Meade 114EQ-AR instruction manual Taking Care Of Your Telescope, Collimation Alignment Of, Optics

Meade114EQAR	3/28/07	9:52 AM	Page 18
interesting than a larger,								Fig. 11		dishwashing soap per pint of solution.
dimmer, fuzzy one. Using too										Use soft, white facial tissues and
16 high a power eyepiece is one										make short, gentle strokes. Change
of the most common mistakes										tissues often.
made by new astronomers. So				Monture		Miroir Diagonal	Miroir Primaire			CAUTION: Do not use scented
				Diagonale
don’t think that higher magnification										or lotioned tissues or damage
is necessarily better—quite often
										could result to the optics. DO NOT
the best view is with lower
								Vis D'inclinaison		use a commercial photographic
magnification value!								du Miroir Primaire
						Image Focalisée				lens cleaner.
TAKING CARE OF YOUR TELESCOPE				The Newtonian Reflecting Telescope						COLLIMATION (ALIGNMENT) OF
Your telescope is a precision optical						the surface. When lens or mirror				OPTICS
instrument designed for a lifetime of								All Meade 114 EQ-AR telescopes are
						cleaning does become necessary, use a
rewarding viewing. It will rarely, if ever,
						camel's hair brush or compressed air		optically aligned at the factory prior to
require factory servicing or maintenance.
						gently to remove dust. If the telescope's					shipment. It is unlikely that you
Follow these guidelines to keep your									Fig. 12
						dust cover is replaced after					will need to align, or collimate,
telescope in the best condition:						each observing session,					the optics after receipt of the
• As with any quality instrument, lens or						cleaning of the optics will					instrument. However, if the
mirror surfaces should be cleaned as						rarely be required.					telescope received unusually
infrequently as possible. Front surface					•	Fingerprints and organic					rough handling in shipment, it is
aluminized mirrors, in particular, should											possible that the optics must be
						materials on the lens or
be cleaned only when absolutely											re aligned for best optical
						mirror may be removed with	2
necessary. In all cases avoid touching											performance. In any case this
						a solution of 3 parts distilled
any mirror surface. A little dust on the											alignment procedure is simple,
						water to 1 part isopropyl
surface of a mirror or lens causes											and requires only a few minutes
						alcohol. You may also add 1
negligible loss of performance and							Diagonal Assembly				the very first time the telescope
						drop of biodegradable
should not be considered reason to clean											is used. Take the time to

Looking at or near the Sun will cause irreversable damage to your eye. Do not point this telescope at or near the Sun. Do not look through the telescope as it is moving.