Orion XT12 User Manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Orion®

SkyQuest™ XT12 IntelliScope®

#9988

Providing Exceptional Consumer Optical Products Since 1975

Customer Support ( 80 0) 676-1343 E-mail: suppor t@ te le sc op e. co m

Corpo rate Off ices (831) 763-700 0

P.O. Box 1815, Santa Cruz, CA 95061

IN 227 Rev. B 03/05

Secondary mirror holder with 4-vane spider (not visible)

Navigation knob

Finder scope

Finder scope bracket

Eyepiece

Focuser

Optical tube

Tensioning knob

Right side panel

Front brace

Eyepiece rack

Handle

Top baseplate

Computerized Object Locator (optional)

Primary mirror cell

IntelliScope Controller Port modular jack

Left side panel

Figure 1. The SkyQuest XT12 IntelliScope

Congratulations on your purchase of an Orion SkyQuest XT12 IntelliScope Dobsonian. It is a highperformance astronomical instrument designed to provide dazzling views of celestial objects and unprecedented ease of use. With the addition of the optional IntelliScope Computerized Object Locator (controller), you gain the ability to locate and view thousands of celestial objects with the push of a but ton. Searching for objects is a thing of the past, as the IntelliScope’s high-resolution digital encoders find them for you — in seconds. It’s so easy!

Even if you decide not to purchase the optional IntelliScope controller, your SkyQuest telescope will provide years of stargazing enjoyment, thanks to its large-aperture, precision optics; its innovative, userfriendly design; and its complement of outstanding features and accessories. We hope you enjoy your journey through the universe!

Please read these instructions thoroughly before beginning assembly and subsequent use of the telescope.

Table of Contents

1. Unpacking. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

2. Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3. Aligning (Collimating) the

Optical System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4. Using your Telescope . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5. Astronomical Observing

. . . . . . . . . . . . 16

6. Optional IntelliScope Computerized Object Location

7. Care and Maintenance

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

8. Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

WARNING: Never look directly at the Sun through your telescope or its finder scope—even for an instant—without a professionally made solar filter that completely covers the front of the instrument, or permanent eye damage could result. Young children should use this telescope only with adult supervision.

1. Unpacking

The telescope is packed in three boxes, one containing the optical tube assembly and accessories, another containing the unassembled Dobsonian base, and the last containing the primary mirror in its cell,. Be careful unpacking the boxes. We recommend keeping the original packaging. In the event that the telescope needs to be shipped to another location, or returned to Orion for warranty repair, having the proper packaging will help ensure that your telescope will survive the journey intact.

Make sure all the parts in the Parts List below are present. Be sure to check boxes carefully, as some parts are small. If any thing appears to be missing or broken, immediately call Orion Customer Support (800-676-1343) or email sales@telescope. com for assistance.

