The first time you turn on the scope, you will need
to select the language. Press the number button
corresponding to the language you prefer, and
press ENTER.
1
The hand control will ask you for your observing
site location. Use the SCROLL buttons to select
“City Database” and press ENTER. Use the
SCROLL buttons to see the options and ENTER
once you have made your selection. You will
select your continent, country, state, and nearest
city from the list.
4
The display reads “NexStar SE Ready.” Press
ENTER to begin the alignment procedure.
2
Use the numeric keypad enter the current time.
Press ENTER to continue. Press UNDO to
backspace. If you entered the time in 12-hour
format, you will need to select AM or PM.
5
Use the SCROLL UP and SCROLL DOWN
buttons (located on #6 and #9 keys respectively)
to select “SkyAlign” then press ENTER.
3
1
CHOOSE A TARGET
Take the telescope outside during the day and
find 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.
4
ADJUST THE FINDERSCOPE
Without moving the telescope, use the two
adjustment knobs to move the finder around until
the red dot appears over the same object you are
observing in the telescope’s 25 mm eyepiece.
5
YOUR FINDERSCOPE IS NOW ALIGNED!
It should not require realignment unless it is
bumped or dropped.
3
LOOK THROUGH FINDERSCOPE
Once the object is centered in your 25mm
eyepiece, look through the finderscope and
locate the red dot.
2
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.
25 mm Eyepiece
Focus Knobs
The finder is one of the most important parts of
your telescope. It helps you locate objects and
center them in the eyepiece. The first time you
assemble your telescope, you need to align the
finder 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 filter!
Aligning the
Finderscope
Hand Control
Guide
Before you can begin using your NexStar 6SE or
8SE, you must set up your computerized hand
control and go through the SkyAlign alignment
procedure. For the NexStar SE to accurately
point to the objects in the sky, it must first be
aligned with known positions (stars) in the sky.
With this information, the telescope can create
a model of the sky, which it uses to locate any
object in its database.
