2
1. Parts
Remove and identify all parts, using the list below and
Figure 1
for reference.
Part Qty
A – Tripod legs
3
B – Hex-head tripod mounting bolts
3
C – Washers (5/8")
3
D – Wing nuts (large)
3
E – Leg lock thumbscrew
3
F – Accessory tray
1
G – Screws
3
H – Washers (3/8")
3
I – Wing nuts (small)
3
J – Equatorial mount
1
K – Azimuth lock knob (and washer)
1
L – Latitude adjustment bolt
1
M – Counterweight shaft
1
C
ongratulations on your purchase of an Orion telescope. Your new SpaceProbe II 76mm Equatorial
Reflector. is a terrific starter instrument for exploring the exotic wonders of the night sky. Designed to
be lightweight and easy to use, it will provide many hours of enjoyment for the whole family.
If you have never owned a telescope before, we would like to welcome you to amateur astronomy. Take
some time to familiarize yourself with the night sky. Learn to recognize the patterns of stars in the major
constellations. With a little practice, a little patience, and a reasonably dark sky away from city lights, you’ll
find your telescope to be a never-ending source of wonder, exploration, and relaxation.
These instructions will help you set up, properly use, and care for your telescope. Please read them over
thoroughly before getting started.
WARNING:
Never look directly at the Sun through
your telescope—even for an instant—without a
professionally made solar filter that completely
covers the front of the instrument, or permanent eye
damage could result. Young children should use this
telescope only with adult supervision.
Table of Contents
1. Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2. Assembly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
3. Preparing the Telescope for Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
4. Understanding and Using the Equatorial Mount . . . . . . 8
5. Astronomical Observing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
6. Useful Optional Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
7. Aligning the Mirrors (Collimation) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
8. Telescope Care and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
9. Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
N – Counterweight lock knob
1
O – Counterweight
1
P – Slow-motion cables
2
Q – Mounting platform
1
R – Tube ring
1
S – Tube ring mounting hardware
6
T – Screwdriver tool
1
U – Optical tube assembly
1
V – Red dot finder scope
1
W – 25mm Kellner eyepiece
1
X – 10mm Kellner eyepiece
1
Y – Dust cover
1
Z – Allen wrench (not shown)
1
2. Assembly
Refer to
Figures 1 and 2 and the parts list at left for identifica-
tion of specific parts during assembly.
1. Attach the three aluminum tripod legs (A) to the mounting
platform (Q) (
Figure 3a) with the three hinged leg braces
facing inward. Three hex-head bolts (B) each about 3" long,
with 5/8" washers (C) and wing nuts (D), are provided for
this purpose. Note that the bolts should be inserted from
the side of the leg that has the hex-shaped hole, so that
the bolt head seats in the hex-shaped hole (
Figure 3b).
The washer then the wing nut are placed on the opposite
side on the exposed end of the bolt.
2. Attach a leg lock thumbscrew (E) to each leg as shown
(
Figure 4). Extend the sliding inner portion of the adjust-
able-height tripod leg to the desired length for all three
legs. Lock in place by tightening the leg lock thumbscrews.
Do not over-tighten the leg lock thumbscrews or you may
damage the collar they are attached to.
3. Now stand the tripod upright, spreading the legs evenly
apart so the accessory tray can be positioned to attach to
the three leg braces.
4. Attach the accessory tray (F) to the leg brace supports
(
Figure 5) with the three short screws (G), small (3/8")