1. Professional Development session: Alignment and Operation of computerized telescope for astronomy instructor
Ricky Tsui EDUC 630

2. Objectives Goal 1: Students will align the computerized telescope
Student Learning Outcome : Align the computerized telescope
correctly with the celestial objects
Goal 2: Students will operate the computerized telescope in order to
slew to celestial objects automatically
Student Learning Outcome : Locate accurately the celestial objects
with the computerized telescope

3. Telescope Assembly Step 1. Preparing the Tripod
Unlock the tripod leg locks
Extend tripod legs.
Lock the leg locks afterwards.

4. Telescope Assembly Step 1a.
Stand the telescope's tripod upright by spreading the tripod's legs out uniformly.
Attach the Accessory Tray to the Tripod Support

5. Telescope Assembly Step 2. Attaching the mount
Insert Azimuth Lock Screw into the hole on the tripod
Turn the Azimuth Lock Screw to secure the mount.

6. Telescope Assembly Step 3. Installing batteries
Pull off the battery compartment cover and install 8 AA batteries.

7. Telescope Assembly Step 4. Attaching telescope
Attach telescope to mount using the dovetail lock knob

8. Telescope Assembly Step 5. Attaching optics Insert 90º diagonal
Insert the eyepiece: Slide the supplied 25mm eyepiece into the open end of the diagonal.
Use the focus knob to bring objects into focus.

9. Telescope Assembly Step 6. Connecting hand controller
Plug hand controller into any one of the HBX (handbox) ports on the mount using supplied coiled cable.
Turn on power.
Now you are ready to observe. Use the 4 Arrow keys (▲▼◄►) to rotate the scope Up, Down, Left, and Right.
Use the SPEED key to change the slew speed from the slowest (2X) to the fastest (MAX).

10. Level the Mount

11. Initial Position

12. Video on alignment and operation
Video source:

13. Summative assessment:
Assemble the telescope and align with Two Stars Align function.
Locate precisely three different deep sky objects by only using Select and Slew function at the computerized telescope

14. Precautions Use fully-charged batteries
Use red light torch for illumination in outdoors session

15. Let’s go outdoors to practice now !!!

16. References
iOptron (2008). iOptron SmartStar Solar 60 manual. Retrieved from
Tsui, R. (2016, February 20). How to align and operate iOptron Smartstar Solar 60 computerized telescope video. Retrieved from