CELESTRON ASTROMASTER 70 AZ Telescope User Guide

: June 3, 2024
: Celestron

Table of Contents

CELESTRON ASTROMASTER 70 AZ Telescope
BATTERY ACCESS INSTRUCTIONS
SOLAR WARNING
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

CELESTRON ASTROMASTER 70 AZ Telescope

CELESTRON-ASTROMASTER-70-AZ-Telescope-PRODACT-IMG

Your AstroMaster includes: Optical tube, StarPointer finderscope (with CR2032 3V battery), pre-assembled tripod with center leg brace and altazimuth mount attached, two eyepieces, erect image diagonal, accessory tray, lens cloth and a owner’s manual.

To set up the tripod, spread the legs outward until they are fully extended. Extend each of the three tripod legs down 6-12”.

Use the three tightening screws located at the bottom of each leg to secure the extended legs in place.

All three legs should be the same length to provide a level platform for the telescope.

To attach the accessory tray, line up notches and turn clockwise until tray tabs lock into place with the tripod brackets.

Properly assembled, the accessory tray should appear as pictured above.

Here is how the fully assembled tripod and mount should appear.

Next, slide telescope tube’s dovetail into the mount. Be sure to back out fastening screws to allow enough clearance for the dovetail.

Center dovetail in the mount and tighten fastening screw. For added security tighten the angled lock down screw next to the fastening screw.

Loosen the set screw on the focuser. Remove the plastic cap covering the end of the focuser.

Insert the diagonal into the focuser and tighten the set screw.

Insert the chrome barrel of the 20mm eyepiece into the diagonal and tighten the set screw.

Loosen the two Philips-head screws on the side of the finderscope and slide the clamp over the dovetail bracket. Secure the finderscope in place by tightening the two Philips-head screws.

Remove the small plastic tab under the battery cover by pulling it straight out. For longer battery life be sure to turn off finderscope when not in use.

Remove the lens cap from the front of the telescope before you begin observing.

You are now ready to start using your AstroMaster telescope.

The fi nder is one of the most important parts of your telescope. It helps you locate objects and center them in the eyepiece. The fi rst time you assemble your telescope, you need to align the fi nder to the telescope’s main optics. It’s best to do this during the day. SOLAR WARNING! Never attempt to view the Sun through any telescope without a proper solar fi lter!

CHOOSE A TARGET
Take the telescope outside during the day and fi nd an easily recognizable object, such as a streetlight, car license plate or sign. The object should be as far away as possible, but at least a quarter mile away.

CENTER THE TARGET IN THE EYEPIECE
Look through the telescope using your lower powered eyepiece. Move the telescope until the object you chose lies in the center of the view. If the image is blurry, gently turn the focus knobs on either side of the telescope until it comes into sharp focus. NOTE: The image in your telescope may appear inverted. This is perfectly normal in an astronomical telescope.

LOOK THROUGH FINDERSCOPE
Once the object is centered in your 20mm eyepiece, look through the fi nderscope and locate the red dot.

ADJUST THE FINDERSCOPE
Without moving the telescope, use the two adjustment knobs to move the fi nder around until the red dot appears over the same object you are observing in the telescope’s 20mm eyepiece.

YOUR FINDERSCOPE IS NOW ALIGNED
It should not require realignment unless it is bumped or dropped.

The best and easiest target for you to try to view fi rst is the Moon. Try observing the Moon at different points in its phase cycle. The best time to view the Moon is from two days after a New Moon up to a few days before a Full Moon. During this period, you will be able to see the most detail in the craters and lunar mountain ranges.

With the Moon visible in the sky, set up your telescope with the 20mm eyepiece installed. Move the telescope so that it is roughly pointing toward the Moon.

Look through the fi nderscope and locate the crosshair reticle. Continue moving the telescope until the crosshair appears over the Moon.

Look through the telescope’s 20mm eyepiece. Gently turn the focus knobs to adjust the sharpness of the image.

CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE NOW
OBSERVED YOUR FIRST CELESTIAL OBJECT!
To get a closer view of the Moon, loosen the set screws on the focuser and remove the 20mm eyepiece. Replace it with your 10mm eyepiece and tighten the set screws to secure it in place. The 10mm eyepiece will give you signifi cantly more magnifi cation, making the Moon appear much larger.
NOTE: You may need to adjust the focus knobs when you change eyepieces, so make sure you are getting the sharpest image possible.

You can view many other celestial objects, such as planets, star clusters and nebulae using this same technique if you know where to fi nd them in the night sky.

BATTERY ACCESS INSTRUCTIONS

The StarPointer finderscope is powered by a long life 3V lithium battery (#CR2032) located directly under the StarPointer’s front end.
To access the battery compartment, turn the StarPointer upside down. Using a Phillips head screwdriver, loosen the screw and lift up the battery cover. When replacing the battery, make sure to install the new battery with its positive terminal (+) facing outward. If the telescope will not be in use for a long period of time, it is recommended to remove the battery from the StarPointer.

WARNING: KEEP BATTERIES OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

Examine devices and make sure the battery compartment is correctly secured, e.g. that the screw or other mechanical fastener is tightened.
Do not use if compartment is not secure.
Dispose of used button batteries immediately and safely. Flat batteries can still be dangerous.
Tell others about the risk associated with button batteries and how to keep their children safe.

SOLAR WARNING

Never look directly at the Sun with the naked eye or with a telescope unless you have the proper solar filter. Permanent and irreversible eye damage may result.
Never use your telescope to project an image of the Sun onto any surface. Internal heat build-up can damage the telescope and any accessories attached to it.
Never use an eyepiece solar filter or a Herschel wedge. Internal heat build-up inside the telescope can cause these devices to crack or break, allowing unfiltered sunlight to pass through to the eye.
Do not leave the telescope unsupervised, especially when children or adults unfamiliar with the correct operating procedures of your telescope are present.

For more information on this product or to download the instruction manual, please visit the respective product page on celestron.com

NEED ASSISTANCE? CONTACT CELESTRON TECHNICAL SUPPORT

celestron.com/pages/technical-support