Celestron 127 User Manual

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INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on your purchase and welcome to the Celestron world of amateur astronomy. Some of the terms
and parts described in these instructions may be new to you, so a few commonly used terms you’ll want to be
familiar with are defined below.

Equatorial mount – a type of mounting that allows the telescope to be aligned with the earth's axis in order to
track the motion of the sky.
Focal length - the distance from the optical center of the lens to the point where the incoming light rays converge,
creating a clear, focused image.

Primary Mirror - It gathers incoming light to create a sharply focused image.
Reflecting telescope – an optical design in which light is reflected off of a curved mirror that converges the light

into a small disk that is then magnified using an eyepiece.

First, you need to take the time to familiarize yourself with the parts of your PowerSeeker telescope, then assemble
it, following the easy instructions provided. Next, read over the operating instructions and become familiar with
how your telescope works, to prepare for hours of viewing enjoyment.

CAUTION: READ THIS SECTION BEFORE USING YOUR TELESCOPE

Your PowerSeeker telescope is designed to give you hours of fun and rewarding observing. However, there are a
few things to be aware of before using your telescope that will ensure your safety and protect your equipment.

NEVER LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN WITH THE NAKED EYE OR WITH A TELESCOPE. NEVER POINT
YOUR TELESCOPE AT THE SUN UNLESS YOU’RE USING THE PROPER SOLAR FILTER. PERMANENT
AND IRREVERSIBLE EYE DAMAGE MAY RESULT.

NEVER USE YOUR TELESCOPE TO PROJECT AN IMAGE OF THE SUN ONTO ANY SURFACE, OR USE
AN EYEPIECE SOLAR FILTER OR A HERSCHEL WEDGE. INTERNAL HEAT BUILD-UP CAN DAMAGE
THE TELESCOPE AND/OR ANY ACCESSORIES THAT MAY BE ATTACHED TO IT.

NEVER LEAVE YOUR TELESCOPE UNSUPERVISED, ESPECIALLY WHEN CHILDREN ARE PRESENT.
THIS ALSO HOLDS TRUE FOR ADULTS WHO MAY NOT BE FAMILIAR WITH THE CORRECT
OPERATING PROCEDURES FOR YOUR TELESCOPE.

ALWAYS COVER THE FINDERSCOPE WHEN USING YOUR TELESCOPE WITH THE CORRECT SOLAR
FILTER. ALTHOUGH SMALL IN APERTURE, THIS INSTRUMENT HAS ENOUGH LIGHT GATHERING
POWER TO CAUSE PERMANENT AND IRREVERSIBLE EYE DAMAGE. THE IMAGE PROJECTED BY THE
FINDERSCOPE IS HOT ENOUGH TO BURN SKIN OR CLOTHING.

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The PowerSeeker is a Newtonian reflecting telescope that comes on an equatorial mount. This section instructs you
on the proper assembly and use of your PowerSeeker telescope, which is shipped in one box, containing all the parts
you need to assemble it. Unpack and lay out all of the parts in a large, clear area where you’ll have room to work.
Use the list below and the telescope diagram to confirm you have, and can identify each part.

PowerSeeker 127

a. Finderscope i. Tripod Extension Screws

. Tube Rings j. Accessory Tray
c. Optical Tube k. Counterweight
d. Collimation Screws l. Counterweight Bar
e. Slow Motion Controls m. Right Ascension Setting Circle
f. Equatorial Mount n. Declination Setting Circle
g. Latitude Adjustment Screw o. Focuser
h. Tripod Leg p. Eyepiece

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1. To set up the tripod, spread the legs outward until they are fully extended. Extend the center portion of each of the
three tripod legs down 6-8". Use the three tightening screws located at the bottom of each leg to secure the
extended legs in place.

2. Place the accessory tray on top of tripod's center leg brace. Thread the tray's threaded post into the threaded hole
in the center of the leg brace.

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1. Locate the equatorial mount and place the base of the mount through the hole in the center of the tripod mounting
platform. From underneath the tripod mounting platform, thread the mounting bolt with washer into the threaded
hole on the bottom of the equatorial mount.

2. Thread the latitude adjustment screws into the equatorial mount until both screws are touching the inside of the
mount and the mount can no longer pivot up and down.

3. Locate the counterweight bar and counterweight. Thread the threaded end of the counterweight bar into the Dec
axis of the equatorial mount. Remove the safety screw and washer from the other end of the counterweight bar.
Loosen the counterweight locking bolt so that the screw is no longer obstructing the center hole of the
counterweight. Slide the counterweight half way up the counterweight bar and tighten the
locking screw to secure the counterweight in place. Thread the safety screw and washer
on to the end of the counterweight bar.

Before attaching the optical tube, the counterweight and slow motion controls should be added
to the mount:

4. Slide the chrome end of the slow motion control cables onto the equatorial mount gear
shaft. See Figure 1. The longer cable should attach to the Right Ascension axis and the
shorter cable attaches to the Declination axis.

Figure 1

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You are now ready to put the telescope optical tube (c) onto the equatorial mount (f).

1. Slightly loosen the screws that hold the mounting rings on the telescope in place.

2. Slide the rings apart so that each is at the same distance as the holes in the mounting platform.

3. Place the telescope tube on the mount so that the treaded post at the bottom of the tube rings go through the

holes on the mounting platform.

4. Thread a wing nut onto the end of the threaded posts and tighten to secure the tube to the mount.

5. Tighten the screws that hold the mounting rings in place. This will keep the telescope from sliding back and

forth in the mounting rings.

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Your telescope comes with the following accessories:

• 20mm eyepiece 1¼"

• 4mm eyepiece 1¼ "

• 3x Barlow Lens 1¼"

• 5x24 finderscope

• The Sky® L1 Planetarium software

1. Remove the caps from the focuser draw tube (o).

2. Place the chrome barrel end of the eyepiece into the focuser. Lock it into place with the thumb screw on the

side of the focuser.

3. Your telescope also comes with a 3x Barlow lens which triples the magnifying power of each eyepiece (see

Magnification section of the manual). To use the barlow lens, insert the barlow lens directly into the focuser.
Then start by using the low power eyepiece such as the 20mm, and insert it directly into the barlow lens.

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1. Remove the two small, silver thumbscrews located on top of the

telescope tube. See Figure 2.

2. Place the finderscope bracket over the two holes in the telescope tube,

lining up the holes on the finderscope bracket with those in the

telescope tube.
Insert the thumbscrews through the finderscope bracket and thread them into
the telescope tube.

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Moving Your Telescope:

To change the direction your telescope is pointing:

1. To move the telescope in declination (north/south) there are two

options. For large and quick movements, loosen the declination knob (see figures 8) when moving the

telescope and then tighten the knob when you are near the position you want. For very small movements and

fine adjustments, use the declination cable. The declination cable has a range of about 30° and if you come to

the stop at the end of its travel, do not try to force movement when the declination cable has reached the

stop. Instead loosen the declination knob and manually move the telescope in declination until you pass the

object in the opposite direction. Then tighten the knob and reverse the direction of the declination cable.

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Figure 2

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