Orion ED80T CF #9534 Care & Maintenance, Imaging with the ED T CF Refractors, Dew

power eyepiece to ferret out more detail, if atmospheric con- ditions permit. If the image you see is not crisp and steady, reduce the magnification by switching to a longer focal length eyepiece. As a general rule, a small but well-resolved image will show more detail and provide a more enjoyable view than a dim and fuzzy, over-magnified image.

Imaging with the ED T CF Refractors

The ED T CF refractors make very capable astrographs for your CCD or DSLR camera. To attach a DSLR camera, all you will need is the appropriate T-ring for the make and model of your camera, a 2" prime focus camera adapter, and 2" exten- sion tube (available from Orion). Simply attach the T-ring to the camera body and thread the 2" prime focus camera adapter into the T-ring. Insert the barrel of the camera adapter into the 2" eyepiece holder on the ED T CF focuser, and secure it with the thumbscrew.

The ED T CF refractors were designed to reach focus with both DSLR and CCD cameras and additional accessories like filter wheels and flip mirrors. Because of this, you will need an extension tube to reach focus if you are only attaching the camera without additional accessories.

Imaging equipment is sometimes heavier than a diagonal and eyepiece. The dual-speed Crayford focuser is capable of handling the weight of your CCD or DSLR camera. Adding tension to the focuser drawtube will increase the amount of weight the focuser can handle. Install your camera onto the focuser during the day. Check the focuser for any slippage. If the focuser drawtube slips under the weight of the camera, you will need to add more tension to the focuser by tightening the focus tension set screw (Figure 2).

Care & Maintenance

Give your telescope reasonable care and it will last a lifetime. When not in use, keep its dust cover on as well as the dust cap on the eyepiece opening. Keep the telescope inside its

packaging when not in use. Store it indoors or in a dry garage. Do not leave the telescope outside except when using it. If a scratch appears on the tube, it will not harm the telescope. Smudges on the tube can be wiped off with standard house- hold cleaners.

Dew

When you are ready to pack up your telescope at the end of the night, avoid immediately storing it if you encountered heavy dew and the telescope is damp. Instead, bring the telescope inside and allow the moisture on the telescope to evaporate. If dew forms on the objective lens, then leave the dust cover off of the telescope until all the moisture has evap- orated. Once the telescope has completely dried out, place it back in storage.

Cleaning Optical Surfaces

In general, your telescope will only need to be cleaned on a very minimal basis. Dust particles on the objective lens do not effect the optical quality of your ED T CF. Loose dust can sim- ply be blown off with air, using a compressed air can or blower bulb (available from Orion). Any remaining dust is best left alone, unless the build up is extreme. Finger prints and water marks should be cleaned from your telescope’s objective lens. Any quality optical lens tissue and cleaning fluid spe- cifically designed for multi-coated optics can be used to clean the telescope’s objective lens as well as the lenses of your eyepieces and finder scope. Never use regular glass cleaner or cleaning fluid designed for eyeglasses. Before cleaning with fluid and tissue, however, blow any loose particles off the lens with a blower bulb or compressed air, or lightly brush the lens with a soft camel hair brush. Apply some cleaning fluid to a tissue, never directly on the optics. Wipe the lens gently in a circular motion, then remove any excess fluid with a fresh lens tissue. Oily fingerprints and smudges may be removed using this method. Use caution; rubbing too hard may scratch the lens! Clean only a small area at a time, using a fresh lens tissue on each area. Never reuse tissues.

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