Assembling the StarSeeker
Your StarSeeker comes in three major sections: the optical tube, fork arm and the tripod. These sections can be attached in seconds using the quick release coupling screw located under the tripod mounting platform. Remove all of the acces- sories from their individual boxes. Remember to save all of the containers so that they can be used to transport the telescope. Before attaching the visual accessories, the telescope tube should be mounted to its tripod. First, install the accessory tray onto the tripod legs:
1.Remove the tripod from the box and spread the legs apart until the center leg brace is fully extended.
2.Locate the accessory tray, and place it on top of the tripod center support brace in between the tripod legs (see figure
3.Insert the locking bolt from underneath the tripod support brace and thread it into the hole in the center of the acces- sory tray. Do not over tighten.
The accessory tray has a
It is a good idea to adjust the height of the tripod before attach- ing the fork arm and tube. Minor adjustments can be made later. To adjust the height of the tripod legs:
1.Loosen the tripod leg locking bolt located on the side of each leg.
2.Slide the inner portion of each leg down 6" to 8" inches.
3.Tighten the tripod locking bolts to hold each leg in place.
Attaching the Telescope to the Tripod
With the tripod properly assembled, the telescope tube and fork arm can easily be attached using the quick release cou- pling screw located underneath the tripod mounting platform:
1.Hold the telescope tube assembly by the fork arm and place the fork arm base inside the tripod mounting plat- form. See Figure
Optical Tube
(StarSeeker 70mm Shown)
| Tripod Mounting |
Fork Arm Base | Platform |
| |
| Coupling Screw |
Figure
2.Thread the coupling screw into the hole at the bottom of the fork arm base and hand tighten.
Your StarSeeker is fully assembled and is ready to attach the accessories.
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| Locking bolt |
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| (underneath |
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Accessory tray | accessory tray) | ||
Figure 2-2. The accessory tray/hand control holder
The Star Diagonal
(For StarSeeker 70mm & 80mm Models Only)
The star diagonal diverts the light at a right angle from the light path of the telescope. For astronomical observing, this allows you to observe in positions that are more comfortable than if you were to look straight through. To attach the star diagonal:
1.Turn the thumbscrew on the eyepiece adapter at the end of the focuser barrel until it no longer extends into (i.e., obstructs) the inner diameter of the focus barrel. Remove the protective dust cap from the focuser barrel.
2.Slide the chrome portion of the star diagonal into the eye- piece adapter.
3.Tighten the thumbscrew on the eyepiece adapter to hold the star diagonal in place.
If you wish to change the orientation of the star diagonal, loosen the thumbscrew on the eyepiece adapter until the star diagonal rotates freely. Rotate the diagonal to the desired posi- tion and tighten the thumbscrew.
The Eyepiece
The eyepiece, or ocular, is the optical element that magnifies the image focused by the telescope. The eyepiece fits either directly into the focuser (114mm and 130mm models) or into the star diagonal (70mm and 80mm models). To install the eyepiece:
For StarSeeker 70mm and 80mm models:
1.Loosen the thumbscrew on the star diagonal so it does not obstruct the inner diameter of the eyepiece end of the diagonal. Remove the protective dust cap from the star diagonal’s barrel.
2.Slide the chrome portion of the low power 25mm eyepiece into the star diagonal.
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