So you’ve got a new Celestron telescope. That’s exciting! But figuring out how to use Celestron telescope models for the first time can feel a bit overwhelming. Don’t worry, this guide will walk you through everything, from unboxing to finding your first galaxy. We’ll use simple steps and clear explanations to get you observing the night sky with confidence.
How To Use Celestron Telescope
This main section covers the universal steps that apply to almost every Celestron telescope, whether it’s a simple FirstScope or an advanced computerized model. Following these steps in order is the key to success.
Step 1: Unboxing and Initial Assembly
Start by carefully unboxing all components. Lay them out on a clean surface. The main parts usually include:
- The optical tube (the main body of the telescope).
- The mount (the tripod or base that holds the tube).
- Eyepieces (these are the lenses you look through; they come in different sizes like 25mm or 10mm).
- The finderscope (a small, low-power scope on top of the main tube).
- Any accessories like a star diagonal or lens cap.
Assemble the mount or tripod first, ensuring all legs are securely locked. Then, attach the optical tube to the mount using the provided brackets or rings. Always tighten knobs firmly, but avoid over-tightening. Attach the finderscope to its bracket on the main tube, but don’t align it yet—that comes later.
Step 2: Understanding Your Telescope’s Parts
Knowing what each piece does is crucial. The aperture is the diameter of the main lens or mirror; bigger apertures collect more light and show fainter objects. The focal length affects magnification. You calculate magnification by dividing the telescope’s focal length by the eyepiece’s focal length. For example, a 1000mm telescope with a 25mm eyepiece gives 40x power. The mount holds everything steady. A shaky mount ruins the view. The finderscope is your guide; it has a wide field of view to help you point the main telescope accurately.
The Importance of the Finderscope
This small tool is often neglected by beginners, but it’s your best friend. The main telescope’s view is very narrow at high power. Trying to find anything with it alone is like looking through a straw. The finderscope shows a much wider area of sky, making it easy to get your target centered before you look through the main eyepiece.
Step 3: Aligning the Finderscope (This is Essential!)
This must be done during the daytime, never at night. It’s the most important step for a frustration-free experience.
- Point your telescope at a distant, stationary object like a telephone pole or a treetop. It should be at least a quarter-mile away.
- Look through your main telescope with a low-power eyepiece (like the 25mm) and center the object carefully.
- Without moving the telescope, look through the finderscope. Is the same object centered on the crosshairs? Probably not.
- Adjust the finderscope’s alignment screws (usually three or six knobs around its bracket). Turn them slowly until the crosshairs are precisely on the same object you see in the main telescope.
- Double-check by looking back through the main eyepiece. If it’s still centered, your finderscope is aligned. A good daytime alignment makes nighttime targeting much easier.
Step 4: Setting Up at Night
Take your telescope outside at least 30 minutes before you want to observe. This lets the optics cool down to the outside air temperature, which stabilizes the image. Set up on solid, level ground. If you have a tripod, extend the legs to a comfortable height. Make sure all locks are secure. If your telescope has a “GoTo” computerized mount, you’ll need to power it on with the correct batteries or an adapter. Now, start with the moon. It’s the easiest and most impressive target.
Step 5: Finding Your First Target (The Moon)
Remove the lens cap from the front of the telescope. Insert your lowest-power eyepiece (highest mm number) into the focuser. Loosen the locks on your mount so you can move the telescope freely. Point the telescope roughly at the moon. Look through your finderscope and adjust the telescope’s position until the moon is in the center of the finderscope’s crosshairs. Now, look through the main eyepiece. The moon should be there, even if it’s just a bright blob. Turn the focus knob slowly back and forth until the image becomes sharp and clear. Congratulations! You’ve just used your telescope.
Step 6: Focusing and Changing Eyepieces
Focusing is a gentle process. Always turn the knob slowly. If the object gets worse, turn the knob the other direction. Once you have a sharp view of the moon, you can try a higher-power eyepiece (lower mm number, like 10mm). Gently remove the current eyepiece and insert the new one. You will likely need to refocus slightly. Higher power isn’t always better; it magnifies atmospheric turbulence, making the image shakier. On nights of poor “seeing,” stick to lower powers.
Step 7: Moving On to Planets and Stars
After the moon, try bright planets like Jupiter or Saturn. You can use a free astronomy app on your phone to find where they are in the sky. The process is the same: use the finderscope to center the bright “star” (which is actually the planet), then look through the main eyepiece. At medium to high power, Jupiter will show its cloud bands and moons, and Saturn will reveal its stunning rings. For stars, they will always appear as points of light, but you can enjoy beautiful double stars or colorful stars.
Using Specific Types of Celestron Telescopes
While the basics are the same, different designs have small quirks. Here’s what to know about the most common Celestron types.
Using a Celestron Refractor Telescope
These telescopes use lenses at the front of a long tube. They are often low-maintenance and great for lunar, planetary, and terrestrial viewing. A key accessory is the star diagonal. It’s a mirror or prism that bends the light 90 degrees, allowing you to look comfortably into the eyepiece when the telescope is pointed high up. Always insert your eyepiece into the star diagonal, not directly into the focuser tube. Refractors may show color fringes (chromatic aberration) on very bright objects; this is normal for some models.
