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location, the numbers get progressively smaller. When the
navigation numbers reach 0, the telescope will be pointed
right at the object! You just look into the eyepiece and enjoy
the view!
The IntelliScope Computerized Object Locator is a wonderful
convenience for both the novice and experienced observer. It
can be added at any time to turn you SkyQuest IntelliScope
into a fully computerized “smart scope” that will expand you
observing horizons in ways you never imagined. It is well
worth the modest investment!
7. Care and Maintenance
If you give your telescope reasonable care, it will last a life-
time. Store it in a clean, dry, dust-free place, safe from rapid
changes in temperature and humidity. Do not store the tele-
scope outdoors, although storage in a garage or shed is OK.
Small components like eyepieces and other accessories
should be kept in a protective box or storage case. Keep the
cloth dust cover on the front of the telescope when not in use.
Your SkyQuest IntelliScope requires very little mechanical
maintenance. The optical tube is steel and has a smooth
painted finish that is fairly scratch-resistant. If a scratch does
appear on the tube, it will not harm the telescope. Smudges
on the tube or base can be wiped off with a soft cloth and a
household cleaner.
Cleaning Eyepiece Lenses
Any quality optical lens cleaning tissue and optical lens clean-
ing fluid specifically designed for multi-coated optics can be
used to clean the exposed lenses of your eyepieces or finder
scope. Never use regular glass cleaner or cleaning fluid
designed for eyeglasses. Before cleaning with fluid and tis-
sue, however, blow any loose particles off the lens with a
blower bulb or compressed air. Then apply some cleaning
fluid to a tissue, never directly on the optics. Wipe the lens
gently in a circular motion, then remove any excess fluid with
a fresh lens tissue. Oily fingerprints and smudges may be
removed using this method. Use caution; rubbing too hard
may scratch the lens. On larger lenses, clean only a small
area at a time, using a fresh lens tissue on each area. Never
reuse tissues.
Cleaning Mirrors
You should not have to clean the telescope’s mirrors very
often; normally once every few years or so. Covering the tele-
scope with the dust cover when it is not in use will prevent
dust from accumulating on the mirrors. Improper cleaning can
scratch mirror coatings, so the fewer times you have to clean
the mirrors, the better. Small specks of dust or flecks of paint
have virtually no adverse effect on the visual performance of
the telescope.
The large primary mirror and the elliptical secondary mirror of
your telescope are front-surface aluminized and over-coated
with hard silicon dioxide, which prevents the aluminum from
oxidizing. These coatings normally last through many years of
use before requiring re-coating (which is easily done).
To clean the secondary mirror, you will need to remove it from
the telescope. Before doing so, orient the telescope tube hor-
izontally so that nothing accidentally falls down and hits the
primary mirror. Hold the secondary mirror holder stationary
while loosening the center Phillips-head screw. Handle the
mirror by its holder; do not touch the mirror surface itself.
Once the mirror (still in its holder) is removed from the tube,
follow the same procedure described below for cleaning the
primary mirror. You do not need to remove the secondary mir-
ror from its holder when cleaning.
To clean the primary mirror, you must carefully remove the
mirror cell from the telescope. To do this remove the six
screws (four for the XT6) on the side of the tube near the pri-
mary mirror. You do not need to remove the collimation
screws on the bottom of the mirror cell. Remove the mirror
cell from the tube. You will notice the primary mirror is held
down with three clips (four for the XT10) fastened by two
screws each. Loosen the screws and remove the clips.
You may now remove the mirror from the mirror cell. Do not
touch the surface of the mirror with your fingers; lift it carefully
by the edge. Set the mirror, aluminized face up, on a clean,
soft towel. Fill a clean sink free of abrasive cleanser with
room-temperature water, a few drops of liquid dishwashing
detergent, and if possible a capful of rubbing alcohol.
Submerge the mirror (aluminized face up) in the water and let
it soak for a few minutes (or hours if it’s a very dirty mirror).
Wipe the mirror under water with clean cotton balls, using
extremely light pressure and stroking in a straight line across
the mirror. Use one ball for each wipe across the mirror. Then
rinse the mirror under a stream of lukewarm water. Any parti-
cles on the surface can be swabbed gently with a series of
cotton balls, each used just one time. Dry the mirror in a
stream of air (a “blower bulb” works great), or remove any
stray drops of water with the corner of a paper towel. Water
will run off a clean surface. Cover the mirror surface with a tis-
sue, and leave the mirror in a warm area until it is completely
dry before reassembling the telescope.
