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How to Use a Celestron C4.5 Astronomical Telescope

Whether you want to take astronomy seriously, or just gaze up into the night sky, the Celestron C4.5 telescope can do what you need. The C4.5 is a Newtonian reflector telescope, meaning it uses a large cylinder to collect light and direct it at a mirror at its base. The light is then directed to a second mirror, which sends it through the eyepiece. For anyone who has only used refractor or compound telescopes, the operation of a Newtonian reflector telescope might not be obvious.

Instructions

- 1
  Slide an eyepiece into the eyepiece holder located on the top of the telescope. The chrome part of the eyepiece will slide into the holder. Turn the screw on the side of the eyepiece holder to tighten the eyepiece into place. The higher the number on the side of the eyepiece, the less magnification it has, so choose one according to your needs. It is better to use lower magnification first, since it's easier to find celestial objects when using a larger field of view.
- 2
  Turn the switch, called the right ascension clamp, located on top of the first cylinder directly above the base. The telescope can now rotate along its east/west axis. Tighten the clamp when the telescope is in position.
- 3
  Loosen the clamp, called the declination clamp, located on the side of the first cylinder under the telescope. The telescope can now rotate on its north/south axis. Tighten the clamp when the telescope has been positioned.
- 4
  Fine tune the right ascension by rotating the right ascension slow motion knob located on the bottom of the cylinder just below the telescope. Fine tune the declination by rotating the declination slow motion knob located on the top of the cylinder just below the telescope.
- 5
  Rotate the knobs directly below the eyepiece holder to focus the telescope. Turn either of the knobs clockwise to focus on an object far away and counterclockwise to focus on an object that appears closer to you.
- 6
  Place your eye against the eyepiece to view the object through the telescope. If you are looking through glass or haze, it may be difficult to focus. Remove your glasses, if you wear them, unless you have astigmatism.

Astronomy