INSTRUCTION MANUAL Orion SkyQuest IntelliScope XT6, XT8, XT10 ® TM TM #9816, #9918, #9950 Customer Support (800) 676-1343 E-mail: support@telescope.com Corporate Offices (831) 763-7000 Providing Exceptional Consumer Optical Products Since 1975 P.O. Box 1815, Santa Cruz, CA 95061 IN 226 Rev. C 11/10 Secondary mirror holder with 4-vane spider (not visible) Finder scope Finder scope bracket Eyepiece Focuser Navigation knob Optical tube Tensioning knob IntelliScope Controller Port modular jack Retaining knob (opposite side) Computerized Object Locator (optional) Right side panel Eyepiece rack Primary mirror cell Front brace Handle Top baseplate Ground baseplate Figure 1. The SkyQuest XT8 IntelliScope Left side panel Foot (3) 2 Congratulations on your purchase of an Orion SkyQuest XT IntelliScope Dobsonian. It is a high-performance astronomical instrument designed to provide dazzling views of celestial objects and unprecedented ease of use. With the addition of the optional IntelliScope Computerized Object Locator (Controller), you gain the ability to locate and view thousands of celestial objects with the push of a button. Searching for objects is a thing of the past, as the IntelliScope's high-resolution digital encoders find them for you -- in seconds. It's so easy! Even if you decide not to purchase the optional IntelliScope Controller, your SkyQuest telescope will provide years of stargazing enjoyment, thanks to its large-aperture, precision optics; its innovative, user-friendly design; and its complement of outstanding features and accessories. We hope you enjoy your journey through the universe! Please read these instructions thoroughly before beginning assembly and subsequent use of the telescope. Table of Contents 1. Unpacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 2. Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 3. Using Your Telescope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 4. Alignment (Collimation) of the Optical System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 5. Astronomical Observing . . . . . . . . . . . .15 6. Optional IntelliScope Computerized Object Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 7. Care and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 8. Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 WARNING: Never look directly at the Sun through your telescope or its finder scope--even for an instant--without a professionally made solar filter that completely covers the front of the instrument, or permanent eye damage could result. Young children should use this telescope only with adult supervision. Parts List Box #1: Optical Tube Assembly and Accessories Qty. Description 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 Qty 1 1 1 1 1 12 3 1 3 3 Optical tube assembly Dust cover 25mm Sirius Plössl eyepiece, 1.25" barrel diameter 10mm Sirius Plössl eyepiece, 1.25" barrel diameter 9x50 finder scope (6x30 for the XT6) Finder scope bracket with O-ring Collimation cap 4-Hole eyepiece rack (3 hole for XT6) Eyepiece rack mounting wood screws (length 3/4") Tensioning/Retaining knobs Tensioning knob nylon washer (white) Tensioning knob metal washer Nylon retaining knob spacer (black) Handle Handle mounting hex-head screws Handle mounting screw washers Crescent wrench Description Left panel Right panel Front brace Top baseplate Ground baseplate Base assembly wood screws (length 2", black) Teflon azimuth bearing pads (1" diameter) Hex key (size 4mm) Plastic feet Feet attachment wood screws (length 1") 1. Unpacking The telescope is packed in two boxes, one containing the optical tube assembly and accessories, the other containing the unassembled Dobsonian base. Be careful unpacking the boxes. We recommend keeping the original shipping containers. In the event that the telescope needs to be shipped to another location, or returned to Orion for warranty repair, having the proper shipping containers will help ensure that your telescope will survive the journey intact. Make sure all the parts in the Parts List below are present. Be sure to check boxes carefully, as some parts are small. If anything appears to be missing or broken, immediately call Orion Customer Support (800-676-1343) or email sales@telescope.com for assistance. Box #2: Dobsonian Base 3 1 1 5 1 1 1 2 1 4 4 1 1 3 Azimuth encoder board Encoder connector board Encoder board mounting wood screws Brass bushing Encoder disk Azimuth axis hex-head screw (length 2.25") Fender washers (diameter 1") Hex lock nut Altitude bearing cylinders Altitude bearing cylinder screws (length 1-3/4", black) Vertical stop knob Nylon spacer (white) Flat washers (2x1/16" thick, 1x1/32" thick) Assembly of the Dobsonian Base Refer to Figure 2 during base assembly. The base need only be assembled once, unless you disassemble it for long-term storage. The assembly process takes about 30 minutes and requires, in addition to the supplied tools, a Phillips screwdriver, and two adjustable crescent wrenches. You can substitute a 7/16" crescent wrench for one of the adjustable crescent wrenches, or use a pair of pliers. The azimuth encoder board and other encoder items should be installed, even if you do not plan to use the optional Computerized Object Locator. The smooth motion of the telescope depends on the installation of these parts. When tightening screws, tighten them until firm, but be careful not to strip the holes by over-tightening. If you use an electric screwdriver, do final tightening with a standard screwdriver to avoid stripping. 1. With a Phillips screwdriver, screw the plastic feet into the underside of the ground baseplate (A) using the self-tapping wood screws provided. Insert the screws through the feet and thread them into the predrilled starter holes. 2. Loosely attach the front brace (B) to the two side panels (C) with six of the base assembly screws in the predrilled holes. Use the 4mm hex wrench to tighten the screws. The side panels should be oriented so the SkyQuest IntelliScope labels are facing outward. Do not completely tighten the screws yet. 3. Connect the two side panels (C) with the front brace attached to the top baseplate (D) with the remaining six base assembly screws in the predrilled holes. The side of the baseplate with the pilot hole near the square-shaped cutout should be facing downwards. Tighten all six screws firmly. (Please note: Unless otherwise specified, all images and pictures in this manual are of the SkyQuest XT8.) C B K D L M E F G A G J G H I Encoder board mounting screw Azimuth encoder board Figure 2. Exploded view of the Dobsonian base. Figure 3. Installing the azimuth encoder board. Line up the large hole in the encoder board with the central hole in the top baseplate. 