6
3. Using Your Telescope
It is best to get a feel for the basic functions of the
Bintel Dobsonian during the day, before observing
astronomical objects at night. This way you will not
have to fumble around trying to orient yourself in
the dark! Find a spot outdoors where you have plen-
ty of room to move around the telescope, and where
you have a clear view of some object or vista that is
at least 1/4-mile away. It is not critical that the base
be exactly level, but it should be placed on some-
what flat ground or pavement to ensure smooth
movement of the telescope. Remember, never point
the telescope at or near the Sun without using a
proper solar filter over the front aperture!
Altitude and Azimuth
The base of the Bintel Dobsonian permits motion of
the telescope along two axes: altitude (up/down)
and azimuth (left/right) (see Figure 8). This is very
convenient, since up/down and left/right are the
most “natural” ways that people aim. As a result,
pointing the telescope is exceptionally easy.
Simply take hold of the telescope tube and move it
left or right so the base rotates about its central
azimuth bolt, and move it up or down so the altitude
side
bearings
rotate
in
the
base’s
cradle.
Both motions can be made simultaneously and in a
continuous manner for easy aiming. Move the
telescope gently - let it glide. In this way you can
point the telescope to any position in the night sky,
from horizon to horizon. When moving he telescope,
it may be convenient to grasp the front end of the
telescope tube so that your fingers just protrude into
it; this provides a convenient “handle”.
The Bintel Dobsonian has two axis of motion:
Altitude (up/down) and Azimuth (left/right)
Installing the Finder Scope
The Bintel Dobsonians come with a high quality,
Right
Angled
8x50
achromatic
finder
scope.
This greatly aids in finding objects to view in the
night sky. The “8” means it magnifies 8 times, the
“50” means it has a 50mm diameter lens. It shows
around 5 degrees of sky. Before attaching the finder
scope bracket to the telescope tube, it is convenient
to first install the finder in the bracket. Thread the
two finder scope alignment thumb screws (with
knurled lock nuts attached) into the holes on the
outside of the finder bracket’s rings. Pull the spring
loaded adjuster out to enable you to slide the finder
scope through the bracket’s rings and secure it in
place with the alignment thumb screws; make sure
the knurled lock nuts are adequately loosened to do
this. The finder scope should be oriented within the
finder bracket as shown in Figure 6. Now, connect
the entire assembly to the telescope. Do this by first
removing the round knurled nuts on the two thread-
ed bolts adjacent to the focuser. Then position the
holes in the base of the finder bracket over the bolts,
and secure the bracket in place with the two round
nuts. The large (objective) end of the finder scope
should be pointing toward the front (open) end of
the telescope tube.
Inserting an Eyepiece
The final step in the assembly process is to insert an
eye-piece into the telescope’s focuser. Take the cov-
er cap off the end of the focuser drawtube. Loosen
the thumb screw on the 1.25" eyepiece adapter. Do
not loosen the two thumb screws on the 2" eyepiece
adapter. Insert one of the supplied eyepieces, then
secure it by retightening the thumbscrew on the
1.25" eyepiece adapter. The other eyepiece can be
placed in the eyepiece rack until it is needed. The
assembly of your
Bintel Dobsonian
is now com-
plete. It should appear as shown on page 2. The
dust cap on the front of the telescope tube should
always remain in place when the telescope is not in
use. It is also a good idea to store eyepieces in an
eyepiece case and to replace the cover caps on the
focuser and finder scope when the telescope is idle.
Right Angled 8x50 finder scope and bracket.
Eyepiece being fitted to telescope
