User manual MEADE 114EQ-D Instruction Manual

[. . . ] INSTRUCTION MANUAL Jupiter 114 EQ-D: 4. 5" Equatorial Reflecting Telescope Meade Instruments Corporation ­2­ WARNING NEVER USE A JUPITER 114 EQ-D TELESCOPE TO LOOK AT THE SUN!LOOKING AT OR NEAR THE SUN WILL CAUSE INSTANT AND IRREVERSIBLE DAMAGE TO YOUR EYE. EYE DAMAGE IS OFTEN PAINLESS, SO THERE IS NO WARNING TO THE OBSERVER THAT DAMAGE HAS OCCURRED UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE. DO NOT POINT THE TELESCOPE OR ITS VIEWFINDER AT OR NEAR THE SUN. [. . . ] Once the mount has been polar-aligned as described above, the latitude angle need not be adjusted again, unless you move to a different geographical location (i. e. The only polar alignment procedure that need be done each time you use the telescope is to point the polar axis due North, as described in step 1 above. ­ 10 ­ USING THE TELESCOPE With the telescope assembled, balanced and polar aligned as described above, you are ready to begin observations. Decide on an easy-to-find object such as the Moon, if it is visible, or a bright star to become accustomed to the functions and operations of the telescope. For the best results during observations, follow the suggestions below: · To center an object in the main telescope, loosen the telescope's R. A. The telescope can now turn freely on its axes. Use the aligned viewfinder to first sightin on the object you wish to observe; with the object centered on the viewfinder's crosshairs, retighten the R. A. · If you have purchased an assortment of eyepieces (see Section G on Calculating Power and Section J on Optional Accessories for higher and lower powers with the telescope), always start an observation with a low power eyepiece (e. g. , the MA 25mm eyepiece); get the object well-centered in the field of view and sharply focused. Then try the next step up in magnification. If the image starts to become fuzzy as you work into higher magnifications, then back down to a lower power; the atmospheric steadiness is not sufficient to support high powers at the time you are observing. Keep in mind that a bright, clearly resolved but smaller image will show far more detail than a dimmer, poorly resolved larger image. The MA 25mm eyepiece included with the Jupiter 114 EQ-D presents a wide field of view, ideal for general astronomical observing of star fields, clusters of stars, nebulae, and galaxies; it is also probably the best eyepiece to use in the initial finding and centering of any object. · Once centered, the object can be focused by turning one of the knobs of the focusing mechanism (31, Fig. You will notice that the astronomical object in the field of view will begin to slowly move across the eyepiece field. This motion is caused by the rotation of the Earth on its axis, as described in Section C, although the planets and stars, are, for practical purposes, fixed in their positions in the sky. The platform on which the telescope is sitting ( the Earth) rotates once every 24 hours under these objects. To keep astronomical objects centered in the field of the polar aligned telescope, simply turn the R. A. These objects will appear to move through the field more rapidly at higher powers. Note that the Declination flexible cable control is used only for centering purposes, and not for tracking. · Avoid touching the eyepiece while observing through the telescope. Vibrations resulting from such contact will cause the image to move. Likewise, avoid observing sites where ground-based vibrations may resonate the tripod. Viewing from the upper floors of a building may also introduce image movement. [. . . ] 6), to allow free turning movement of the tilt knobs. · Using the flexible cable controls (3 and 4, Fig. 1), move the telescope until the star image is at the edge of the field-of-view in the eyepiece, as in Fig. 10B. ­ 14 ­ 2 1 1 3 2 4 5 Fig. [. . . ]