Table of Contents, Unpacking, Parts List, Assembly

Welcome to the exciting world of amateur astronomy! Your SpaceProbe 3 EQ is a high-quality optical instrument designed for nighttime stargazing. With its precision optics and equatorial mount, you’ll be able to locate and enjoy fascinating denizens of the night sky, including the planets, Moon, and a variety of deep-sky objects. Lightweight and easy to use, this scope will provide many hours of enjoyment for the whole family.

These instructions will help you set up, properly use, and care for your telescope. Please read them over thoroughly before getting started.

1. Unpacking . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

2. Parts List . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

3.Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

4.Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . 4

5.Setting up and Using the

Equatorial Mount . . . . . . . . . 6

6.Using your Telescope . . . . . . . . 8

7.Care and Maintenance . . . . . . 10

8.Specifications . . . . . . . . . . 11

Appendix A: Collimation

(Aligning the Mirrors) . . . . . . . 12 Appendix B: Cleaning the Optics . . . 14

1.Unpacking

The entire telescope system will arrive in one box. Be careful unpacking the box. We recommend keeping all original pack- aging. In the event that the telescope needs to be shipped to another location, or returned to Orion for warranty repair, hav- ing the proper packaging will help ensure that your telescope will survive the journey intact.

Make sure all the parts in the Part List are present. Be sure to check the box carefully, as some parts are small. If any- thing appears to be missing or broken, immediately call Orion Customer Support (800-676-1343) for assistance.

Warning: Never look at the sun with your telescope or its finderscope—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.

2. Parts List

Qty. Description

1Optical tube assembly

1Equatorial mount

3Tripod legs with accessory tray bracket attached

2Slow-motion control cables

1	Counterweight
1	Counterweight shaft
1	EZ Finder II with bracket
1	Accessory tray with attachment wing screws

3Tripod attachment screws with wing nuts and washers

3 Leg lock knobs

125mm Explorer II eyepiece

110mm Explorer II eyepiece

1Dust cover

1Collimation cap

3. Assembly

Assembling the telescope for the first time should take about 30 minutes. You will need a Phillips head screwdriver to assemble the telescope. All screws should be tightened securely to eliminate flexing and wobbling, but be careful not to over-tighten or the threads may strip. Refer to Figure 1 dur- ing the assembly process.

During assembly (and anytime, for that matter), DO NOT touch the surfaces of the telescope mirrors or the lenses of the find- er scope or eyepiece with your fingers. The optical surfaces have delicate coatings on them that can easily be damaged if touched inappropriately. NEVER remove any lens assembly from its housing for any reason, or the product warranty and return policy will be voided.

1.Lay the equatorial mount on its side. Attach the tripod legs, one at a time, to the base of the mount by sliding a tripod leg attachment screw through the top of a leg and through the holes in the base of the mount. The washers should