Glossary | Telescopes | GoTo control | Polar Alignment | All-Star Polar Alignment

Every equatorial mount must be polar-aligned. This means that the hour axis must be aligned parallel to the Earth's axis. This alignment is achieved by pointing at the star Polaris. However, Polaris is not always visible and finding the pole star with a polar finder is a demanding, gymnastic exercise.

Thanks to Celestron’s All-Star Polar Alignment, you just need to use any bright star to set up the telescope. It doesn't have to be Polaris, so you don't need a clear view to the north. In addition, this method also works in the Southern Hemisphere, where no star marks the celestial pole.

You then follow the detailed instructions on the hand-held controller display and after a few steps the mount is aligned, and indeed more precisely than with any other method!