus until they are the smallest possible points of light.
Eyepieces control magnification. Magnification is calculated by dividing the telescope’s focal length by the eyepiece’s focal length. A 1000mm telescope with a 25mm eyepiece gives 40x power.
* Low Power (20mm-40mm): Wide views, brighter images. Best for star clusters, the full Moon, and finding objects.
* Medium Power (10mm-18mm): Good for general planetary viewing and larger nebulae.
* High Power (4mm-9mm): Used for planets and the Moon on nights of steady air. High power often makes images dimmer and shakier.
Essential Tips for a Better Experience
* Let Your Eyes Adjust: Spend at least 20 minutes in the dark for your night vision to develop. Use a red flashlight to preserve it.
* Be Patient: The sky moves due to Earth’s rotation. You’ll need to nudge your telescope often (unless you have a tracking mount).
* Check the Weather: Clear, steady nights are best. Heat waves and wind cause poor seeing conditions.
* Start Simple: Don’t try to use every accessory on night one. Master the basics with the included eyepieces.
* Keep a Log: Note what you see, with which eyepiece, and under what conditions. It’s rewarding and improves your skills.
Telescopes can also be used for terrestrial viewing during the day, like birdwatching or viewing landscapes. Just remember: never, ever point your telescope at or near the Sun without a proper, professionally designed solar filter. Permanent eye damage can occur instantly.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Even with careful setup, things can go wrong. Here’s how to fix common issues.
* I see nothing but black: You are likely pointed at empty sky. Use your aligned finderscope to aim at a bright star or the Moon first. Also, check that lens caps are removed.
* The image is blurry and won’t focus: You might be out of focus range. Try turning the knob more slowly through its full range. Ensure you’re using the correct eyepiece combination (e.g., the star diagonal is needed for some scopes).
* Everything shakes too much: Your tripod legs may not be fully extended or locked. Also, wait a moment after touching the telescope for vibrations to settle. Avoid touching the eyepiece while looking.
* GoTo mount points to the wrong place: Your alignment stars may have been incorrect or not centered precisely. Redo the alignment process carefully. Also, ensure your time, date, and location are entered correctly.
* I see a dark shadow in the middle of the view: This usually means you’re using too high a magnification for the conditions, or your secondary mirror (in reflector telescopes) is becoming visible. Switch to a lower-power eyepiece.
Maintenance is simple. Store your telescope in a dry place. Keep dust caps on when not in use. Clean lenses only with proper lens cleaning fluid and microfiber cloths, and only when absolutely necessary. A little dust doesn’t affect the view much.
Taking the Next Steps in Astronomy
Once you’re comfortable, you can enhance your experience. Consider getting a planisphere (a simple star-finding wheel) or a sky map app on your phone (set to red night mode). A moon filter can reduce the Moon’s glare for more comfortable viewing. A better quality eyepiece, like a Plössl, can offer sharper views.
Joining a local astronomy club is one of the best things you can do. You’ll get help, inspiration, and a chance to look through different telescopes. Remember, astronomy is a journey. Some nights will be amazing, others will be frustrating. Each time you set up, you’ll learn something new.
FAQ Section
How do I set up my Celestron telescope for the first time?
Start indoors. Assemble the tripod and mount, attach the optical tube securely, and install the finderscope. Then, take it outside and perform a daylight alignment of the finderscope using a distant object. This makes your first night much smoother.
Why can’t I see anything through my Celestron telescope?
First, check that all lens caps are off. Then, use your aligned finderscope to point at the Moon or a bright star. Ensure you are using a low-power eyepiece (like a 25mm) first. Slowly turn the focus knob through its entire range. If you still see nothing, double-check that the finderscope is properly aligned.
What can I see with a beginner Celestron telescope?
You can see a tremendous amount! The Moon’s craters, Jupiter and its four largest moons, Saturn’s rings, bright star clusters like the Pleiades, and nebulae like the Orion Nebula. Start with these bright targets before attempting fainter galaxies.
How do you use a Celestron computerized telescope?
After assembly, power the mount. Enter the correct date, time, and location when prompted. Choose an alignment routine (like SkyAlign). The hand control will ask you to center three bright stars in the eyepiece. Once aligned, you can select objects from its database for the telescope to find automatically.
How do I maintain my Celestron telescope?
Store it in a cool, dry place with all dust caps on. Avoid touching glass surfaces. If cleaning is necessary, use a blower to remove dust, then gently wipe with a microfiber cloth designed for optics. For mirrors in reflector telescopes, cleaning is rarely needed and should be done with extreme caution.
Can I use my Celestron telescope to look at things on land?
Yes, you can. It’s great for birdwatching or viewing scenery. However, most astronomical telescopes present an upside-down or mirror-reversed image, which is fine for the sky but can be disorienting for terrestrial use. Some models require an optional erect-image diagonal for a correct view.