CHAPTER 7: THE RH "VELOCE"
The RH "Veloce" is quite different from all other
Officina Stellare
telescopes. First of all... to be
precise the
Veloce
is not a
telescope
, it is an
astrograph
, i.e. an optical system completely devoted
to wide field photography, with an extraordinary f/ ratio. You can see it as the "heir" of old purely
photographic instruments, like the Schmidt and the Baker-Schmidt cameras. Of course, you can
take a look through it – but it is strictly designed for photography. For electronic sensors, to be
precise, since it has a
wide and flat
focal plane, and a extraordinary spot size over all the
illuminated field. The materials used to manufacture the RH "Veloce" guarantee negligible thermal
dilatation (and focus shift) over wide temperature changes. Special "super compensated" versions
are available for professional or peculiar uses. Ask us for details.
In the above sequence, you see the extraction of the hood and the primary locking screw, located
"under" the scope. Also one of the two gray screws is visible in the rightmost image.
7.1) The light shield
In RH telescopes, the big, frontal, light shield (or "hood") was designed as an integral part of the
optical design, since it works both as the entry diaphragm
and
a light baffle. For a correct use of
the telescope, the light shield must be in the fully extended position. The "retracted" position is
used only when you store or transport the telescope.
To extend the light shield, follow this procedure:
STEP 1
Unscrew the two locking screws (red arrows)
from the back plate of the telescope and
keep them aside in a safe place, ready for
use.
Place the telescope on a stable, flat surface.
If the telescope has been already placed on
the mount, point 45° above horizon.
The external carbon-fiber hood, when
retracted, is locked in place by a rubber
clutch (green arrow
STEP 2
Unlock this clutch (green arrow). It works
also as a locking screw for accessories on
the piggyback.
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