User manual MEADE TELESTAR 60AZ-A

[. . . ] Instruction Manual Telestar 60AZ-A 60mm (2. 4") Altazimuth Refracting Telescope © 2004 WARNING: NEVER USE A TELESTAR 60AZ-A 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. [. . . ] 1, Inset C). ­5­ D C B A Fig. 2 Mounting the optical tube assembly: (A) azimuth mount; (B) altitude rod; (C) altitude coarse adjustment control; (D) vertical lock knob. 11. Tighten the respective thumbscrews to a firm feel. The telescope is now completely assembled. To move the telescope and point it from one object to another, first slightly loosen one of the chrome-lock (star-shaped) knobs (5, Fig. 1) which serve as a vertical lock, then loosen the azimuth (horizontal) lock (6, Fig. Also, slightly loosen the altitude coarse adjustment lock knob (17, Fig. Loosening these locks allows the telescope to be moved freely (vertically or horizontally) in any direction so that the telescope can be positioned to center a terrestrial or celestial object in the telescopic field. Once an object is found, the altitude lock knob (17, Fig. 1) can be tightened and the altitude slow-motion fine-adjustment control knob (16, Fig. 1) can then be used to make very smooth and accurate tracking in the vertical axis. VIEWFINDER FOCUSING AND ALIGNMENT The 5 x 24mm viewfinder (2, Fig. 1) is a low-power, wide-field sighting device that, once aligned, will allow you to point the telescope with greater precision. Note: When you look through the viewfinder, you will see a crosshair with images that will be upside-down; this is normal. To work properly, the viewfinder must first be aligned to the telescope's main optical tube. To align the viewfinder, follow these steps: 1. Insert the 25mm wide-field eyepiece into the diagonal mirror (13, Fig. Point the optical tube assembly (4, Fig. Make sure the detail of the distant object you have chosen is in sharp focus. Focusing is accomplished by turning the focusing knob (23, Fig. 1) until the sharpest possible image is attained. 1) in both the front and rear rings using the collimation screws (3, Fig. Next, looking through the viewfinder, adjust the collimation screws on the rear ring until the object centered in the telescope's main tube is likewise positioned in the center of the viewfinder's crosshairs. [. . . ] Observing horizontally through the Earth's atmosphere distorts images in higher-power eyepieces (such as 9mm). · · · · · CALCULATING POWER The power (magnification) at which a telescope is operating is calculated by dividing the focal length of the telescope by the focal length of the eyepiece. The focal length of the 60-AZ-A telescope is identified on the focuser label as being 700mm (F = 700mm). The focal length of the eyepiece is usually identified on the top of the eyepiece barrel. ­7­ For example, if you are using a 25mm eyepiece, the resulting power will be: Power = 700mm ÷ 25mm = 28X. For example, if you are using a 9mm eyepiece, the resulting power will be: Power = 700mm ÷ 9mm = 78X. [. . . ]