Celestron FIRSTSCOPE 60 EQ User Manual

TELESCOPE OPERATION — GETTING SET UP
Setting Latitude
Loosen the polar axis knob (16) with one hand, while holding the equatorial mount with the other hand. Look at the
latitude scale (17) on the side of the mount, then set the mount at the latitude of your location. If you don’t know
your latitude, it can be found on a road atlas of your area. Once the latitude is set, tighten the polar axis knob. This
only has to be done once for any given latitude, and then readjusted if the telescope is used at a different latitude.
Adjusting and Balancing Declination and Right Ascension
To move the telescope in declination (north/south) there are two options. For large and quick movements, release
the declination knob (22), move the telescope in the direction of the object you want to view, then tighten the knob
when you’re near the object. For very small movements and fme adjustments, use the declination cable (18). The
decimation cable has a range of about 30°. If you get to the end of this range but haven’t yet reached the object
you’re trying to view, you’ll want to loosen the declination lock for greater movement. Manually move the
telescope tube past the object you want to view, then use the slow motion control, in the opposite direction, to go
back to the object. Tighten the knob and reverse the direction of the declination cable. Do not try to force
movement when the declination cable has reached the end of its range. There are the same two options for moving
the telescope in right ascension (east/west). For large and quick movements, release the right ascension knob (24),
move the telescope toward the object you want to view, then tighten the knob when you’re near the object. For very
small movements and fme adjustments, use the right ascension cable (31). For quick horizontal movement, loosen
the horizontal adjustment knob.
In order for the telescope to move smoothly on both axes it must be properly balanced. To balance the right
ascension axis, move the counterweight shaft so it is parallel with the ground. Slowly release the right ascension
knob (24) and check to see if the optical tube moves. If the optical tube does move, then slide the counterweight up
or down the counterweight shaft until the optical tube remains stationary in a position parallel to the ground. When
you have achieved balance, tighten the counterweight lock nut. To balance the declination axis, follow the same
procedure, using the declination knob (22) and the tube mounting knob (28).
Focusing the Telescope and Aligning the Finderscope
This procedure will be easiest to do during daylight hours. Remove the front lens cover. Put a low power eyepiece
m the diagonal and position the telescope tube to look at an object about one mile away that’s easy to focus on, such
as a stop sign. You may need to use the declination and/or right ascension slow motion cables to get the object in
the center of your field of view. Use the focus knob to get the object in sharp focus. Remove the lens covers from
the finderscope and look through it If the object you’re observing either isn’t visible in the finderscope or isn’t
centered in its cross hairs, then you need to align the finderscope. Use the finderscope adjustment screws to align
the finderscope with the main telescope by tightening and loosening these screws until the object is centered m the
cross hairs.
Once the finderscope is aligned with the main telescope, it becomes a great tool for finding celestial objects because
it has a wide field of view. First, fmd the object you wish to view in the finderscope, then look at the narrower, but
much more powerful field of view in the main telescope for detailed views. If the image in the finderscope isn’t
sharply focused, turn the finderscope eyepiece (6) to get a focused image.
Don’t be alarmed when you look through the finderscope and telescope, and the object is upside down and reversed
left to right. This is normal with an astronomical telescope.
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Celestron FIRSTSCOPE 60 EQ Specifications

General

Brand	Celestron
Model	FIRSTSCOPE 60 EQ
Category	Telescope
Language	English