Celestron 21061 User manual

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Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................3

ASSEMBLY...................................................................................................................................6

Setting up the Tripod ..................................................................................................................6

Moving the Telescope Manually ................................................................................................7

Attaching the Telescope Tube to the Mount............................................................................... 7

Installing the Diagonal & Eyepieces ( refractor)........................................................................8

Installing the Eyepieces on the Newtonians ...............................................................................8

TELESCOPE BASICS ...................................................................................................................9

Image Orientation.....................................................................................................................10

Focusing....................................................................................................................................10

Aligning the Finderscope..........................................................................................................10

Calculating Magnification ........................................................................................................11

Determining Field of View.......................................................................................................12

General Observing Hints...........................................................................................................12

ASTRONOMY BASICS.............................................................................................................. 13

The Celestial Coordinate System.............................................................................................. 13

Motion of the Stars....................................................................................................................14

CELESTIAL OBSERVING .........................................................................................................15

Observing the Moon .................................................................................................................15

Observing the Planets ...............................................................................................................15

Observing the Sun..................................................................................................................... 15

Observing Deep Sky Objects....................................................................................................16

Seeing Conditions.....................................................................................................................18

ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY............................................................................................................ 19

Short Exposure Prime Focus Photography............................................................................... 19

Piggyback Photography............................................................................................................ 19

Planetary & Lunar Photography with Special Imagers.............................................................19

CCD Imaging for Deep Sky Objects ........................................................................................19

Terrestrial Photography ............................................................................................................19

TELESCOPE MAINTENANCE..................................................................................................20

Care and Cleaning of the Optics...............................................................................................20

Collimation of a Newtonian...................................................................................................... 20

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES .....................................................................................................23

AstroMaster Specifications...........................................................................................................24

2

Congratulations on your purchase of an AstroMaster Series telescope. The AstroMaster Series of telescopes come
in several different models and this manual covers three models mounted on the Alt-AZ Mount ((an altazimuth is
the simplest type of mount with two motions – altitude (up & down) and azimuth (side-to-side)))-- 70mm refractor,
90mm refractor, and 114mm Newtonian. The AstroMaster Series is made of the highest quality materials to ensure
stability and durability. All this adds up to a telescope that gives you a lifetime of pleasure with a minimal amount
of maintenance.

These telescopes were designed for the First Time Buyer offering exceptional value. The AstroMaster series
features a compact and portable design with ample optical performance to excite any newcomer to the world of
amateur astronomy. In addition, your AstroMaster telescope is ideal for terrestrial observations which will open
your eyes with superb high power viewing.

AstroMaster telescopes carry a two year limited warranty. For details see our website at

Some of the many standard features of the AstroMaster include:

• All coated glass optical elements for clear, crisp images.

• Smooth functioning, rigid alt-azimuth mount with a large pan handle with built-in clutch for easy targeting.

• Preassembled steel leg tripod with 1.25” legs ensures stable platform.

• Quick and easy no-tool set up.

• CD-ROM “The Sky” Level 1 --- astronomy software which provides education about the sky and printable sky

maps.

www.celestron.com

• All models can be used terrestrially as well as astronomically with the standard accessories included.

Take time to read through this manual before embarking on your journey through the Universe. It may take a few
observing sessions to become familiar with your telescope, so you should keep this manual handy until you have
fully mastered your telescope’s operation. The manual gives detailed information regarding each step as well as
needed reference material and helpful hints guaranteed to make your observing experience as simple and pleasurable
as possible.

Your telescope is designed to give you years of fun and rewarding observations. However, there are a few things to
consider before using your telescope that will ensure your safety and protect your equipment.

Warning

• Never look directly at the sun with the naked eye or with a telescope (unless you have 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. Internal heat build-up can

damage the telescope and any accessories attached to it.

• Never use an eyepiece solar filter or a Herschel wedge. Internal heat build-up inside the telescope can

cause these devices to crack or break, allowing unfiltered sunlight to pass through to the eye.

• Do not leave the telescope unsupervised, either when children are present or adults who may not be

familiar with the correct operating procedures of your telescope.

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Figure 1-1 AstroMaster 90AZ Refractor

(AstroMaster 70AZ refractor similar)

1. Objective Lens 7. Pan Handle

2. Telescope Optical Tube 8. Accessory Tray

3. Star Pointer Finderscope 9. Tripod

4. Eyepiece 10. Azimuth Lock

5. Diagonal 11. Alt-Az Mount

6. Focus Knob 12. Dovetail Mounting Bracket

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3

12

7

10

6

9

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Figure 1-2 AstroMaster 114 AZ Newtonian

1. Star Pointer Finderscope 7. Azimuth Lock

2. Eyepiece 8. Accessory Tray

3. Tube Ring 9. Tripod

4. Telescope Optical Tube 10. Alt-Az Mount

5. Primary Mirror 11. Dovetail Mounting Bracket

6. Pan Handle 12. Focus Knob

5

This section covers the assembly instructions for your AstroMaster telescope. Your telescope should be set up
indoor the first time so that it is easy to identify the various parts and familiarize yourself with the correct assembly
procedure before attempting it outdoor.

Each AstroMaster comes in one box. The pieces in the box are – optical tube with attached sky pointer and tube
rings (114 AZ only), Alt-Az mount with attached pan handle, 10mm eyepiece – 1.25”, 20mm eyepiece – 1.25”
(erect image for 114AZ), erect image diagonal 1.25” (for 70AZ and 9 0 AZ) , “The Sky” Level 1 CD-ROM.

