If your scope is “unguided” / “non-motorized” / “Push-To” etc.:
Preparation:
- Know what you’re looking for (Observing List? Why?, Example)
- Know its whereabouts (phone app? Sky map? Star Chart?)
- Know its Constellation
- Know its position relative to markers (How To Starhop)
Execution:
- Find the target’s Constellation
- Orient the scope towards the Constellation (as close as you can)
- Put your eyeball near the back of the scope
- Sight along the scope to align towards the target location
- Look in the finder. See if you can see it. If so, center it in the cross-hairs
- Look in the scope. Is it there? If not, move the scope around (small movements).
- Can try with a wider (lower power) eyepiece
- (repeat as necessary)
YouTube: How to Aim a Scope (talking through these points)
YouTube: How to Aim a Scope (video at the scopes)