PowerSeeker 114 INSTRUCTION MANUAL #21045 INTRODUCTION Congratulations on your purchase and welcome to the Celestron world of amateur astronomy. Some of the terms and parts described in these instructions may be new to you, so a few commonly used terms you'll want to be familiar with are defined below. Equatorial mount ­ a type of mounting that allows the telescope to be aligned with the earth's axis in order to track the motion of the sky. Focal length - the distance from the optical center of the lens to the point where the incoming light rays converge, creating a clear, focused image. Primary Mirror - It gathers incoming light to create a sharply focused image. Reflecting telescope ­ an optical design in which light is reflected off of a curved mirror that converges the light into a small disk that is then magnified using an eyepiece. First, you need to take the time to familiarize yourself with the parts of your PowerSeeker telescope, then assemble it, following the easy instructions provided. Next, read over the operating instructions and become familiar with how your telescope works, to prepare for hours of viewing enjoyment. CAUTION: READ THIS SECTION BEFORE USING YOUR TELESCOPE Your PowerSeeker telescope is designed to give you hours of fun and rewarding observing. However, there are a few things to be aware of before using your telescope that will ensure your safety and protect your equipment. NEVER LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN WITH THE NAKED EYE OR WITH A TELESCOPE. NEVER POINT YOUR TELESCOPE AT THE SUN UNLESS YOU'RE USING THE PROPER SOLAR FILTER. PERMANENT AND IRREVERSIBLE EYE DAMAGE MAY RESULT. NEVER USE YOUR TELESCOPE TO PROJECT AN IMAGE OF THE SUN ONTO ANY SURFACE, OR USE AN EYEPIECE SOLAR FILTER OR A HERSCHEL WEDGE. INTERNAL HEAT BUILD-UP CAN DAMAGE THE TELESCOPE AND/OR ANY ACCESSORIES THAT MAY BE ATTACHED TO IT. NEVER LEAVE YOUR TELESCOPE UNSUPERVISED, ESPECIALLY WHEN CHILDREN ARE PRESENT. THIS ALSO HOLDS TRUE FOR ADULTS WHO MAY NOT BE FAMILIAR WITH THE CORRECT OPERATING PROCEDURES FOR YOUR TELESCOPE. ALWAYS COVER THE FINDERSCOPE WHEN USING YOUR TELESCOPE WITH THE CORRECT SOLAR FILTER. ALTHOUGH SMALL IN APERTURE, THIS INSTRUMENT HAS ENOUGH LIGHT GATHERING POWER TO CAUSE PERMANENT AND IRREVERSIBLE EYE DAMAGE. THE IMAGE PROJECTED BY THE FINDERSCOPE IS HOT ENOUGH TO BURN SKIN OR CLOTHING. 2 PowerSeeker 114 Figure 1-1 3 THE POWERSEEKER 114 Reflector The PowerSeeker is a Newtonian reflecting telescope that comes on an equatorial mount. This section instructs you on the proper assembly and use of your PowerSeeker telescope, which is shipped in one box, containing all the parts you need to assemble it. Unpack and lay out all of the parts in a large, clear area where you'll have room to work. Keeping track of the parts, use the list below and the telescope diagram to confirm you have, and can identify each part. PowerSeeker 114 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 5x24 Finderscope Eyepiece Focuser Draw Tube Tube Ring Locking Bolt Optical Tube Collimation Screws (not shown) Declination Slow Motion Control Latitude Adjustment Screw Tripod Mounting Head Tripod Leg Equatorial Head Mounting Screw 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. Accessory Tray Center Support Brace Tripod Tightening Screws Counterweight Counterweight Bar R.A. Slow Motion Control Equatorial Mount Declination Locking Screw Mounting Platform Focuser Finderscope Bracket Assembling Your Telescope To set up the tripod, locate the equatorial mount (18), the tripod legs (10), and the tripod mounting head (9). 1. 2. Slide the two top portions of each tripod leg around the sides of each flange on the tripod mounting head (9). Make sure that the tripod center support brace hinges (13) are located on the inside of the each leg. Slide the provided screws through the tripod leg and flange, until the screw extends out the other side mount (see Figure 1-2). Slide the washer and the nut over the screw and tighten. Tripod This can be left slightly loose, to allow for positioning the Mounting Head legs later, when attaching the accessory tray. (9) You are now ready to attach the tripod accessory tray. 3. The tripod tray fits over the holes in the tripod's center support brace (13). Insert the winged bolts through the holes in each of the tripod center support braces and thread them into the holes in the accessory tray. Tighten all bolts to ensure proper stability to the mount. Attaching the Equatorial Mount 1. 