Orion 9968 instruction manual Table of Contents, Unpacking, Parts List, Assembly

Congratulations on your purchase of an Orion telescope. Your new SkyView Pro 150mm EQ is designed for high-resolution viewing, and astrophotography of astronomical objects. With its precision optics and

sturdy­ equatorial mount, you’ll be able to enjoy hundreds of fascinating celestial denizens.

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

Table of Contents

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

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

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

4.Balancing the Telescope . . . . . . 5

5.Using Your Telescope . . . . . . . . 5

6.Setting Up and Using the

Equatorial Mount . . . . . . . . . 7

7.Astronomical Observing . . . . . . 11

8.Astrophotography . . . . . . . . . 14

9.Care and Maintenance . . . . . . 14

10.Specifications . . . . . . . . . . 15

11.Appendix: Collimating . . . . . . . 16

1.Unpacking

The entire telescope will arrive in one box. Be careful unpack‑ ing the box. We recommend keeping the box and all origi‑ nal packaging. In the event that the telescope needs to be shipped to another location, or returned to Orion for warranty repair, having the proper box and packaging will help ensure that your mount will survive the journey intact.

Make sure all the parts in the Parts List are present. Be sure to check each box carefully, as some parts are small. If anything appears to be missing or broken, immediate‑ ly call Orion Customer Support (800-676-1343) or email ­support@telescope.com for assistance.

Warning: Never look directly at the Sun through your telescope or its finder scope—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

1 Tripod

1Equatorial mount

1Tripod support tray

1Counterweight shaft

1Large counterweight

1Small counterweight

2Slow-motion control knobs

1Right ascension axis rear cover

1Latitude adjustment L-bolt

1Optical tube assembly

125mm Sirius Plössl eyepiece

110mm Sirius Plössl eyepiece

1Star diagonal

1Finder scope

1Finder scope bracket with O-ring

1Dust cover

3.Assembly

Assembling the telescope for the first time should take about 30 minutes. No tools are needed other than the ones provid‑ ed. All screws should be tightened securely, but be careful not to over-tighten or the threads may strip. Refer to Figure 1 during the assembly process.

During assembly (and anytime, for that matter), do not touch the surfaces of the telescope’s front meniscus lens or the lenses of the finder scope or eyepieces with your fingers. The optical surfaces have delicate coatings on them that can eas‑ ily 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.Stand the tripod legs upright and spread the legs out as far as they will go. Keep the tripod legs at their shortest (fully retracted) length, for now; you can extend them to a more desirable length later, after the scope is fully assembled.

3