If you’ve just gotten a Celestron telescope, you might be excited to start viewing the stars. Learning how to use a Celestron telescope is easier than you think, and this guide will walk you through every step.
We’ll cover everything from unboxing to finding your first galaxy. You’ll learn how to set up the mount, align the finder, and use the eyepieces. With a little patience, you’ll be ready for a night of amazing views.
How to Use a Celestron Telescope
This section is your complete roadmap. We’ll break down the process into simple, managable steps. Follow along in order for the best results.
Step 1: Unboxing and Initial Assembly
Start by carefully unpacking all the components. Lay them out on a clean surface so you can see everything. Check the manual’s parts list to ensure nothing is missing.
Your telescope likely came in several main pieces:
- The optical tube (the main body of the telescope).
- The mount and tripod.
- Eyepieces (these are your magnifying lenses).
- The finderscope (a small, low-power scope on the side).
- Accessories like a star diagonal and various knobs.
Begin by attaching the tripod legs to the mount head. Tighten the knobs firmly, but don’t over-tighten them. Extend the tripod legs to a comfortable height and lock them in place.
Next, place the optical tube onto the mount. There is usually a dovetail bar and a clamp. Secure the tube tightly so it cannot move or slip. Make sure the tube is balanced to prevent strain on the mount’s motors.
Step 2: Understanding Your Telescope’s Parts
Knowing what each part does is crucial. Let’s identify the key components you’ll use every time.
The Optical Tube
This is the heart of your telescope. It gathers light. The front has a lens (refractor) or a mirror (reflector) that does this work. The open end of a reflector telescope is the front.
The Mount
The mount holds the tube and allows you to point it. There are two main types: Alt-Azimuth (moves up-down and left-right) and Equatorial (tracks stars by aligning with Earth’s axis). Most beginner Celestron scopes use Alt-Azimuth mounts.
The Finderscope
This is a small telescope attached to the main tube. It has a wide field of view, making it much easier to locate objects than using the main telescope’s narrow view alone.
Eyepieces
You look through these. They determine the magnification. A lower number (like 25mm) gives a wider, brighter view. A higher number (like 10mm) provides more magnification but a dimmer, narrower view.
Focus Knob
This is usually a large knob near the eyepiece holder. Turning it moves the eyepiece in and out until the image becomes sharp and clear.
Step 3: Setting Up for Your First Night
Always set up your telescope indoors first. Practice assembling it in the light so you’re not fumbling in the dark. Familiarize yourself with all the knobs and locks.
When you’re ready for night, choose a good location. Find a spot with as little direct light as possible. Streetlights and house lights will greatly reduce what you can see. Let your telescope sit outside for about 30 minutes before you start. This allows the optics to cool down to the outside air temperature, which stabilizes the image.
Never look at the Sun through your telescope without a proper solar filter designed for the front aperture. It can cause instant and permanent eye damage.
Step 4: Aligning the Finderscope (The Most Important Step)
A misaligned finderscope is the number one reason beginners get frustrated. This step must be done during the day, on a distant terrestrial object.
- Point your main telescope at a distant object like a telephone pole or a chimney. Center it in your lowest-power eyepiece (the one with the highest mm number). Bring it into sharp focus.
- Look through the finderscope. You’ll likely see the same object, but it won’t be centered.
- Adjust the finderscope’s alignment screws (usually three or six knobs around its bracket). Turn them until the crosshair or red dot is centered on the exact same object you see in the main telescope’s eyepiece.
- Switch to a higher-power eyepiece in the main scope and re-center the object. Fine-tune the finderscope alignment again. This ensures it’s perfectly aligned for the night.
Step 5: Finding Your First Objects
Start with easy, bright targets. The Moon is the perfect first object. It’s bright, detailed, and easy to find.
Point your telescope in the Moon’s general direction. Use your finderscope to center the Moon in its crosshairs. When you look through the main eyepiece, the Moon should be there. Use the focus knob to sharpen the image.
