4
Then install the 6x30 finder scope bracket over the bolts
and secure it by replacing the two thumb nuts.
10. Next, for the 90mm refractor only, insert the chrome barrel
of the star diagonal (O) into the focuser drawtube collar
and tighten it with the two thumbscrews. Then insert the
25mm eyepiece (M) into the diagonal and lightly tighten
the thumbscrew on the diagonal (
Figure 14
). The 114 and
134mm reflector models do not utilize a star diagonal, so
you will insert the eyepiece directly into the focuser draw-
tube collar and lock it with the two thumbscrews (
Figure
15
).
The telescope is now completely assembled! Before it can be
effectively used, however, there are a couple of things to do to
prepare the telescope for operation.
III. Preparing the Telescope For
Operation
Aligning and Using the Finder Scope
A)
The Red Dot Finder Scope
The red dot finder scope (
Figure 12
) included with the
Observer 114mm EQ makes pointing your telescope almost
as easy as pointing your finger! It’s a non-magnifying aiming
device that superimposes a tiny LED red dot on the sky, show-
ing exactly where the telescope is pointed. It permits easy
object targeting prior to observation in the main telescope.
Before you can use the red dot finder scope, you must remove
the paper tab sticking out from the battery compartment.
Doing so will allow the pre-installed 3V CR-2032 button cell
battery to make contact with the finder scope’s electronic cir-
cuitry to power the finder’s red LED illuminator. The tab can
then be discarded.
To use the red dot finder scope properly, it must be aligned
with the main telescope. This is easiest to do during daylight
hours, before observing at night. Follow this procedure:
1. First, remove the dust cap from the front of the telescope.
2. With the 25mm eyepiece installed in the focuser, point the
telescope at a well-defined land target (e.g., the top of a tele-
phone pole) that’s at least a quarter mile away. Center the
target in the eyepiece by turning the slow-motion cables as
needed to point the telescope. For larger telescope move-
ment, release the RA and Dec axis lock knobs (
Figure 16
)
and move the telescope tube by hand to the approximate
location, then retighten the lock knobs and make finer point-
ing adjustments with the slow motion cables.
Note: The image in the reflector telescope models will appear
rotated, sometimes upside down. This is normal for reflec-
tor telescopes and is why reflectors are not recommended
for daytime terrestrial viewing. The view through the refrac-
tor when used with a star diagonal will be right-side-up but
reversed left to right.
3. Now that a distant target is centered in the main tele-
scope’s eyepiece, turn on the red dot finder scope by slid-
ing the power switch to ON (refer to
Figure 12
inset). The
“1” position provides dim illumination while the “2” position
provides brighter illumination. Typically the dimmer setting
is used under dark skies and the brighter setting is used
under light-polluted skies or in daylight. Position your eye
at a comfortable distance from the rear of the unit. Look
through the rear of the finder scope with both eyes open
to see the illuminated red dot. The target object should
appear in the field of view somewhere near the red dot.
4. You’ll want to center the target object on the red dot. To do
so, without moving the telescope, use the finder scope’s
vertical and horizontal adjustment knobs (shown in
Figure
12
) to position the red dot on the object.
5. When the red dot is centered on the distant object, check
to make sure the object is still centered in the telescope’s
eyepiece. If it isn’t, re-center it then adjust the finder
scope’s alignment again. When the object is centered in
the telescope eyepiece and on the finder scope’s red dot,
the finder scope is properly aligned with the telescope.
The red dot finder scope’s alignment should be checked
before every observing session.
At the end of your observing session, be sure to slide the
power switch on the red dot finder scope to OFF to preserve
battery life.
B) The 6x30 Finder Scope
A 6x30 achromatic finder scope is included with the Observer
134mm EQ reflector and Observer 90mm EQ Refractor. To align
Figure 2
.
The aluminum tripod with legs spread apart.
Leg brace