ExloraScope User Guide TL**.qxd 4/9/04 10:00 AM Page 1 ExloraScope User Guide TL**.qxd 4/9/04 10:00 AM Page 2 Proper Use & Safety Never look directly at the sun with the naked eye or with a telescope unless you have the proper solar filter. Permanent and irreversible eye damage may result. CAUTION! Never touch the lens in the eyepiece or the mirrors inside the telescope. Never allow objects or excess moisture inside the telescope. Never use your telescope to project an image of the sun onto any surface. Internal heat build-up can damage the telescope and any accessories attached to it. Never leave the telescope unsupervised, either when children are present or adults who may not be familiar with the correct operating procedures of your telescope. Always handle the eyepiece gently by the sides. Always treat your ExploraScope with care--it can be broken if handled roughly. ExloraScope User Guide TL**.qxd 4/9/04 10:00 AM Page 1 Welcome Your New Celestron ExploraScope Your new ExploraScope is designed for use by the entire family and works equally well for celestial (night sky) or terrestrial (land) observing. The possibilities for fun and learning are limitless! Be sure to read this entire manual for the safest and most rewarding use of your ExploraScope. Pay special attention to safety warnings and always supervise small children. 1 Reusable Box Eyepiece Dust Cap ExploraScope Eyepiece Your ExploraScope includes: · ExploraScope telescope & strap · Swivel base · 44x eyepiece with dust cap · Protective front cover · Adjustable focuser · Tripod adapter · Reusable storage & carrying box · Setup & User's Guide Optional accessories are also available from your Authorized Celestron Dealer. See the inside back cover for more information. Focuser Swivel Base Tripod Adapter Front Cover ExploraScope Technical Specifications Diameter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80 mm Focal Length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .550 mm Eyepiece . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12.5 mm (44x) Field of View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1° Near Focus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 ft. Carrying Strap Setup & User's Guide ExloraScope User Guide TL**.qxd 4/9/04 10:00 AM Page 2 2 Assembly Assembling your ExploraScope is simple and should only take a few moments. Familiarize yourself with the parts of your telescope first, then follow the instructions below. Assembling the ExploraScope 1 2 4 1 2 Remove the eyepiece dust cap. Remove front cover and set it aside. Always use the front cover to protect the ExploraScope's internal components when not in use. Place the ExploraScope on its base. You have the option of using the scope with or without the base or with a tripod (see step 5). Turn the focuser to adjust the focus of objects being viewed as described in "Using Your ExploraScope." To use a standard camera tripod with your ExploraScope you must first attach the tripod adapter. Align the adapter screw and pin with the holes in the base of the scope and tighten. The ExploraScope is ready to be attached to a standard photo tripod. 3 4 5 3 That's all there is to it! If you are using the base or a tripod you will want to find a steady surface to set up on before observing. Use the carrying strap or shipping box to make transporting your ExploraScope safer and easier. 5 ExloraScope User Guide TL**.qxd 4/9/04 10:00 AM Page 3 Observing Tips How the ExploraScope Works Magnified Image Primary Mirror Eyepiece 3 The ExploraScope is a reflector type telescope, using two mirrors to gather and focus light at the eyepiece. This type of telescope has the advantage of a more compact size for a given aperture. The diameter of a telescope's aperture, or opening, is what determines its ability to see faint objects far away. Magnification power is determined by the eyepiece. Celestron offers other eyepieces for your ExploraScope to increase the magnification or increase the field of view at lower magnifications. Please see the optional accessories section. To remove the eyepiece, rotate the focuser clockwise until the eyepiece is fully extended. Rotate the chrome eyepiece barrel counterclockwise until the eyepiece is removed. Using Your ExploraScope You may set the ExploraScope and observe by