Celestron NexStar 130SLT Quick Set-up Guide

Telescope Assembly

1. Step 1: Unpack Components

   Your NexStar 130SLT includes: optical tube; fork arm; pre-assembled tripod; computerized hand control; hand control holder; two eyepieces; finderscope; accessory tray; documentation including an owner's manual, The Sky® CD and NSOL Telescope Control Software.

2. Step 2: Assemble Tripod

   Assemble tripod by spreading the legs out until the center leg brace is fully extended.

3. Step 3: Extend Tripod Legs

   Extend tripod legs 6 to 8 inches by loosening the tripod leg locking knob and pulling the leg to desired length and re-tightening knob.

4. Step 4: Level Tripod

   All three legs should be the same length to provide a level platform for the telescope. A bubble level (inset) is included to assist in leveling.

5. Step 5: Attach Accessory Tray

   Place accessory tray on top of center leg brace by lining up the grooves on the tray to the post on the brace.

6. Step 6: Secure Accessory Tray

   Once grooves are aligned, turn accessory tray until it snaps into the clips on each leg brace.

7. Step 7: Mount Telescope Fork Arm

   Hold the telescope fork arm and place the bottom of the base inside the tripod mounting platform as shown.

8. Step 8: Secure Fork Arm

   Thread the coupling screw into the hole at the bottom of the fork arm base. Tighten screw to secure the entire fork arm.

9. Step 9: Mount Optical Tube

   Slide the optical tube dovetail into the fork arm as shown above.

10. Step 10: Secure Optical Tube

    Secure optical tube to fork arm by tightening the screw located on the inside of the fork arm assembly.

11. Step 11: Attach Finderscope

    To attach the finderscope, loosen the silver screw and slide finderscope into mounting platform.

12. Step 12: Secure Finderscope

    Secure finderscope to mounting platform by tightening the silver screw. The glass window of the finderscope should be facing towards the front of the telescope.

13. Step 13: Insert Eyepiece

    Select the low power (25mm) eyepiece and insert it as shown above.

14. Step 14: Secure Eyepiece

    Tighten silver screw to secure.

15. Step 15: Attach Hand Control Holder

    Attach plastic hand control holder to the tripod leg.

16. Step 16: Connect Hand Control

    Slide Computerized Hand Control into the hand control holder as shown above.

17. Step 17: Plug in Hand Control

    Plug Computerized Hand Control into the "Hand Control" port on the fork arm.

18. Step 18: Remove Tube Cap

    Before you begin viewing, please remember to remove tube lens cap.

19. Step 19: Position Tube

    While observing, tube should be positioned as shown above.

20. Step 20: Insert Batteries

    Before you can use your telescope, you must insert 8 AA batteries.

21. Step 21: Battery Compartment

    Place AA batteries inside the battery compartment located at the base of the fork arm.

Hand Control Setup and Alignment

Before you can begin observing, you must set up your hand control, align your finderscope and align your telescope. Step by step instructions are included in the following Hand Control Setup section.

1. Step 1: Power On

   Turn power switch located on the side of the fork arm to "on" position. The light will come on and the hand control will display "NexStar SLT".

2. Step 2: Understand Controls

   You will notice that there are directional arrows in the center of the hand control. These only move the telescope. They cannot be used to scroll through menu features.

3. Step 3: Align Finderscope

   Turn on the red LED light by turning the knob shown above. When used for the first time, remove the clear plastic disk that is located between the battery clip and the battery. See inset.

4. Step 4: Aim at Object

   Use the hand control direction arrow buttons to point telescope at a distant land object, like a telephone pole or at night you can use the moon. Center and focus the object in the 25mm eyepiece of the telescope.

5. Step 5: Adjust Slew Rate

   In order to accurately center an object in the eyepiece it may be necessary to change the slew speed of the motors. To change the slew speed, press the RATE button then select a number from 1 (slowest) to 9 (fastest).

6. Step 6: Align Finderscope Dot

   With the object centered in the eyepiece, use the azimuth (right/left) and altitude (up/down) adjustment knobs on the finderscope to place the red alignment dot directly over the centered object.

7. Step 7: Confirm Finderscope Alignment

   Once you have aligned your finderscope, make sure to turn off the LED light to conserve the battery. Now you are ready to align the telescope. This will have to be done at night.

8. Step 8: Begin Alignment

   When the display reads NexStar SLT, press ENTER to begin the alignment procedure.

9. Step 9: Select Alignment Method

   Use the UP and DOWN scroll buttons to select "SkyAlign" then press ENTER. Now you will need to enter your site/time information.

10. Step 10: Enter Site Information

    The hand control will display the last entered time and site information. Since this is your first time using the NexStar, press UNDO to enter your site and time information.

11. Step 11: Select City Database

    Press ENTER to select City Database. Use the Up and Down scroll buttons and choose the closest city to your present location. Press ENTER after selecting the country, state and city.

12. Step 12: Enter Time Information

    Using the numeric key pad enter your time information. Press ENTER to continue. Press UNDO to backspace.

13. Step 13: Select Time Zone

    Now, using the Up and Down scroll buttons, verify the time zone you are in and press ENTER.

14. Step 14: Enter Date

    Using the numeric key pad enter the date. Press ENTER to continue. Press UNDO to backspace.

15. Step 15: Aim at First Alignment Star

    Use the directional arrow keys on the hand control to slew (move) the telescope towards any bright celestial object in the sky. Center the object in the finderscope and press ENTER.

16. Step 16: Center Star in Eyepiece

    If the finderscope has been properly aligned, the alignment star should now be visible in the field of view of the eyepiece.

17. Step 17: Align First Star

    The hand control will prompt you to center the bright alignment star in the center of the eyepiece. Once centered, press ALIGN. This will accept the star as your first alignment position.

18. Step 18: Aim at Second Alignment Star

    For the second alignment object, choose a bright star or planet as far from the first alignment object as possible. Once again use the directional arrow buttons to center the object in the finderscope and press ENTER. Once object is centered in the eyepiece, press ALIGN.

19. Step 19: Align Third Star

    Repeat the process for the third alignment star. When the telescope has been aligned to the final star, the display will read "Match Confirmed". Press UNDO to display the names of the three bright objects you aligned to, or press ENTER to accept these three objects for alignment.

20. Step 20: Find First Object

    Now that your telescope is properly aligned, you are ready to find your first object. Press the TOUR button on the hand control. The hand control will display a list of objects that are visible for the date and location entered.

21. Step 21: View Object Information

    Press INFO to read information about the object displayed. Press the DOWN scroll key to display the next object. Press ENTER to slew (move) to the displayed object.

Further Information

For general usage information, please consult your user's manual.

If you have questions or problems with set-up, please contact Celestron Technical Support: 310 803 5955