Lost in Space!! How to align?

On 11 Jan 2005 12:53:51 -0800, wrote:

I got for xmas a Meade ETX-70AT telescope...

Well, no luck with the aligment process. Follow every step found in dif
web sites, and nothing... =( I dont want to give up and leave the
telescope in the garage (or ebay!!)

I do have a few problems... I dont know anything about the stars (where
they are in space, names, etc).

I do level my telescope right, and is poniting to north and also try
with my true north. Enter also the right date and a very acurate time
into my autostar. But when I am doing the easy align (or well the
Autostar does it), well, it moves to a certain location but I dont see
that "bright star" that I am supose to see (even if i move around). I
am in the city so I am thinking that may be that could be a reason I
dont see that bright star (all look the same to me)

Since I dont know that much, well I'm not even sure if is point to the
right location (or close to it).

My questions are :

Where do I start?

I am trying to use xephem or the software that came with the telscope
so see if I can identify the stars, but, I still find "complex" how to
read the "sky view" map.
I was able to see the moon and all I can say is WOW.


How many stars can you see in the night sky 25, over 100? When I
lived in the city I could see around 30 stars naked eye.

Download yourself a copy of cartes du ciel for free play around with
it. Pick the brightest stars in the sky to try and identify. Once
you know 10 bright stars and where they are in the sky, you should be
able to align with ease.

Make certain your autostar controller is set to celestial and not
terrestrial as well.

Also setup your viewfinder so that whatever is in the viewfinder is
also in the regular eye piece. Try to focus on a tree or object a
mile away, and get them right on. Should make it easier for you to
get a "good" alignment.

Good luck,