After the Moon, try Jupiter or Saturn. They look like very bright stars. Use a star chart app on your phone to help locate them. Center them in your finderscope, and they will appear in your main telescope. With even modest magnification, you should see Jupiter’s moons and Saturn’s rings.
Star clusters, like the Pleiades, are also excellent targets. They look stunning even at low power.
Step 6: Using Eyepieces and Magnification
Magnification is calculated by dividing the telescope’s focal length by the eyepiece’s focal length. Your manual will list your scope’s focal length (e.g., 650mm). A 25mm eyepiece gives 650/25 = 26x magnification.
Always start with your lowest-power eyepiece. It gives the brightest, widest view and makes finding objects easiest. Once you have the object centered, you can switch to a higher-power eyepiece for a closer look.
Remember, there is a limit to useful magnification. On most nights, atmospheric conditions limit clear views to about 200x-300x. Higher power also magnifies shakiness and any heat currents in the air.
Step 7: Maintaining Your Telescope
Proper care will keep your telescope performing for years. Always put lens caps on when the telescope is not in use. This prevents dust from settling on the optics.
Store your telescope in a dry, temperature-stable place. If you bring it in from the cold, let it acclimate slowly to prevent condensation. If you see dew on the optics, let it evaporate naturally. Gently brush off any loose dust with a soft brush made for camera lenses.
Avoid touching the glass surfaces of eyepieces or the main lens/mirror. The oils from your skin can damage coatings. Cleaning should be very rare and done with specific lens-cleaning fluid and microfiber cloths.
Step 8: Next Steps and Advanced Tips
Once you’re comfortable with the basics, you can enhance your experience. Consider keeping an observing log. Note the date, time, object viewed, and the eyepiece used. This is a rewarding practice.
Learn a few key constellations. This helps you “star-hop” from bright stars to find fainter objects. A planisphere (a simple star-finding wheel) or a mobile app like Stellarium are invaluable tools.
If your telescope has a motorized “GoTo” mount, you can start using the computerized alignment process. This typically involves choosing two or three bright alignment stars. The manual for your specific model will have detailed instructions for this feature.
Join a local astronomy club. Seeing how others use there equipment is incredibly helpful. Many clubs have dark-sky sites and hold public viewing nights.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why can’t I see anything through my Celestron telescope?
First, ensure all lens caps are removed. Second, check that you are using the lowest-power eyepiece. Third, your finderscope is almost certainly not aligned. Re-do the daytime alignment process carefully. Finally, make sure you are focused correctly; turn the focus knob through its full range.
What can I see with my Celestron telescope?
You can see a lot! The Moon’s craters, Jupiter’s cloud bands and four largest moons, Saturn’s rings, bright star clusters like the Pleiades, and nebulae like the Orion Nebula. From dark skies, you can even see distant galaxies like Andromeda.
How do I choose the right eyepiece?
Start with the eyepieces that came with your scope. A good starter set includes a low-power (e.g., 25mm) for finding objects and a medium-power (e.g., 10mm) for closer views. Later, you can invest in wider-field or higher-quality eyepieces for specific targets.
My view is shaky. How do I fix this?
Make sure your tripod legs are fully spread and on solid ground. Extend the lower leg sections first for maximum stability before using the thinner upper sections. Also, avoid touching the telescope while looking through it. A gentle tap to adjust it is fine, but then let it settle.
What’s the difference between a reflector and refractor Celestron telescope?
A refractor uses lenses at the front of the tube to gather light. A reflector uses a mirror at the bottom of the tube. Reflectors often offer more aperture for your money, while refractors generally need less maintenance and provide high-contrast views.
Can I use my Celestron telescope for daytime viewing?
Yes, for terrestrial viewing like birds or landscapes, but you will need an additional accessory called an erecting prism. This corrects the upside-down image that astronomical telescopes produce. Never point your telescope anywhere near the Sun without a proper front-mounted solar filter.
With these steps, you are well on your way to enjoying your new instrument. The key is patience and practice. Start with bright, easy targets and take your time with each setup step. Clear skies are ahead, and the universe is waiting for you to look up.