Unbox and assemble the Celestron Astronmaster telescope first

Celestron Astromaster 130 - How to use, first and foremost, locate a good working area and assemble the scope. Follow the directions that came with your scope when putting it together. Then use the suggestions below to start using your new telescope.

Before going outside…

Muscle memory and repetition will eventually guide your hand to the correct controls. However, you'll need to access all of these in darkness when first getting started with a telescope. Spend some time with the scope - the following pointers should help:

Familiarize yourself with slewing the Celestron Astromaster 130 Telescope & its controls

Identify the two different axis of movement's slow motion controls. These are; the Declination (DEC) and Right Ascension (RA) axes. Each one features a huge slow-motion control knob as well as a locking knob to keep the telescope stationary on that axis.

Keep your hands on the telescope while unlocking the axes and moving it with your hands. Get a feel for the slow motion controls by slewing it around, locking it down, and then slewing it around some more. Take note of how the tube travels on each axis — an equatorial mount does not move up and down or left and right.

You won't be able to utilize the slow motion control for the right ascension axis if you have a motor drive control installed. Just remove the control if it’s causing obstruction by unlocking the axis and moving it manually.

Practice to rotate the focuser on the Celestron telescope to a position that’s accessible

As you point your reflector telescope in different directions, the focuser (where you look) becomes inaccessible or difficult to access.

Slacken the tube-ring thumbscrews holding the optical tube assembly (OTA) in place only enough to twist/rotate the tube within the rings that keep it in place to rectify this.

You can leave these slightly loose. Just enough to allow you to rotate the focuser into a more comfortable position if needed.

Celestron Astromaster 130 - How to use - Practice to make a few balancing tweaks with the tube

Try moving the tube up and down while rotating the tube within the tube rings.

You may need to adjust the weight of the scope from time to time while stargazing, for example, by adding a camera or changing eyepieces.

You may make tiny weight adjustments while out under the stars by sliding the tube within the tube rings.

Balance the telescope on both axes

A critical factor is that the telescope is balanced, and this is a vital skill to master when first learning to use a telescope.

This telescope can easily drift away from a target if the balance is off, destroying your experience. It also puts undue strain and wear on the mount mechanisms, resulting in instability. In the worst-case scenario, the telescope may drop, collide with the tripod, or even tumble over, resulting in damage.

Practice levelling the Celestron telescope mount

You must level the mount while setting up the telescope for a stargazing session. This allows the equatorial mount to be positioned and perform its function, making it simple to follow astronomical targets.

As part of your setup and polar alignment routine, practice and learn how to do this over time.

Set your latitude on the mount adjustment

Before going outside, adjust the stand's latitude to match your present latitude. Lock the latitude adjustment bolt first. Then set the latitude dial to match your current latitude.

Celestron Astromaster 130 - How to use - Do a practice setup run-through during the day

Carry, set up, and level the stand in daylight to familiarize yourself with the controls and leveling.

In some cases, the optical tube can be removed from the mount for carrying/transportation. When reassembling the tube, make sure the dovetail mounting screws are firmly tightened.

Orient the mount stand to the celestial pole, indicated by an arrow on the mount head.

Finally pick a suitable site and target

It's easy to spend hours setting up only to miss your aim!

Before you walk outside, plan where you will put up the telescope to avoid disappointment.