Meade 114EQ-ASTR Instruction Manual - Page 7

Meade114EQASTR 3/28/07 9:33 AM Page 7 BALANCING THE TELESCOPE In order for the telescope to move smoothly on its mechanical axes, it must first be balanced as follows: 1. Loosen the right ascension lock (20, Fig. 5). The telescope mount will turn freely about the polar axis. Rotate the telescope about the polar axis so that the counterweight shaft (6) is parallel to the horizon (horizontal). 2. Loosen the counterweight's locking thumbscrew (7) and slide the counterweights (5) along the shaft until the telescope does not drift up or down. Retighten the counterweight lock (7). The telescope is now balanced. ALIGN THE RED DOT VIEWFINDER Perform the first part of this procedure during the daytime and the last step at night. 1. Point the telescope at an easy-to-find land object such as the top of a telephone pole or a distant mountain or tower. Look through the eyepiece and turn the focuser knob (29) until the image is sharply SUN WARNING NEVER USE YOUR TELESCOPE TO LOOK AT THE SUN! LOOKING AT OR NEAR THE SUN WILL CAUSE INSTANT AND IRREVERSIBLE DAMAGE TO YOUR EYE. EYE DAMAGE IS OFTEN PAINLESS, SO THERE IS NO WARNING TO THE OBSERVER THAT DAMAGE HAS OCCURRED UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE. DO NOT POINT THE TELESCOPE OR ITS VIEWFINDER AT OR NEAR THE SUN. DO NOT LOOK THROUGH THE TELESCOPE OR ITS VIEWFINDER AS IT IS MOVING. CHILDREN SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE ADULT SUPERVISION WHILE OBSERVING. focused. Center the object precisely in the eyepiece's field of view. 2. Look through the red dot viewfinder. Turn one or more of the viewfinder's alignment screws (32, Inset B) until the red dot is precisely over the same object as you centered in the eyepiece. 3. Check this alignment at night on a celestial object, such as the Moon or a bright star, and use the viewfinder's alignment screws to make any necessary refinements. 5 UNDERSTANDING CELESTIAL MOVEMENTS AND COORDINATES Understanding where to locate celestial objects and how those objects move across the sky is the key to enjoying the hobby of astronomy. Most amateur astronomers practice "star-hopping" to locate celestial objects. They use star charts or astronomical software to identify bright stars and star patterns as "landmarks" in their search for astronomical objects. Another technique for locating objects is to use the setting circles that are provided on your telescope. THE MEADE 4M COMMUNITY You haven't just bought a telescope, you have embarked on an astronomy adventure that never ends. Share the journey with others by accepting your free membership in the 4M community of astronomers. Go to www.Meade4M.org to activate your membership today. Looking at or near the Sun will cause irreversible damage to your eye. Do not point this telescope at or near the Sun. Do not look through the telescope as it is moving.