2. 3. Figure 1-2 Place the base of the equatorial mount (18) into the hole on the top of the tripod mounting head (9). Rotate the equatorial mount until the declination axis (where the counterweight bar (16) goes) is positioned over one of the tripod legs. Attach the mount to the tripod by threading the equatorial head mounting screw (11) into the bottom of the mount Before attaching the optical tube, the counterweight and slow motion controls should be added to the mount: 1. 2. Thread the counterweight bar (16) clockwise into the declination axis of the equatorial mount. Slide the counterweight over the counterweight bar and lock down the screw on the side of the counterweight. Locate the declination slow motion control (7) and attach to the mount by tightening the set screw on the control cable. See Figure 1-3. The set screw should be tightened down hard on the flat surface of the cable holder after 4 backing off the cable about 1/4" from being fully engaged. This method helps ensure there is no slippage when using the cable. 3. Locate the right ascension slow motion control (17) and attach it the same way as the declination cable was attached. Attaching the Optical Tube You are now ready to put the telescope optical tube (5) onto the equatorial mount (18). 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Slightly loosen the screws (4) that hold the mounting rings on the telescope in place. Slide the rings apart so that each is at the same distance as the holes in the mounting platform (20). Place the telescope tube on the mount so that the treaded post at the bottom of the tube rings go through the holes on the mounting platform. Figure 1-3 Thread a wing nut onto the end of the threaded posts and tighten to secure the tube to the mount. Tighten the screws (4) that hold the mounting rings in place. This will keep the telescope from sliding back and forth in the mounting rings. Attaching the Accessories Your telescope comes with the following optical accessories: · · · 1. 2. 3. 20mm eyepiece 1¼" 4mm eyepiece 1¼ " 3x Barlow Lens 1¼" Remove the caps from the focuser draw tube (3). Place the chrome barrel end of the eyepiece into the focuser (see Figure 1-4). Lock it into place with the thumb screw on the side of the focuser. Your telescope also comes with a 3x Barlow lens which triples the magnifying power of each eyepiece (see Magnification section of the manual). To use the barlow lens, insert the barlow lens directly into the focuser. Then start by using the low power eyepiece such as the 20mm, and insert it directly into the barlow lens. Attaching the Finderscope 1. 2. 3. Remove the two small, silver thumbscrews located on top of the telescope tube. See Figure 1-4. Place the finderscope bracket over the two holes in the telescope tube, lining up the holes on the finderscope bracket with those in the telescope tube. Insert the thumbscrews through the finderscope bracket and thread them into the telescope tube. Figure 1-4 5 Aligning the Finderscope 1. 2. 3. Locate a distant daytime object and center it in a low power eyepiece in the main telescope. Look through the finderscope and take notice of the position of the same object. Without moving the main telescope, turn the adjustment thumb screws located around the finderscope bracket until the crosshairs of the finder are centered on the alignment object. Finding Objects In order to use the equatorial mount's setting circles, the mount must first be aligned with the earth's axis of rotation. 1. Turn the latitude adjustment screw (8) located at the rear of the mount to adjust the angle of the mount. Look at the latitude scale and move the mount to the latitude of your location. This only has to be done once unless you take the telescope to a different location. For example, Los Angeles, California is located at about 34º. If you do not know your latitude, it can be found on most road atlases of your area. Declination Setting Circle Right Ascension Setting Circle To change the direction your telescope is pointing: 2. To move the telescope in declination (north/south) there are two options. For large and quick movements, loosen the declination locking screw (20) and