swiveling it on its base, or you can attach it to a tripod using the included tripod adapter. You may also simply hold the scope by the handles in your hands or on your lap. For celestial viewing, the stability provided by the base or a tripod are helpful since distant stars and planets can take time to locate and can move easily out of the field of view. For terrestrial observations holding the scope may work better since you can more easily point to the horizon and follow moving objects. To view an object, simply point and look through the eyepiece. To focus, slowly rotate the focuser until the image in the eyepiece is clear and sharp. To focus on an object that is closer than your current target, turn the focusing knob clockwise. For more distant objects, turn the focusing knob counter clockwise. Incoming Light Secondary Mirror Aperture ExloraScope User Guide TL**.qxd 4/9/04 10:00 AM Page 4 4 Observing Tips Terrestrial objects must be at least fifty feet away to be viewed clearly. You may view objects in the daytime sky such as aircraft and birds, but be careful never to view the sun with your ExploraScope or any other telescope without using the proper filtering equipment. When working with any optical instrument, there are a few things to remember to ensure you get the best possible image. If you wear corrective lenses (specifically glasses), you may want to remove them when observing with an eyepiece attached to the telescope. If you have astigmatism, corrective lenses must be worn at all times. 1 Avoid hazy skies and fog 2 1 Hazy skies, fog, and mist can make it difficult to focus when viewing terrestrially. The amount of detail seen under these conditions is greatly reduced. 2 Never look across or over objects that are producing heat waves. This includes cars and asphalt parking lots on hot summer days or building rooftops. Heat waves will distort the atmosphere and affect your view in many of the same ways as uneven window glass. 3 Never look through window glass. Glass found in household windows is optically imperfect. This inconsistency can and will distort images and affect your ability to focus the telescope. In most cases you will not be able to achieve a truly sharp image, while in some cases you may actually see double. Avoid looking over rooftops 3 Avoid looking through window glass ExloraScope User Guide TL**.qxd 4/9/04 10:00 AM Page 5 Star Hopping Star Hopping One way to find celestial objects is to use a process called "star hopping." Star hopping is done by using bright stars to "guide" you to an object. For successful star hopping it is helpful to know the field of view of your telescope. Your ExploraScope has a field of view of approximately 1°. Therefore, if you know an object is 3° away from your present location, you just need to move 3 fields of view towards the desired object. Let's try a popular example: The Andromeda Galaxy, also known as M31. 5 M32 M31 GREAT NEBULA GLORIA FREDERIKA NGC7662 OMEDA To find M31: NGC7 1 Locate the constellation of Pegasus, a large square visible in the fall in the eastern sky, moving toward a point overhead, and in winter months it's overhead moving toward the west. 2 Start at the star in the northeast corner--Alpha () Andromedae. 2 1 ExloraScope User Guide TL**.qxd 4/9/04 10:00 AM Page 6 6 Finding M31 continued... Star Hopping 3 Move northeast approximately 7° (seven fields of view). There you will find two stars of equal brightness--Delta () and Pi () Andromeda--about 3° apart. 4 Continue in the same direction another 8°. There you will find two stars--Beta () and Mu (µ) Andromedae--also about 3° apart. 5 Move 3° northwest-- the same distance between the two stars-- to the Andromeda galaxy. Star hopping to the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) is a snap, since all the stars needed to do so are visible to the naked eye. Using this technique you can locate many objects in the sky. NGC752 M32 CA 4 GREAT NEBULA M31 5 N ANDROMEDA 3 ExloraScope User Guide TL**.qxd 4/9/04 10:00 AM Page 7 Collimation Adjustment Collimation is the optical alignment of your telescope's mirrors. Your ExploraScope was collimated at the factory and should never need to be adjusted. If for some reason the telescope is dropped or damaged it may be necessary to adjust the alignment of the mirrors. Do not alter the collimation unless it's necessary. 