Anyone own a Celestron 11'' schmidt cassegrain?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter EIRE2003
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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on troubleshooting the auto three-star alignment process for the Celestron 11'' Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope mounted on a CG-5 mount. The user correctly set the time, date, and location for Dublin and aligned the finderscope with Polaris. However, upon selecting Betelgeuse as the first alignment star, the telescope incorrectly slewed towards the western horizon. Key issues identified include the alignment of the counterweight bar and the potential confusion between Betelgeuse and Procyon, as well as ensuring the telescope's home position is correctly set.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Celestron CG-5 mount setup
  • Familiarity with celestial navigation and star identification
  • Knowledge of telescope alignment techniques
  • Basic astronomy concepts, including the positions of stars like Betelgeuse and Procyon
NEXT STEPS
  • Research Celestron CG-5 mount alignment procedures
  • Learn about the differences between Betelgeuse and Procyon
  • Explore troubleshooting techniques for telescope alignment issues
  • Study the effects of time zone and geographic coordinates on telescope setup
USEFUL FOR

Astronomy enthusiasts, telescope operators, and anyone seeking to optimize the alignment process for Celestron telescopes, particularly those using the CG-5 mount.

EIRE2003
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Hi there,

I am using a celestron C11. But I really need some help with aligning it up through auto 3 star align.

The counter weight bar pointing approximately due north with the index marks aligned and locked.

I aligned the eyepiece with the finderscope on polaris.

I set the exact time and date, longitude and latitude for Dublin where I live.

I then selected auto three star alignment method.

I selected betelgeuse as my first alignment star, and that star was in the south east but when i clicked enter on it the telescope slewed down towards the western horizon.

What am I doing wrong??
 
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As a matter of fact, I do... :biggrin:
www.russsscope.net

However, I'm guessing yours is mounted on a Celestron CG-5 mount? Mine is on an Orion mount. But, maybe I can help...

I don't understand what you mean by this:
The counter weight bar pointing approximately due north with the index marks aligned and locked.
Since the counterweight shaft is the dec axis, it is always perpendicular to the polar axis. The hole through the center of the mount (if you don't have a polar alignment scope in it) should point at Polaris. Usually, the home position has the counerweight shaft pointed down and the scope pointed north (like the picture on the front of the manual).

Other things to check:
-Time Zone
-E vs W longitude
 
Last edited:
Yes its on a CG-5 mount.
I mean the counter weight bar is pointing down and the optical tube is pointing at polaris. And the index marks (the two pairs of triangles are aligned with each other).
 
Another possibility - Beetlegeuse is due south at sunset right now. Please don't be insulted, but you aren't mixing it up with Procyon, are you (which is in the southeast)?

The telescope and counterweights should be turning roughly parallel to the ground with the scope rotating something like 140 degrees around the dec axis. Is it actually pointed down at the ground or just lower and further south than you think it should?
 
No betelgeuse is the red supergiant star situated diagonally to rigel. And it was in the south when was I trying to align it.

The image I have attached indicates how the scope is aligned initially when pointing at polaris in the north. Is that right?
The tube points to the west on the horizon.
 

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