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The hand control is located on the side of the fork arm and can be removed and used remotely or used while
attached to the fork. The hand control attaches to the fork arm by resting on two posts, located on the bottom of
the hand control cradle, and a clip inside the fork arm. To remove the hand control from the fork arm cradle,
gently lift the hand control upwards and pull out. To return the hand control into the
fork arm, lower the hand
control into the cradle so that the opening in the back of the hand control slides over the clip inside the fork arm.
Once the telescope is powered up, use the hand control to move the optical tube to the horizontal position, this
will make it more convenient to attach the necessary accessories as well as remove the front lens cover.
In case of a loss of power, the optical tube can be moved by hand. However, when powered on, the
telescope should always be controlled via the hand control.
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The star diagonal diverts the light at a right angle from the light path of the telescope. For astronomical
observing, this allows you to observe in positions that are more comfortable than if you were to look straight
through. To attach the star diagonal:
1. Turn the thumbscrew on the visual back until its tip no longer extends into (i.e., obstructs) the inner diameter of
the visual back.
2. Slide the chrome portion of the star diagonal into the visual back.
3.
Tighten the thumbscrew on the visual back to hold the star diagonal in place
.
If you wish to change the orientation of the star diagonal, loosen the thumbscrew on the visual back until the star
diagonal rotates freely. Rotate the diagonal to the desired position and tighten the thumbscrew.
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The eyepiece, or ocular, is the optical element that magnifies the image
focused by the telescope. The eyepiece fits into either the visual back
directly or the star diagonal. To install the eyepiece:
1. Loosen the thumbscrew on the star diagonal so it does not obstruct the
inner diameter of the eyepiece end of the diagonal.
2. Slide the chrome portion of the eyepiece into the star diagonal.
3. Tighten the thumbscrew to hold the eyepiece in place.
To remove the eyepiece, loosen the thumbscrew on the star diagonal
and slide the eyepiece out.
Eyepieces are commonly referred to by focal length and barrel
diameter. The focal length of each eyepiece is printed on the eyepiece
barrel. The longer the focal length (i.e., the larger the number) the
lower the eyepiece power or magnification; and the shorter the focal length (i.e., the smaller the number) the
higher the magnification. Generally, you will use low-to-moderate power when viewing. For more information on
how to determine power, see the section on “Calculating Magnification.”
Barrel diameter is the diameter of the barrel that slides into the star diagonal or visual back. The NexStar uses
eyepieces with a standard 1-1/4" barrel diameter.
NOTE
Figure 3-2 - The Visual Accessories
StarPointer
Finderscope
Eyepiece
Star
Diagonal
Visual Back