Using a Celestron Reflector Telescope
These use a mirror at the bottom of the tube. They offer great aperture for the price. A critical step for reflectors is collimation—ensuring the mirrors are perfectly aligned. A quick check: on a starry night, de-focus a bright star. You should see a series of concentric circles. If the pattern is badly skewed, the telescope needs collimation. Celestron often includes a simple collimation cap, and many online tutorials can guide you through the simple process. Also, the eyepiece is located on the side of the tube near the front, which can take some getting used to.
Using a Celestron Compound (SC) Telescope
Compound telescopes, like Schmidt-Cassegrains (SCT), use a combination of mirrors and a corrector plate. They are compact and versatile. The focus knob on an SCT is usually at the back of the telescope and moves the primary mirror. It has a different feel than a refractor’s focuser; small turns make a big difference. Be patient. Also, because the tube is sealed, allow extra time for the internal air to equalize with the outside temperature to avoid blurry views.
Mastering Celestron’s Computerized “GoTo” Mounts
Celestron’s NexStar and similar mounts can automatically point to thousands of celestial objects. But they must be set up correctly first.
The Initial Alignment Process
This is the critical step for GoTo success. The mount needs to know where it is and what time it is to calculate where objects are.
- Set up the telescope on a level surface. This is non-negotiable for accuracy.
- Power on the hand control. It will prompt you for information.
- Enter the date, time, and your location (usually via zip code or city selection). Be precise.
- The mount will then ask you to perform an alignment. The most common method is “SkyAlign.” You will be instructed to point the telescope at three bright stars, one at a time, and center them in the eyepiece. Use the hand control’s arrow keys to slew the telescope, and press “ENTER” when each star is centered.
- After the third star, the mount will calculate its model of the sky. If successful, it will display “Alignment Successful.” You can now select any object from its database, and the telescope will slew to it.
If alignment fails, double-check your time, date, and level. Try choosing different, well-spaced bright stars. Sometimes the initial “home” position (pointing north and level) matters for some models—check your manual.
Maintaining and Troubleshooting Your Telescope
A little care goes a long way. Always store your telescope in a dry place. Keep dust caps on when not in use. To clean optics, use a rocket blower first to remove loose dust. Only use specialized lens tissue and cleaner for stubborn smudges, and apply gently. Never wipe a dry lens. For the mount, keep moving parts free of sand and dirt. If your views are consistently blurry, check that your eyepieces are clean and that the telescope has cooled down. If the mount feels stiff or jerky, check for obstructions or low battery power. Computerized mounts are sensitive to low voltage.
Beyond the Basics: Tips for Better Viewing
- Let Your Eyes Adjust: Spend at least 20 minutes in the dark for your night vision to fully develop. Use a red flashlight to preserve it.
- Star Hop: Learn to navigate from bright stars you know to fainter objects. This is a rewarding skill that doesn’t require electronics.
- Keep a Log: Note what you saw, the date, the eyepiece used, and the viewing conditions. It’s fun to look back on your progress.
- Join a Club: Local astronomy clubs are full of helpful people who can offer hands-on advice and let you look through different telescopes.
- Be Patient: Some nights the air will be turbulent, making high-power views poor. Other nights will be crystal clear. Enjoy each session for what it offers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why can’t I see anything through my Celestron telescope?
This is the most common issue. First, ensure all lens caps are removed. Second, start with your lowest-power eyepiece. Third, make sure you are roughly pointed at a bright, distant object (like the moon) and that the finderscope is aligned. Finally, turn the focus knob through its full range slowly. It’s almost always a focusing or aiming issue.
How do I use a Celestron telescope to see planets?
Use an app to find where the planet is in the sky. Start with a low-power eyepiece to center it using your aligned finderscope. Then, switch to a higher-power eyepiece (like a 10mm or 8mm) to see details. Remember, planets are small, so high magnification is key, but only on nights of steady air.
What do the numbers on my Celestron eyepieces mean?
The number is the focal length in millimeters (e.g., 25mm). A higher number means lower magnification but a wider, brighter view. A lower number gives higher magnification but a dimmer, narrower view. Always start observing with your highest mm (lowest power) eyepiece.
My Celestron GoTo mount won’t align. What should I do?
Check these things: Is the tripod perfectly level? Is the time, date, and time zone entered correctly? Did you choose bright, unmistakable stars (not planets) for alignment? Are the batteries fresh? Weak batteries cause erratic motor behavior. If all else fails, try the “Auto Two-Star” alignment method instead of SkyAlign.
How do I maintain my Celestron telescope’s optics?
Avoid cleaning them unless absolutely necessary. Use a soft brush or air blower to remove dust. For fingerprints or smudges, use optics cleaning fluid and microfiber cloth designed for lenses. Apply the fluid to the cloth, not directly to the glass, and wipe gently in a circular motion from the center outward.
Can I use my Celestron telescope to look at things on land?
Yes, most telescopes can be used for terrestrial viewing. However, astronomical telescopes often produce an upside-down or mirror-reversed image. This is normal and doesn’t affect space viewing, but it can be confusing for looking at landscapes. Some models allow you to add an erecting prism to correct the image.
Getting the hang of your telescope takes a few sessions. Start with easy targets like the Moon and bright planets. Master the finderscope alignment and basic focusing. With each use, things will become more intuitive. The universe is out there waiting, and your Celestron telescope is the tool to bring it closer. Clear skies!