The Great Hunt

How to Find Planets with Stellarium and Your Telescope

Finding Jupiter or Saturn is much easier when your phone becomes a digital star map. Use a free app to point yourself in the right direction before aiming the telescope.

Set Up the App

Install Stellarium or SkySafari

Allow location access so the app matches your real sky.

Turn on sensor or AR mode

When you move your phone, the star map should move with it.

Search for Jupiter or Saturn

Use the search icon and follow the on-screen direction until the planet appears on your phone map.

Bring the Telescope Into the Hunt

Spot it with your eyes

Planets usually look like bright, steady stars. They often twinkle less than stars.

Center it in the finder scope

Move the telescope until the planet is centered in the finder scope red dot or crosshair.

Start with the 25mm eyepiece

Use low power first. Once centered and focused, switch to the 10mm eyepiece if conditions are steady.

Compass Acting Weird?

If the app points the wrong way, your phone compass may need calibration. Move your phone in a slow figure-8 motion for a few seconds, then try again.

Mentor’s Warning

The Earth is rotating. At higher magnification, Jupiter or Saturn will drift out of view. Gently nudge the telescope to keep it centered. This is normal.

Next Step

Keep going with the lesson that matches what you are trying to do next.