2. Assembly Now that you have unpacked the boxes and familiarized yourself with all the parts in front of you, it's time to begin assembly. The optics of the telescope are already installed in the tube, so most of the required assembly concerns the Dobsonian base. 4. Tighten the six side screws installed earlier. 5. Attach the azimuth encoder board (E) to the underside of the top baseplate (D) (Figure 3). Insert the modular jack on the encoder board into the square-shaped hole in the baseplate and align the encoder board so that the small slotted hole in the board lines up with the predrilled starter hole, and the large hole lines up with the central hole in 4 the baseplate. Thread an encoder board mounting screw into the predrilled starter hole with a Phillips screwdriver and tighten until just tight. 6. Place one Teflon bearing pad (G) into each recessed hole on the ground baseplate (A). The bearing pads will be loose in the recessed hole and should remain that way. Do not attempt to permanently secure the bearing pads by any means as this will interfere with the motion of the telescope. 7. Place one fender washer (H) onto the azimuth axis screw (I). Then push the screw up through the hole in the ground baseplate (A).Then slide the encoder disk (J), flat side down, onto the azimuth axis screw. 8. Place the brass bushing (F) onto the azimuth axis screw (I) so that the wide end of the bushing is closest to the encoder disk (J). Seat the bushing onto the encoder disk so that the registration feature on the bushing goes into the hole in the encoder disk. You may need to move the encoder disk around on the azimuth axis screw a bit in order for the bushing to seat properly. 9. Carefully position the top baseplate (D) over the ground baseplate (A) and lower it so the brass bushing (F) goes into in the center hole of the top baseplate. Place the remaining fender washer (K) onto the shaft of the azimuth axis screw, then thread the hex lock nut (L) onto the end of the azimuth axis screw and tighten it finger tight, for now. 10.To tighten the azimuth axis screw (I) and hex lock nut (L), Correct Tension pads Bearing cylinders Figure 5. Attaching the bearing cylinders. (XT10 Shown) tilt the assembled Dobsonian base at a slight angle to lift the ground baseplate off the ground. Do not turn the base on its side, as this will cause the Teflon bearing pads to fall out. Now, with one wrench (or pliers) hold the head of the azimuth axis screw still while turning the hex lock nut with the other wrench. Figure 4 shows this being done. Tighten the hex lock nut just until the top fender washer is no longer moving freely, then tighten the hex nut a 3/16-1/4 turn beyond that. This ensures proper spacing between the encoder disk and the azimuth encoder board. 11.Attach the handle (M) to the front brace (B) with the two handle mounting hex-head screws. Place one washer on each screw, then press the handle against the front brace (the end of the handle with the logo should be up). Then thread the screws from the inside of the base into the handle until tight using the supplied crescent wrench. 12.Line up one of the altitude bearing cylinders with the inside of one of the four bearing cylinder holes on the side panels. Push a bearing cylinder screw through the side panel and bearing cylinder. Then thread it into the built-in hex nut on the cylinder with a Phillips head screwdriver (Figure 5). The beveled end of the cylinder should be facing away from the side panel. Repeat this for the remaining three bearing cylinders. 13.Attach the encoder connector board to the side panel. Place the board against the side panel so that the modular jack fits into the square-shaped hole and thread four encoder board mounting screws through the connector board and into the predrilled holes in the side panel until tight (Figure 6). There are some predrilled holes on the side panel opposite the panel that holds the encoder connector board. These holes will be used to mount parts that come with the optional IntelliScope controller. If you purchased the IntelliScope controller with your SkyQuest, you will want to follow the installation instructions in the controller's manual at this time. a. b. Figure 4. To connect the baseplates, tilt them only slightly, as shown. Do not place them on their side. (a) Use one wrench to hold the hex nut steady (b) while turning the other end of the azimuth axis screw. Installing the Vertical Stop Place the nylon spacer (white) and the three flat washers onto the shaft of the vertical stop screw. Thread the vertical stop into the threaded hole on the inside of front panel until tight (Figure 7). The position of the vertical stop is adjustable 5 Encoder connector board Screws Figure 6. Attaching the encoder connector board. (XT10 Shown) by adding or removing washers. This is important when using the optional IntelliScope Computerized Object Locator, since the optical tube must be exactly vertical during the two-star alignment procedure. Installing the Eyepiece Rack The aluminum eyepiece rack is a standard accessory on SkyQuest IntelliScope Dobsonians. It holds three 1.25" eyepieces and one 2" eyepiece (three 1.25" eyepieces on the XT6) in a convenient place on the base, within easy reach while you're observing. A 1.25" barlow lens also can be held in the rack. A few inches down from the top of the front brace panel you will notice two predrilled starter holes, about 6" apart. Thread the black wood screws into the starter holes with a Phillips screwdriver. Then you can "keyhole" the eyepiece rack onto the wood screws and continue tightening the screws (Figure 8). If you want to be able to remove the rack, do not tighten the screws too tightly. Be certain that the screws are loose enough that you can lift the rack and remove it from the screws through the larger part of the keyhole. If you want to have the rack permanently attached, tighten the screws. You may find it easier to carry the base by the handle if the eyepiece rack is removed. Placing the Optical Tube on the Dobsonian Base Lift the optical tube and gently place it into the Dobsonian base so that the altitude bearings on either side of the tube rest on the bearing cylinders. Orient the optical tube as ...