Attaching the Finderscope

1.Remove the two small, silver thumbscrews located at the back of the telescope tube. See Figure 2.

2.Place the finderscope bracket over the two holes in the telescope tube, lining up the holes on the finderscope bracket with those in the telescope tube.

3.Insert the thumbscrews through the finderscope bracket and thread them into the telescope tube.

Aligning the Finderscope

1.Locate a distant daytime object and center it in a low power eyepiece in the main telescope.

2.Look through the finderscope and take notice of the position of the same object.

3.Without moving the main telescope, turn the adjustment thumb screws located around the finderscope bracket until the crosshairs of the finder are centered on the alignment object.

Finding Objects

1.Loosen the altitude locking screw (3) on the base of tripod head (4), then move the telescope in the desired direction.

2.Look through the finderscope and pan the telescope until the object appears in the field of view. Once it’s in the field, tighten the altitude and azimuth locks.

Focusing

1.Once you have found an object in the telescope, turn the focusing knob (6) until the image is sharp.

2.To focus on an object that is nearer than your current target, turn the focusing knob toward the eyepiece (i.e., so that the focusing tube moves away from the front of the telescope). For more distant objects, turn the focusing knob in the opposite direction.

3.To achieve a truly sharp focus, never look through glass windows or across objects that produce heat waves, such as asphalt parking lots.

Image Orientation

1.When observing with a diagonal, the image will be right side up, but reversed from left to right.

2.When observing straight through, with the eyepiece inserted directly into the telescope, the image will be inverted. Also, the image in the finderscope is inverted.

Magnification

The magnification (or power) of a telescope varies depending upon the focal length of the eyepiece being used and the focal length of the telescope.

The PowerSeeker 50 telescope has a focal length of 600mm and comes with a 20mm 1¼" eyepiece. To calculate magnification, use the following formula, in which FL = focal length:

FL (telescope) in mm

Magnification = FL (eyepiece) in mm

Therefore, if you use the 20mm eyepiece your magnification is 600/20 = 30x. The same formula can be applied to any Important! of your eyepieces.

Magnification through any telescope has its limits. These limits are determined by the laws of optics and the nature of the human eye. Most of your viewing will be done in the range of 30x to 100x. Higher powers are used mainly for lunar and sometimes planetary observing where you can greatly enlarge the image and the atmospheric conditions are near perfect. The images at extremely high powers magnify the image, but remember that the contrast will be very low due to the high magnification. For the brightest images with the most contrast, start by using the lower power eyepiece with a smaller image scale.

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Celestron Power Seeker 50 Attaching the Finderscope, Aligning the Finderscope, Finding Objects, Focusing, Magnification
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Power Seeker 50 specifications

The Celestron PowerSeeker 50 is an entry-level telescope designed to provide novice astronomers with an accessible way to explore the night sky. It features a compact and lightweight design, making it easy to transport and set up, ideal for families and beginners eager to embark on their astronomical journeys.

One of the main features of the PowerSeeker 50 is its 50mm aperture. This allows users to gather enough light to view celestial objects in detail, from the craters of the Moon to the rings of Saturn and even some deep-sky objects like star clusters. The telescope comes equipped with a 350mm focal length, which provides adequate magnification for observing the planets and the Moon.

The PowerSeeker 50 is built with a simple and user-friendly design that makes it easy to operate. The telescope features a lightweight aluminum tripod that provides stability while remaining easy to carry. Its mount is an azimuth type, allowing for smooth up-and-down and side-to-side movements. This simplicity is particularly beneficial for beginners who may feel overwhelmed by more complex telescope models.

In terms of optics, the Celestron PowerSeeker 50 utilizes high-quality glass lenses that provide clear images. The telescope comes with two eyepieces: a 20mm and a 4mm. This variety allows users to switch between lower and higher magnification, making it versatile for different types of objects in the sky.

A prominent technology in the PowerSeeker 50 is its finderscope, which is crucial for locating celestial objects. The included optical finderscope has a red-dot sighting system, enabling users to easily point the telescope at objects of interest. This feature is particularly useful for beginners who may struggle with aligning their telescope without assistance.

The Celestron PowerSeeker 50 also includes an easy-to-follow instruction manual that guides users in setting up the telescope, as well as tips for observing various celestial bodies. This hands-on approach encourages curiosity and learning for those new to astronomy.

In conclusion, the Celestron PowerSeeker 50 is a fantastic introductory telescope, combining portability, ease of use, and quality optics. Its sturdy design, innovative technologies, and thoughtful features make it a solid choice for beginners seeking to explore the wonders of the universe. As users become more familiar with their telescope, the PowerSeeker 50 will help ignite a lifelong passion for astronomy.
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