7 1 Checking the Collimation 1 Remove the eyepiece: rotate the focuser clockwise until the eyepiece is fully extended. Rotate the chrome eyepiece barrel counterclockwise until the eyepiece is removed. 2 With the eyepiece removed, look down the focuser and you will see an image of the secondary mirror reflected back in the primary mirror. Primary Mirror 2 If the secondary mirror is not perfectly centered in the primary mirror then your telescope is out of alignment. To correct this, you must adjust the primary collimation screws located at the rear of the tube. Secondary Mirror ExloraScope User Guide TL**.qxd 4/9/04 10:00 AM Page 8 8 Correcting the Collimation Collimation Adjustment The ExploraScope has three holes at the rear of the tube for accessing collimaton adjustments. Each hole has a alignment screw that will tilt the mirror when tightened or loosened. The center screw is not related to collimation and should not be adjusted. To align your ExploraScope: 3 3 Remove the caps covering each of the three collimation screws. Do not remove the cap in the center of the tube. Using a Phillips screw driver, adjust the collimation screws until the image of the secondary mirror moves towards the center of the primary mirror. In order to tighten a screw, it may be necessary to slightly loosen the remaining screws. 4 With both mirrors aligned you should see the silhouette of the secondary mirror positioned in the center of the primary mirror. 4 Carefully replace the rubber protective covers over the adjustment holes and replace the eyepiece To make collimation easier and more precise, Celestron offers an optional Collimation Tool (#94183) that aides in aligning your eye to the center of the optical path. Primary Mirror Secondary Mirror ExloraScope User Guide TL**.qxd 4/9/04 10:00 AM Page 9 Optional Accessories #93722 Sky Map Celestron Sky Maps are the ideal teaching guides for learning the night sky. Even if you already know your way around the major constellations, these maps can help you locate all kinds of fascinating objects. The front cover has a specially designed glow-in-the-dark planisphere that rotates to simulate the seasonal progression of celestial objects through the sky. More than a thousand stars and deep-sky objects are listed and charted. The illustrated reference section provides basic information and the visual characteristics of various types of stars, nebulae and galaxies. Additional Eyepieces Celestron offers additional eyepiece choices for your ExploraScope. The 6mm ExploraScope eyepiece (#93227) provides 92 times magnifying power, while the 25mm ExploraScope Eyepiece (#93226) provides 22 times magnifying power and an even wider field of view. #93588 Night Vision Flashlight Celestron 's premium model for astronomy, using two red LEDs to preserve night vision better than red filters or other devices. Brightness is adjustable. Operates on a single 9 volt battery (included). #93728 Peterson First Guide A simplified field guide to the stars, planets and the universe. A great road map for those starting out in astronomy. #93504 Exotherm Hand Warmer Perfect for chilly evenings outdoors camping, stargazing, or at sporting events, the Exotherm Hand Warmer is convenient, reusable, and made from non-toxic materials. Heat lasts up to one hour. #94183 Collimation Tool The optical performance of most Newtonian telescopes can be optimized by collimating, or realigning, the telescope's optics, as needed. This procedure is easily accomplished with Celestron 's Collimation Tool, a handy accessory that comes with detailed instructions. ExloraScope User Guide TL**.qxd 4/9/04 10:00 AM Page 10 Celestron Two Year Limited Warranty A. CELESTRON WARRANTS THIS TELESCOPE TO BE FREE FROM DEFECTS IN MATERIALS AND SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL CELESTRON WILL REPAIR OR REPLACE SUCH PRODUCT OR PART THEREOF WHICH, UPON INSPECTION BY CELESTRON, IS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE IN MATERIALS OR WORKMANSHIP. AS A CONDITION TO THE OBLIGATION OF CELESTRON TO REPAIR OR REPLACE SUCH PRODUCT, THE PRODUCT MUST BE RETURNED TO CELESTRON TOGETHER WITH PROOF-OFPURCHASE SATISFACTORY TO CELESTRON. WORKMANSHIP FOR TWO YEARS. DAMAGES OR LIMITATION ON HOW LONG AN IM ...