Things You'll Need
Instructions
Altitude-Azimuth Mount
Lay the altitude-azimuth mount flat on the ground. Loosen the leg thumbscrews. Extend the tripod legs all to the same length, and then tighten the thumbscrews on each leg.
Stand the tripod upright on a flat surface. Loosen the thumbscrews on the altitude-azimuth mount's mounting bracket.
Slide the telescope's mounting plate into the mounting bracket. Tighten the thumbscrews to secure the telescope to the mount.
Equatorial Mount
Lay the equatorial mount flat on the ground. Loosen the leg thumbscrews. Extend each tripod leg to the same length. Tighten the thumbscrews on each leg. Stand the mount upright on a level surface.
Turn the tripod so that the counterweight bar -- the metal pole extending from the center of the mount -- faces north.
Look north and locate the North Star above the horizon. The North Star lies at an angle above the northern horizon equal to your latitude. Consult a road map or atlas if you don't know your latitude. Look straight up at the top of the sky, its zenith. An angle of 90 degrees separates the zenith from the horizon. Estimate the distance above the horizon equal to your latitude. For example, if you live at 40 degrees North latitude, look a little less than halfway between the zenith and horizon. You should see the North Star in this location. Consult a planisphere if you have difficulty locating the North Star.
Release the latitude lever on the mount. Tilt the mount until the latitude scale on the side of the mount is equal to your viewing latitude. If viewing at 37 degrees North, for example, the latitude scale reads "37." Lock the latitude lever.
Align your head with the mount's polar axis, the center of the mount where the telescope sits. Look at the North Star and point the polar axis directly at it. The equatorial mount is now polar aligned, which will let you find and track celestial objects.
Loosen the thumbscrews on the equatorial mount's mounting bracket. Slide the telescope's mounting plate into the bracket and tighten the thumbscrews to secure it to the mount.
Remove the counterweight lock from the end of the counterweight bar. Slide the counterweight onto the bar and reattach the counterweight lock.