Aligning the Celestron NexStar 8SE

[gregg1ep00]

So last night I took the scope out for the first time, and did the SkyAlign alignment with a 25mm eyepiece. The alignment process was a snap. Only I noticed 10 minutes later that the GoTo mount wasn't properly aligning stars -- they would be just out of the FOV with a 25mm eyepiece.

What's the best way to align these scopes? I don't have the equatorial wedge, so maybe use a higher-powered eyepiece? I found it hard to judge the center of the eyepiece -- would an illuminated reticle eyepiece help me there, or is that used only for equatorial mounts?

[btoman]

Hi Again!

I have never done an alignment for one of these Goto scopes so I'm not much help personally. Hopefully we can get you an answer soon. (I may have to track down someone who DOES know and just doesn't use the forum often!)

Ben

[gregg1ep00]

Awesome, thanks. I found some people who said that as you're aligning, keep putting in higher-powered eyepieces and center the objects. Makes a lot of sense. It would be great if there was some sort of eyepiece that had a laser-illuminated center or something like that, something that you could actually place on the star to definitely say that you've centered the object in the eyepiece.

With all the technology we have at our disposal today, it really makes me have a profound respect and awe of the true scientists long ago who discovered most of what we attempt to see today with much better equipment.

[jbs1717]

I bought a 9mm crosshair diagonal for my SE. I do not remember where I bought it. maybe a google will get you to someone who has one. The 9mm eyepiece is built into the diagonal.