Parts List

Box #1: Optical Tube Assembly and Accessories

Qty. Description

1 Optical tube assembly

1 Dust cover

1 25mm Sirius Plössl eyepiece, 1.25" barrel diameter

1 10mm Sirius Plössl eyepiece, 1.25" barrel diameter

1 9x50 finder scope

1 Finder scope bracket with O-ring

1 Collimation cap

1 4-Hole eyepiece rack

2 Eyepiece rack mounting wood screws (length 3/4")

2 Tensioning/Retaining knobs

1 Tensioning knob nylon washer (white)

1 Tensioning knob metal washer

1 Nylon retaining knob spacer (black)

1 Handle

2 Handle mounting hex-head screws

2 Handle mounting screw washers

1 Crescent wrench

1 Azimuth encoder board

1 Encoder connector board

1 Encoder disk

Box #2: Dobsonian Base

Qty Description

1 Left panel

1 Right panel

1 Front brace

1 Top baseplate

1 Ground baseplate

12 Base assembly wood screws (length 2", black)

1 Hex key (size 4mm)

3 Plastic feet

3 Feet attachment wood screws (length 1")

5 Encoder board mounting wood screws

1 Brass bushing

1 Azimuth axis hex-head screw (length 2.25")

2 Fender washers (diameter 1")

1 Hex lock nut

4 Altitude bearing cylinders

4 Altitude bearing cylin der screws (length 1.5", black)

1 Vertical stop knob

3 Flat washers (2x1/16" thick, 1x1/32" thick)

Box #3: Primary Mirror and Cell

Qty Description

1 Primary mirror

1 Mirror cell

3 Collimation knobs

3 Nylon washers

3 Springs

Warning: Once the rear end ring is removed from the tube, the raw edge of the tube itself will be exposed. Be careful not to cut or otherwise hurt yourself on the tube’s edge. Also be careful not to pinch yourself when attach ing the assembled mirror cell onto the tube.

Next, assemble the rear end ring to the mirror cell. Find a clean, flat surface, and turn the mirror cell over so that the mirror is facing downwards. Place the three springs onto the three exposed threaded shafts (Figure 3). Lower the end ring onto the mirror cell so the threaded shafts pass through it, and the end ring rests on the springs (Figure 4). Add a nylon washer to each collimation knob and thread the collimation knobs through the end ring and onto the threaded shafts (Figure 5). Make sure the knobs have at least three full turns of engagement on the shafts. The mirror cell is now ready to be installed into the tube.

2. Assembly

Now that you have unpacked the boxes and familiarized yourself with all the parts in front of you, it’s time to begin assembly.

Assembly of the Optical Tube

In order to prevent damage to the primary mirror in ship ment, it is shipped in its cell separately from the optical tube. To install the mirror cell into the optical tube, the rear end ring attached to the optical tube must first be removed. This is done by unthreading and removing the six Phillips-head screws that connect the end ring to the tube (Figure 2), and then pulling the end ring off of the tube.

Figure 2. To remove the rear end ring, unthread the six screws

that connect it to the tube.

Figure 3. Place the three springs on the exposed threaded shafts

of the mirror cell.

Figure 4. Lower the rear end ring onto the mirror cell so that the

threaded shafts pass through the end ring, and the end ring rests on the springs.

Figure 5. Thread the collimation thumbnuts, with nylon washers

attached, through the rear end ring and onto the threaded shafts. Make sure the thumbnuts have at least three full turns of engagement on the shafts.

Assembling the SkyQuest XT12 IntelliScope mirror cell to the tube can be a bit tricky. This is because the large diameter and thin aluminum of the tube will cause the tube to become somewhat out of round once the rear end ring is removed.

To assemble the mirror cell to the tube, stand the tube up verti

cally so that the raw edge of the tube is facing upwards. Line up the threaded holes in the edge of the mirror cell end ring with the holes in the end of the tube. Then, lower the mirror cell onto the tube so that one side of the end ring is fully seated onto the tube (Figure 6). Now, look along the perimeter of the tube, and you will notice a bulge in the tube that prevents the mirror cell from fully seating on the tube (Figure 7). Position your body so that your chest is pressing against this bulge, and hug the telescope with your left hand so that the tube becomes round. With your right hand, gently tap down the side of the mirror cell that needs to be seated, and the entire mirror cell should seat onto the tube (Figure 8). Replace the six Phillips-head screws that connect the rear end ring to the tube.

Figure 6. Lower the assembled mirror cell onto the tube so one side of the end ring is seated on the tube edge. The threaded attachment holes in the end ring should also be lined up with the through holes in the end of the tube

Figure 7. Locate the area of tube that is bulging out and

preventing the mirror cell from fully seating.

Figure 8. Hug the tube so that your chest pushes against the

bulge, and a gentle tap should fully seat the mirror cell onto the tube.

Assembly of the Dobsonian Base

Refer to Figure 9 during base assembly. The base need only be assembled once, unless you disassemble it for long-term storage. The assembly process takes about 30 minutes and requires, in addition to the supplied tools, a Phillips screw driver, and two adjustable crescent wrenches. You can substitute a 10mm crescent wrench for one of the adjustable crescent wrenches, or use a pair of pliers.

