21
VIEWING THROUGH YOUR
ZHUMELL DOBSONIAN TELESCOPE
CHECKING AND ALIGNING YOUR FINDERSCOPE
Finderscope alignment is the first step to fine-tuning your Zhumell
Dobsonian setup and viewing celestial objects. Follow these steps to
properly set up and align your finderscope.
1.
Insert the lowest-power eyepiece into the eyepiece adapter. Focus
eyepiece to view an easily recognizable, stationary distant object like a
sign or lightpole.
2.
Look through the finderscope, but be careful not to move the
telescope in any way. Adjust the finderscope focus by turning the
eyepiece of the finderscope back and forth until the image is in focus.
Check to see if the object viewed through your telescope eyepiece
is lined up at the center of the finderscope crosshairs. If not, your
finderscope must be re-aligned.
3.
To align your finderscope, slightly loosen the thumbscrews which on
the finderscope bracket. Gently move the finderscope until the cross-
hairs are centered on your object. Tighten the thumbscrews to secure
the finderscope in this position. It may take many tries to get it exactly
right, but it will make finding objects much, much easier when you’re
ready to use your telescope.
OBSERVATION TIPS
SELECTING A VIEWING SITE
The ideal site for using your Dobsonian is in the middle of nowhere. Most
users don’t have access to the darkest of skies, however, so select a
site that is both far from light pollution and practical for you. Avoid street
lights, yard lighting, rooftops, and chimneys, and never observe through
an open window indoors. Be sure your site is out-of-town or very dark
and has clear view of a large portion of the sky.
