Celestron Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph - Page 2
Fan Operation and Optics Cool Down - light pollution imaging filter
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Overview 2 1 5 6 3 4 1 Front Lens Group 2 Corrector 3 Optical Window Cell 4 Collimation Screws 5 Accessory Dovetail Plate 2 7 8 9 6 Mirror Lock Knobs 7 10:1 Feather Touch Micro Focuser 8 12V DC Input for Cooling Fan 9 Cooling Fan Parts List Optical Tube Assembly, M42 Camera T-adapter, M48 Wide Camera Adapter, Retaining Ring, 8 x AA Battery Pack (batteries not included), Dust Cap The Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph delivers a flat field, coma-free image across a large image circle for your imaging camera. The Astrograph can only be used with a camera. Installing a Camera Use one of the two supplied camera adapters to attach to your DSLR or CCD camera. The M42 adapter fits most cameras with standard T-threads. The wider M48 adapter can be used with full frame cameras with minimal vignetting. DSLR cameras require a T-ring, sold separately, for the make and model of your camera. CCD cameras have a wide range of backfocus, depending on the model and accessories used. The included camera adapters allow 55 mm of distance from the adapter to the imaging sensor. If your CCD camera consumes less than 55 mm, you will need to add a spacer to reach the correct distance. Cameras with sensors larger than 43 mm diagonal (full frame) will require a custom adapter to better illuminate the sensor. Refer to Celestron's website for a drawing of our camera adapter dimensions to help determine how a custom adapter should be made. Note: Due to the steep light cone at f/2.2, camera housings can be a source of vignetting. Despite having a large illuminated field (78% 21 mm off-axis), vignetting can occur when using custom adapters and when a steep housing surrounds the sensor. This is common with DSLR sensors, sometimes resulting in rectangular vignetting. To attach your camera: 1. Place the knurled retaining ring over the camera adapter and loosely thread it onto the telescope. Knurled retaining ring 2. Holding your camera, thread the camera body (or T-ring, if a DSLR is used) to the camera adapter. 3. Carefully hold the camera so the camera adapter seats flatly. 4. Finish threading the retaining ring onto the telescope. Turn until the camera adapter is snug against the telescope. Do not over tighten! Camera orientation can be adjusted later. Caution: Over tightening the camera adapter can increase the chance of loosening the lens assembly on the corrector, or cause the lens assembly to rotate against the corrector. Keep the camera adapter snug against the telescope, but do not over tighten. Adjusting Camera Orientation Once the camera is installed, you can rotate it by slightly loosening the retaining ring. Loosen the ring no more than 1/8th turn, rotate the camera as desired, and retighten the ring, remembering not to over tighten. Fan Operation and Optics Cool Down It takes time for the optics of the Astrograph to reach thermal equilibrium with the outside air. The greater the temperature difference between where the Astrograph is stored and the outdoors, the longer it takes to cool down. The Astrograph is equipped with a cooling system containing a 12-volt fan. The battery pack requires 8 AA battaries (not included). Install the battaries as indicated in the plastic mold of the battery holder. Plug in the supplied battery pack to power the fan before using the Astrograph. You can do this while preparing your camera equipment. Focusing The Feather Touch Micro Focuser knob moves the primary mirror on the rear cell of the telescope. The larger black knob is the coarse focus; the smaller orange knob is the 10:1 fine focus. Turn the focusing knob until the image is sharp on your camera. If the knob will not turn, it has reached the end of its travel on the focusing mechanism. A single turn of the focusing knob moves the primary mirror only slightly. Therefore, it will take many turns (about 30) to go from close focus to infinity. If you turn the focus knob too quickly, you can go right through focus without seeing the image. To avoid this problem, your first astronomical target should be a bright object (like the Moon or a planet) so that the image is visible even when out of focus. Critical focusing is best accomplished when the focusing knob is turned counterclockwise so that the mirror moves against the pull of gravity. This minimizes mirror shift. Mirror Support Clutches The Astrograph is equipped with mirror tension clutches to help support and minimize movement of the primary mirror during long exposures. To use the mirror clutches: 1. Use the focus knob to adjust the primary mirror to the desired focus. 2. Once in focus, turn the two mirror lock knobs clockwise until both are very tight and can be turned no further. Warning! Once the mirror is locked down, do not turn the focuser knob without loosening the mirror locks first. Although turning the focus knob should not damage the telescope, undue stress can be placed on the focus mechanisms causing excessive image shift while focusing. Collimation The telescope is factory aligned, but may need a slight adjustment after it is transported. The primary mirror and corrector are permanently aligned at the factory. You can make adjustments to the tilt of the lens assembly if needed. The Astrograph must be collimated with the camera installed. We recommend using a camera that does not obstruct the light path of the telescope, making it easier to see concentric star patterns. Equipment needed: 2 mm Hex key 3 mm Hex key Artificial star or a star outside at night, such as Polaris Camera setup, ready to image 1. Install the camera on the telescope as described in the "Installing a Camera" section of this manual. 2. Rotate the camera adapter so that the 3 slotted openings allow access to the collimation screws Collimation screws 3. Point the Astrograph at your star and focus the camera. 4. Defocus the star about 1 turn, using the coarse focus knob on the Feather Touch Microfocuser. 5. Inspect the star pattern. When collimated, the pattern should look like a concentric doughnut. If the pattern is concentric, no adjustment is necessary. 6. Adjust the telescope collimation if needed by slightly loosening a 3mm socket head screw, and tightening the paired 2mm socket head screw. The screws work as push/pull, tightening one requires loosening the other. Always adjust one pair of screws at a time. 2 mm Hex key 3 mm Hex key 7. If the star pattern is thin on one side, adjust the collimation so that the star moves towards the thin side, then adjust the position of the Astrograph to re-center the star. Repeat this until you achieve correct collimation. Removing the Optical Window The optical window can be removed and replaced with a filter, such as a light pollution filter to improve contrast. 1. With the camera adapter removed, carefully grab hold of the knurled cell of the optical window. 2. Carefully unthread the optical window from the Astrograph. Knurled cell of optical window Attaching Accessories The Astrograph includes a CGE-style dovetail which is also cross compatible with most accessories that work on the Losmandy D plate. The accessory dovetail can be used to mount an optional guidescope. The Celestron 80 mm Guide Scope package is compatible with the accessory dovetail. A Celestron 50 mm finder scope can also be attached using the threaded holes on the rear cell of the telescope.