The azimuth encoder board and other encoder items should be installed, even if you do not plan to use the optional Computerized Object Locator. The smooth motion of the tele scope depends on the installation of these parts.

When tightening screws, tighten them until firm, but be careful not to strip the holes by over-tightening. If you use an electric screwdriver, do final tightening with a standard screwdriver to avoid stripping.

Figure 9. Exploded view of the Dobsonian base.

1. With a Phillips screwdriver, screw the plastic feet into the

underside of the ground baseplate (A) using the self-tap ping wood screws provided. Insert the screws through the feet and thread them into the predrilled starter holes.

2. Loosely attach the front brace (B) to the two side panels

(C) with six of the base assembly screws in the predrilled holes. Use the 4mm hex key to tighten the screws. The side panels should be oriented so the SkyQuest IntelliScope labels are facing outward. Do not completely tighten the screws yet.

3. Connect the two side panels (C) with the front brace

attached to the top baseplate (D) with the remaining six base assembly screws in the predrilled holes. The side of the baseplate with the pilot hole near the square-shaped cutout should be facing downwards. Tighten all six screws firmly.

4. Tighten the six base assembly screws installed in step 2.

5. Attach the azimuth encoder board (E) to the underside

of the top baseplate (D). Insert the modular jack on the encoder board into the square-shaped hole in the base plate and align the encoder board so that the small slotted hole in the board lines up with the predrilled starter hole, and the large hole lines up with the central hole in the baseplate (Figure 10). Thread an encoder board mounting screw into the predrilled starter hole with a Phillips screw driver and tighten until just tight.

6. Place one fender washer (H) onto the azimuth axis screw

(I). Then push the screw up through the hole in the ground baseplate (A).Then slide the encoder disk (J), flat side down, onto the azimuth axis screw.

7. Place the brass bushing (F) onto the azimuth axis screw

(I) so that the wide end of the bushing is closest to the

Encoder board mounting screw

Figure 10. To install the azimuth encoder board, line up the

large hole in the encoder board with the central hole in the top baseplate.

encoder disk (J). Seat the bushing onto the encoder disk so that the registration feature on the bushing goes into the hole in the encoder disk. You may need to move the encoder disk around on the azimuth axis screw a bit in order for the bushing to seat properly.

8. Carefully position the top baseplate (D) over the ground baseplate (A) and lower it so the brass bushing (F) goes into in the center hole of the top baseplate. Place the remaining fender washer (K) onto the shaft of the azimuth axis screw, then thread the hex lock nut (L) onto the end of

the azimuth axis screw and tighten it finger tight, for now.

9. To tighten the azimuth axis screw (I) and hex lock nut (L), tilt the assembled Dobsonian base at a slight angle to lift the ground baseplate off the ground. Now, with one wrench (or pliers) hold the head of the azimuth axis screw still while turning the hex lock nut with the other wrench. Figure 11 shows this being done. Tighten the hex lock nut just until the top fender washer is no longer moving freely, then tighten the hex nut 3/16-1/4 turn beyond that. This ensures proper spacing between the encoder disk and the azimuth encoder board.

10. Attach the handle (M) to the front brace (B) with the two handle mounting hex-head screws. Place one washer on each screw, then press the handle against the front brace (the end of the handle with the logo should be fac ing upwards). Thread the screws from the inside of the base into the handle until tight using the supplied crescent wrench.

11. Line up one of the altitude bearing cylinders with one of the four bearing cylinder holes on the interior of the side panels. The beveled end of the cylinder should be facing away from the side panel. Push a bearing cylinder screw through the side panel and bearing cylinder. Then thread it into the built-in hex nut on the cylinder with a Phillips head screwdriver (Figure 12). Repeat this for the remain ing three bearing cylinders.

12. Attach the encoder connector board to the interior sur face of the left side panel. Place the board against the side panel so that the modular jack fits into the square-shaped hole and thread four encoder board mounting screws through the connector board and into the predrilled holes in the side panel until tight (Figure 13).

Azimuth encoder board

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