is centered in the telescope’s red
dot viewfinder. Then center it in the
MA25mm eyepiece. Next, re-tighten the
latitude lock.
4. If the above steps (1-3) were performed
with reasonable accuracy, your telescope
is now sufficiently well-aligned to the North
Celestial Pole for visual observations.
Once the mount has been polar-aligned as
described above, the latitude angle need
not be adjusted again, unless you move to a
different geographical location (i.e. a different
latitude). The only polar alignment procedure
that you need to perform each time you use
the telescope is to point the polar axis due
North, as described in step 1 above.
THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE
We have one very important rule that you
should always follow when using your
telescope: Have Fun!
Have a good time when you’re observing.
You may not know everything that there is to
know about a telescope or what all the sights
in the universe are, but that’s OK. Just point
and observe at first.
You will enjoy your telescope even more
as you learn more about it. But don’t be
scared off by difficult terms or complicated
procedures. Don’t panic! Just relax and enjoy
your scope.
You will begin to grow and learn more about
astronomy the more you observe. Go on
the internet or to the library and read some
books about the stars and planets. Read
about astronomers of old. Many of them
had telescope no bigger than the one you
are using right now. Galileo, who is one of
the first astronomers to use a telescope,
discovered four of the moons of Jupiter with a
telescope about the same size as yours (and
his didn’t even focus very well!).
OBSERVING
Observe during the daytime: Try out your
telescope during the daytime at first. It is
easier to learn how it operates and how to
observe when it is light.
Pick out an easy object to observe: A
distant mountain, a large tree, a lighthouse
or skyscraper make excellent targets. Point
the optical tube so it lines up with your object.
In Reflecting telescope models, objects will
appear upside down and backwards in this
model telescope due to the position of the
eyepiece.
Unlock the lock knobs: To move the
telescope, you will need to unlock the Right
Ascension (22, Fig. 3) and Declination (23,
Fig. 3) lock knobs (just rotate to unlock or
lock; when locking, only tighten to a “firm
feel,” do not over tighten).
Use the red dot viewfinder: If you have
not done so, align the viewfinder (24) with
the telescope’s eyepiece (19) as described
earlier. Look through the red dot viewfinder
until you can see the object. It will be easier to
10
Looking at or near the
Sun
will cause
irreversable
damage to your eye. Do not point this telescope at or near the Sun. Do not look through the telescope as it is moving.