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1. Remove the tripod from the box (Figure 2-1). The tripod comes preassembled so that the set up is very

easy.

2. Stand the tripod upright and pull the tripod legs apart until each leg is fully extended and then push down

slightly on the tripod leg brace (Figure 2-2). The very top of the tripod is called the tripod head.

3. Next, we will install the tripod accessory tray (Figure 2-3) onto the tripod leg brace (center of Figure 2-2).

4. Insert the cut-out in the center of the tray (flat side of the tray facing down) to match the center of the

tripod leg brace and push down slightly (Figure 2-4). The ears of the tray should appear as in Figure 2-4

Figure 2-1 Figure 2-2 Figure 2-3 Figure 2-4

5. Rotate the tray until the ears are under the leg brace support of each leg and push slightly and they will lock

in place (Figure 2-5). The tripod is now completely assembled (Figure 2-6).

6. You can extend the tripod legs to the height you desire. At the lowest level the height is 24” (61cm) and

extends to 41” (104cm). You unlock the tripod leg lock knob at the bottom of each leg (Figure 2-7) and
pull the legs out to the height you want & then lock the knob securely. A fully extended the tripod looks
like the image in Figure 2-8.

7. The tripod will be the most rigid and stable at the lowest height.

.

Figure 2-5 Figure 2-6 F Figure 2-8

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igure 2- 7

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he AstroMaster Alt-Az mount is easy to move wherever you want to point it. The up and down (altitude) is

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controlled by the pan handle (Figure 2-10). The side-to-side (azimuth) is controlled by the azimuth lock
(Figure 2-9). The pan handle and the azimuth lock are both loosened by turning the handle and lock
counterclockwise. When loose you can find your objects easily and then lock the controls. To lock th
in place, turn them clockwise.

e controls

Figure 2-10

Figure 2-9

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he telescope optical tube attaches to the mount via a dovetail slide baT

igure 2-11). For the 114 AZ Newtonian, the mounting bar is the bracket which is attached to the tube rings. For

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the 70AZ and 90AZ refractors the mounting bar is attached along the bottom of the telescope tube. Before you
attach the optical tube, make sure that the pan handle and azimuth lock are fully locked. Then put the
dovetail bracket in the horizontal position as shown in Figure 2-10. This will ensure that the mount does not move
suddenly while attaching the telescope optical tube. Also, remove the objective lens cap (refractor) or the front
opening cap (Newtonian). To mount the telescope tube:

1 Remove the protective paper covering the optical tube
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ewtonian before removing the paper.
2 Loosen the mounting knob and the mounting safety screw on the side of the dovetail mounting platform so they
do not protrude into the mounting platfor

3. Slide the dovetail mounting bar into the recess on the top of the mounting platform (figure 2-17).
5 Tighten the mounting knob on the dovetail mounting platfor
6 Hand tighten the mounting platform safety screw until the tip touches the side of the mounting bra

NOTE: Never loosen any of the knobs on the telescope tube or moun t ot her t han the R.A. and DEC k

Shown is the 90AZ telescope tube

Figure 2-11 F 2-12 Mounting Knob & Safety Screw in the dovetail b

m – see Figure 2-18.

. You will have to remove the tube rings on the 114EQ

m to hold the telescope in place.

igure racket.

r mounting bracket at the top of the mount

cket.

nobs.

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Installing the Diagonal & Eyepieces ( refractor

Installing the Diagonal & Eyepieces ( refractor)

)

he diagonal is a prism that diverts the light at a right angle to the light path of the

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refractor. This allows you to observe in a position that is more comfortable than if y
looked straight through. This diagonal is an erect image model that corrects the image
to be right side up and oriented correctly left-to-right which is much easier to use for
terrestrial observing. Also, the diagonal can be rotated to any position which is most
favorable for you. To install the diagonal and eyepieces:

1. Insert the small barrel of the diagonal into the 1.25”

focus tube on the refractor – Figure 2-13. Make sure the two thumbscrews on
eyepiece adapter do not protrude into the focuser tube before installation and the
plug up cap is removed from the eyepiece adapter.

2. to the diagonal and tighten

Put the chrome barrel end of one of the eyepieces in
the thumb screw. Again, when doing this make sure the thumb screw is not
protruding into the diagonal before inserting the eyepiece.

3. rsing the procedure

The eyepieces can be changed to other focal lengths by reve
in step 2 above.

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he eyepiece (or ocular) is an optical element that magnifies the image focused by

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the telescope. Without the eyepiece it would be impossible to use the telescope
visually. Eyepieces are commonly referred to by focal length and barrel diameter
The longer focal length (i.e., the larger the number) the lower the eyepiece
magnification (i.e., power). Generally, you will use low-to-moderate power
viewing. For more information on how to determine power, see the section on
“Calculating Magnification”. The eyepiece fits directly into the focuser of the
Newtonians. To attach the eyepieces:

1. Make sure the thumbscrews are not protruding into the focuser tube. Then,

insert the chrome barrel of the eyepieces into the focus tube (remove the
plug up cap of the focuser first) and tighten the thumbscrews – see
Figure 2-14.

2. epiece is called an erecting eyepiece since it corrects the

The 20mm ey
image so it is right side up and corrected left to right. This makes the
telescope useful for terrestrial viewing.

3.

The eyepieces can be changed by reversing the procedure as described above.

eyepiece adapter of the

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when

ou

the

.

Figure 2-13

Figure 2-14

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