How to Set Up a Computerized Telescope

Select a location for the telescope, away from street lights, buildings and bushes. The selected location should give an unobstructed view of the sky, while providing sufficient space to allow the viewer to freely move around the telescope. If the telescope is stored inside, move it outside at least 20 minutes before viewing, to allow the telescope's glass mirrors or lenses to adjust to the temperature change.

Orient the telescope so that the open end (with the big lens or opening) is facing north, and place the eyepiece with the widest field of view into the eyepiece holder. The bigger the number on the eyepiece, the wider the field of view. For example, many telescopes come with two eyepieces: a 9mm and a 25mm (or close to those two focal lengths). In this case, the 25mm eyepiece provides the widest field of view.

Level the telescope so that the base (the mount holding the telescope tube) is not tilted. Some telescopes have a built-in bubble level, but if yours does not, a short carpenter's level will work. If you are using a level, adjust the telescope base along two axes (place the bubble level pointing east/west and level the base, then place it pointing north/south and level the base).

Turn the telescope on and allow the computer to run through its start-up procedures. During the start-up process, you will need to enter the correct date and local time. The more accurate the entered time, the more accurate the telescope will be when moving from one object to another.

During the start-up process, you will be asked to enter the location of the telescope. In some cases, a built-in menu of major cities is provided and you can select one of these cities as the telescope's location. You may also enter the longitude and latitude or GPS coordinates. The more accurately you determine the position of the telescope, the more accurate the telescope will be when moving to objects in the sky.

You must select two guide stars on which to align the telescope. The computer within the telescope has a list of guide stars and you must use two of these. Begin by reviewing the list of guide stars. They can be viewed on the hand controller's LCD screen.

Select two guide stars visible from your present location at the time you are setting up and at the present time of year. Some stars are only visible during a limited time, so consult your star charts to find two suitable stars. You will need to use different guide stars during different seasons, so learn the location of a dozen or so guide stars.

Use the hand controller to move the telescope so that you have one of the guide stars within the telescope's field of view (so that you can see it in the eyepiece). Adjust the focus so that the star becomes a point of light. Then, using the hand controller, make slight adjustments until the star is positioned at the center of the field of view. On the guide star menu, "select" this star as one of the guide stars. Repeat this process with a second star. The telescope is now aligned and ready for use.