2
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 3
ASSEMBLY ................................................................................................................................... 6
Setting up the Tripod .................................................................................................................. 6
Attaching the Telescope Tube to the Mount............................................................................... 7
Moving the Telescope Manually ................................................................................................ 8
Installing the Diagonal & Eyepiece (Refractor) – 60AZ............................................................ 8
Installing the Diagonal & Eyepiece (Refractor) – 50AZ............................................................ 8
Installing the Eyepiece on the Newtonian .................................................................................. 9
Installing & Using the Barlow Lens ........................................................................................... 9
Installing & Using the 1.5x Erecting Eyepiece – 50AZ ............................................................. 9
Installing the Finderscope......................................................................................................... 10
Aligning the Finderscope.......................................................................................................... 10
TELESCOPE BASICS ................................................................................................................. 11
Image Orientation ..................................................................................................................... 12
Focusing.................................................................................................................................... 12
Calculating Magnification ........................................................................................................ 12
Determining Field of View....................................................................................................... 13
General Observing Hints........................................................................................................... 13
ASTRONOMY BASICS .............................................................................................................. 14
The Celestial Coordinate System.............................................................................................. 14
Motion of the Stars.................................................................................................................... 15
CELESTIAL OBSERVING ......................................................................................................... 16
Observing the Moon ................................................................................................................. 16
Observing the Planets ............................................................................................................... 16
Observing the Sun..................................................................................................................... 16
Observing Deep-Sky Objects.................................................................................................... 17
Seeing Conditions..................................................................................................................... 19
ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY............................................................................................................ 20
Short Exposure Prime Focus Photography ............................................................................... 20
Planetary & Lunar Photography with Special Imagers............................................................. 20
CCD Imaging for Deep-Sky Objects ........................................................................................ 20
Terrestrial Photography ............................................................................................................ 20
TELESCOPE MAINTENANCE.................................................................................................. 21
Care and Cleaning of the Optics ............................................................................................... 21
Collimation of a Newtonian...................................................................................................... 21
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES ..................................................................................................... 24
POWERSEEKER SPECFICATIONS.......................................................................................... 25
