Aligning the finderscope – Celestron 31058 User Manual

Page 25

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Accurate alignment of the finder makes it easy to find objects with the tele-

scope, especially celestial objects. To make aligning the finder as easy as

possible, this procedure should be done in the daytime when it is easy to find

and identify objects. The G-8N finderscope has a spring-loaded adjustment

screw that puts pressure on the finderscope while the remaining screws are

used to adjust the finder horizontally and vertically. To align the finder:

1

Choose a target that is in excess of one mile away. This eliminates any

possible parallax effect between the telescope and finder.

2

Release the R.A. and DEC clamps and point the telescope at your target.

3

Center your target in the main optics of the telescope. You may have to

move the telescope slightly to center it.

4

Adjust the screw on the finder bracket that is on the right (when looking

through the finder) until the cross hairs are centered horizontally on the

target seen through the telescope.

5

Adjust the screw on the top of the finder bracket until the cross hairs are

centered vertically on the target seen through the telescope.

Image orientation through the finder is inverted (i.e., upside down and back-

wards left-to-right). This is normal for any finder that is used straight-through.

Because of this, it may take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the

directional change each screw makes on the finder.

22 • Telescope Basics

Aligning the Finder

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