Celestron SkyScout Scope 90 User Manual

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Table of Contents

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

ASSEMBLY...................................................................................................................................5

Setting up the Tripod ..................................................................................................................5

Moving the Telescope Manually ................................................................................................6

Attaching the Telescope Tube to the Mount...............................................................................6

Installing the Diagonal & Eyepieces...........................................................................................7

Aligning the Finderscope............................................................................................................ 7

Attaching the SkyScout...............................................................................................................8

Aligning the SkyScout................................................................................................................ 8

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

Focusing......................................................................................................................................9

Calculating Magnification ..........................................................................................................9

Determining Field of View.......................................................................................................10

General Observing Hints...........................................................................................................10

CELESTIAL OBSERVING .........................................................................................................11

Observing the Moon .................................................................................................................11

Observing the Planets ...............................................................................................................11

Observing the Sun.....................................................................................................................11

Observing Deep Sky Objects.................................................................................................... 12

Seeing Conditions.....................................................................................................................12

TELESCOPE MAINTENANCE..................................................................................................13

Care and Cleaning of the Optics...............................................................................................13

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES .....................................................................................................14

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS...............................................................................................15

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Congratulations on your purchase of the SkyScout Scope. The SkyScout Scope 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.

This telescope was designed for use with the Celestron SkyScout Personal Planetarium (sold separately). The
SkyScout Scope features a compact and portable design with ample optical performance to excite any newcomer to
the world of amateur astronomy. In addition, your SkyScout Scope is ideal for terrestrial observations which will
open your eyes with superb high power viewing.

The SkyScout Scope carries a two year limited warranty. For details see our website at www.celestron.com

Some of the many standard features of the SkyScout Scope include:

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

• Special metals used to minimize magnetic interference of SkyScout.

• 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.

• The SkyScout Scope 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 SkyScout Scope 90mm Refractor

1. Objective Lens 7. Erect Image Diagonal

2. Telescope Optical Tube 8. Focuser

3. SkyScout (not included) 9. Pan Handle

4. SkyScout Bracket 10. Tripod

5. Finderscope 11. Accessory Tray

6. Eyepiece 12. Alt-Az Mount

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This section covers the assembly instructions for your SkyScout Scope. 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 SkyScout Scope includes – optical tube with attached SkyScout bracket , Alt-Az mount with attached pan
handle, 10mm eyepiece – 1.25”, 40mm eyepiece – 1.25”, erect image diagonal - 1.25” .

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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 Figure 2- 7 Figure 2-8

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