RED DOT VIEWFINDER ALIGNMENT
It is recommended that you perform steps 1 through 5 of this procedure during the daytime and step 6 at night.
1.Loosen the horizontal and vertical locks of your telescope, so that the telescope can move freely.
2.If you have not already done so, place a
3.
4.Slide the intensity slider (28, Fig. 1) to the right to turn the red dot viewfinder On.
5.Looking through the viewfinder. Turn the viewfinder’s two alignment screws (3, Fig. 1) until the viewfinder’s red dot points precisely at the same object centered in the eyepiece. The red dot viewfinder is now aligned to the main telescope.
6.Check this alignment on a celestial object, such as the Moon or a bright star, and make any necessary refinements.
Using the Red Dot Viewfinder
1.Slide the intensity switch one position to the right to turn on the red dot viewfinder.
2.Look through red dot viewfinder; you will see a red dot projected at one end.
3.Slide the intensity switch one more position to the right. Note that the red dot has increased in intensity. Set the intensity switch to a position that is comfortable for your eyesight and the darkness of your observing site.
4.Slide the intensity switch all the way to the left to turn off the red dot viewfinder. Remember to turn the device off at the end of your viewing session.
USING THE TELESCOPE
Observe during the daytime: Try out your telescope during the daytime at first. It is easier to learn how it operates and how to observe when it is light.
Pick out an easy object to observe: A distant mountain, a large tree, a lighthouse or skyscraper make excellent targets. Point the optical tube so it lines up with your object.
Unlock the lock knobs: To move the telescope, you will need to unlock the horizontal (12, Fig. 1) and vertical (11, Fig. 1) lock knobs (just rotate to unlock or lock; when locking, only tighten to a “firm feel,” do not overtighten).
Use the red dot viewfinder: If you have not done so, align the red dot viewfinder (2, Fig. 1) with the telescope’s eyepiece (1, Fig. 1) as described earlier.
Look through the red dot viewfinder until you can see the object. It will be easier to locate an object using the viewfinder rather than locating with the eyepiece. Line up the object with the viewfinder’s red dot.
Look through the eyepiece: Once you have the object lined up in the red dot viewfinder, look through the optical tube’s eyepiece. If you have aligned your viewfinder, you will you see the object in your eyepiece.
Focus: Look through the eyepiece and practice focusing on the object you have chosen.
Observe the Moon: When you feel comfortable with the viewfinder, the eyepieces, the locks and the adjustment controls, you will be ready to try out the telescope at night. The Moon is the best object to observe the first time you go out at night. Pick a night when the Moon is a crescent. No shadows are seen during a full Moon, making it appear flat and uninteresting.
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