Celestron NexStar 130SLT User Manual

Extend tripod legs 6 to 8 inches by
loosening the tripod leg locking knob
and pulling the leg to desired length and
re-tightening knob.
Assemble tripod by spreading the legs
out until the center leg brace is fully
extended.
Item #31132
Quick Set-up Guide
1
2
3
All three legs should be the same length to
provide a level platform for the telescope. A
bubble level is included (inset) to assist in leveling.
4
7
Hold the telescope fork arm and place
the bottom of the base inside the tripod
mounting platform as shown.
Place accessory tray on top of center leg
brace by lining up the grooves on the
tray to the post on the brace.
5
Once grooves are aligned, turn accessory
tray until it snaps into the clips on each
leg brace.
6
Thread the coupling screw into
the hole at the bottom of the fork arm
base. Tighten screw to secure the
entire fork arm.
8
Slide the optical tube dovetail into the fork
arm as shown above.
9
NexStar 130SLT
Your NexStar 130SLT includes: optical tube;
fork arm; pre-assembled tripod;
computerized hand control; hand control
holder; two eyepieces; finderscope;
accessory tray; documentation including an
owner’s manual, The Sky® CD and NSOL
Telescope Control Software.
Item #31145
Coupling screw

Celestron NexStar 130SLT Specifications

General

Focal Length	650 mm
Focal Ratio	f/5
Mount Type	Computerized Alt-Azimuth
Optical Design	Newtonian Reflector
Highest Useful Magnification	307x
Computerized	Yes
Database	4, 000+ Objects
Lowest Useful Magnification	19x
Limiting Stellar Magnitude	13.1
Resolution (Rayleigh)	1.07 arc seconds
Resolution (Dawes)	0.89 arc seconds
Light Gathering Power	345x
Tracking Rates	Sidereal, Solar, Lunar
Tracking Modes	Alt-Az
Communication Ports	RS-232
Aperture	130 mm
Finderscope	StarPointer
Optical Coatings	Aluminum
Tripod	Steel
Eyepieces	25mm (26x)
Alignment Procedure	SkyAlign
Power Requirements	12 VDC (8 AA batteries - not included)
Weight	18 lbs (8.16 kg)

Summary

Quick Set-up Guide

Assemble Tripod

Spreading tripod legs and extending center leg brace.

Extend Tripod Legs

Loosening leg knobs, extending legs to desired length, and re-tightening.

Leveling Tripod Legs

Ensuring legs are same length for a level platform using bubble level.

Attach Accessory Tray

Placing tray on brace and aligning grooves to snap into clips.

Mount Fork Arm to Tripod

Placing fork arm base onto tripod mounting platform.

Secure Fork Arm

Threading and tightening coupling screw to secure fork arm base.

Mount Optical Tube

Sliding optical tube dovetail into the fork arm.

Secure Optical Tube

Tightening screw inside fork arm to secure optical tube.

Attach Finderscope

Loosening screw, sliding finderscope into mounting platform.

Secure Finderscope

Tightening screw to secure finderscope, ensuring glass window faces front.

Insert Eyepiece

Selecting and inserting the low power (25mm) eyepiece.

Attach Hand Control Holder

Attaching the plastic holder for the hand control to a tripod leg.

Install Hand Control

Sliding the computerized hand control into its holder.

Connect Hand Control

Plugging the computerized hand control into the fork arm port.

Remove Lens Cap

Remembering to remove the telescope's tube lens cap before viewing.

Insert Batteries

Inserting 8 AA batteries into the battery compartment at the fork arm base.

Hand Control Guide

Power On and Initial Display

Turning the power switch on and observing the hand control display.

Understanding Directional Buttons

Identifying directional buttons for telescope movement, not menu scrolling.

Align Finderscope

Turning on the red LED light and removing the protective disk.

Center Object for Alignment

Centering a distant object in the eyepiece using directional buttons.

Adjust Slew Speed

Changing motor slew speed using the RATE button (1-9).

Adjust Finderscope Alignment

Using adjustment knobs to align the red dot with the centered object.

Prepare for Telescope Alignment

Turning off the finderscope LED and preparing for telescope alignment at night.

Begin Alignment Procedure

Pressing ENTER when the display reads NexStar SLT to start alignment.

Select Alignment Method

Using scroll buttons to select 'SkyAlign' and pressing ENTER.

Enter Site and Time Information

Using UNDO to enter site and time details if this is the first use.

Select City Database

Choosing the closest city from the database for accurate location.

Enter Time Information

Using the numeric keypad to enter time details and continuing.

Select Time Zone

Verifying and selecting the correct time zone using scroll buttons.

Enter Date

Using the numeric keypad to enter the current date.

Slew to Alignment Object

Using directional arrows to move the telescope towards a celestial object.

Center Alignment Star

Centering the alignment star in the eyepiece and pressing ALIGN.

Align Second Object

Centering a second bright object and pressing ALIGN.

Confirm Alignment

Repeating alignment for a third star and confirming the match.

Find First Object

Pressing TOUR to display a list of visible objects for the current date/location.

View Object Information

Pressing INFO to read object details or DOWN to see the next object.