manually move the telescope, then tighten the knob when you are near the position you want. For very small movements and fine adjustments, use the declination slow motion control (7). The declination cable has a range of about 30°. Do not try to force movement when the declination cable has reached the stop. Latitude Scale Figure 1-5 3. To move the telescope in right ascension (east/west) there are two options. For large and quick movements, loosen the right ascension locking screw (located above the setting circle) and manually move the telescope, then tighten the screw when you are near the position you want. For very small movements and fine adjustments, use the right ascension slow motion control (17). The telescope should be properly balanced in order for it to move smoothly in both axes. Proper balance is essential if using an optional motor drive for accurate tracking. 4. To balance the right ascension axis, move the counterweight bar so it is parallel (horizontal) to the ground. Slowly release the right ascension locking screw and see if the optical tube moves. If the optical tube moves, then slide the counterweight up or down the counterweight bar until the optical tube remains stationary in the parallel position to the ground. When this happens, make sure the counterweight lock (located on the tip of the counterweight bar) is tight. Focusing 1. 2. 3. Once you have found an object in the telescope, turn the focusing knob (21) until the image is sharp. To focus on an object that is nearer than your current target, turn the focusing knob toward the eyepiece (i.e., so that the focusing tube moves away from the front of the telescope). For more distant objects, turn the focusing knob in the opposite direction. To achieve a truly sharp focus, never look through glass windows or across objects that produce heat waves, such as asphalt parking lots. 6 Image Orientation When observing with a Newtonian reflector telescope, the image seen will be correct for daytime viewing. However the image will be rotated depending on the position of the focuser relative to the optical tube. Newtonian telescopes are designed for astronomical use rather than for daytime land viewing. The finderscope will always give inverted (up-side-down and backwards) images. Magnification The magnification (or power) of a telescope varies depending upon the focal length of the eyepiece being used and the focal length of the telescope. The PowerSeeker 114 telescope has a focal length of 900mm and comes with a 20mm 1¼" eyepiece. To calculate magnification, use the following formula, in which FL = focal length: Magnification = FL (telescope) in mm FL (eyepiece) in mm Important! Therefore, if you use the 20mm eyepiece your magnification is 900/20 = 45x. The same formula can be applied to any of your eyepieces. Magnification through any telescope has its limits. These limits are determined by the laws of optics and the nature of the human eye. Most of your viewing will be done in the range of 50x to 130x. Higher powers are used mainly for lunar and sometimes planetary observing where you can greatly enlarge the image and the atmospheric conditions are near perfect. The images at extremely high powers magnify the image, but remember that the contrast will be very low due to the high magnification. For the brightest images with the most contrast, start by using the lower power eyepiece with a smaller image scale. The following magnification levels can be achieved when using the standard eyepieces in conjunction with the 3x Barlow lens: Eyepiece 20mm 4mm Magnification 45x 225x Mag. with 3x Barlow Lens 135x 675x TELESCOPE MAINTENANCE With proper care, your telescope should rarely need any maintenance work. To maintain your telescope in the best possible condition, observe the follow suggestions: 1. 2. When your telescope isn't in use, replace all lens covers to keep dust and contaminants off the optical surfaces. A small amount of dust on any optical surface isn't a problem and doesn't need to be removed. If the dust builds up, then use a can of compressed air and a camels hair brush to remove the dust. To remove fingerprints or other contaminants, use an optical cleaning kit or the Celestron Lens Pen (#93575). If the inside of the objective lens needs cleaning, it should be done by a professional. Either hav ...