Celestron CR-150 HD manual

The CR-150 HD 6" Refractor Model #21017 INSTRUCTION MANUAL[...]

ii • Table of Contents T T T T T ABLE OF CONTENTS ABLE OF CONTENTS ABLE OF CONTENTS ABLE OF CONTENTS ABLE OF CONTENTS ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................. ...................[...]

Table of Contents • iii ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ CELESTIAL OBSERVING CELESTIAL OBSERVING CELESTIAL OBSERVING CELESTIAL OBSERVING CELESTIAL OBSERVING ........................................................................................................... ................................................................................................[...]

4 • Introduction INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION Welcome to the Celestron world of amateur astronomy! For more than a quarter of a century, Celestron has provided amateur astronomers with the tools to explore the universe. The line of Celestron refractors continues in this proud tradition. Each telescope is made o[...]

Introduction • 5 This manual is designed to instruct you in the proper use of your Celestron refracting telescope. This includes assembly, initial use, and long term operation and maintenance. There are four major sections to the manual. The first section covers the proper procedure for setting up your Celestron refracting telescope. The second s[...]

6 • Introduction Developed in the early 1600s, the refractor is the oldest telescope design. It derives its name from the method it uses to focus incoming light rays. The refractor uses a lens to bend or refract incoming light rays, hence the name (see Figure 1-1). Early designs used single element lenses. However, the single lens acts like a pri[...]

The CR-150 HD • 7 ASSEMBLING ASSEMBLING ASSEMBLING ASSEMBLING ASSEMBLING Y Y Y Y Y OUR OUR OUR OUR OUR C R - 1 5 0 H D C R - 1 5 0 H D C R - 1 5 0 H D C R - 1 5 0 H D C R - 1 5 0 H D AT POLARIS C AT POLARIS C AT POLARIS C AT POLARIS C AT POLARIS C The CR-150 HD (#21017) refracting telescope is offered on a German equatorial mount. The CR-150 HD i[...]

8 • The CR-150 HD 1. Lens Cap (not shown) 9. Leg Extension Clamp 2. Dovetail Slidebar 10. Latitude Adjustment Screw 3. Declination Lock 11. Focus Knobs 4. Declination Setting Circle 12. Eyepiece 5. Counterweight Shaft 13. Finderscope Bracket 6. Counterweights 14. Finderscope 7. Tripod Leg 15. Tube Mounting Rings 8. Accessory Tray 16. Optical Tube[...]

The CR-150 HD • 9 The tripod comes fully assembled with the metal plate, called the tripod head, that holds the legs together at the top. In addition, the brackets that support the acces- sory tray are also attached to the tripod. Stand the tripod upright and pull the tripod legs apart until the leg brace assembly for the accessory tray is fully [...]

10 • The CR-150 HD With the tripod set up, you are ready to attach the accessory tray to the tripod. There are three wing bolts that hold the accessory tray to the bracket. 1 . Locate the three wing bolts. 2 . Place the accessory tray over the bracket and position it so the thread holes in the accessory tray are above the slotted holes in the bra[...]

The CR-150 HD • 11 The equatorial mount allows you to tilt the telescope’s axis of rotation so that you can track the stars as they move across the sky. The CG-5 mount is a German equatorial mount that attaches to the tripod head (i.e., metal plate on the tripod). On one side of the plate there is an “N” which signifies north. This side of [...]

12 • The CR-150 HD Attaching the R.A. Slow Motion Knob With the mount securely in place, you are ready to attach some of the accessories (the telescope tube will be added last). Start with the Right Ascension (R.A.) slow motion knob. The R.A. slow motion knob allows you to make fine pointing adjust- ments in the direction the telescope is aiming [...]

The CR-150 HD • 13 Attaching the Declination Slow Motion Knob Like the R.A. slow motion knob, the DEC slow motion knob allows you to make fine pointing adjustments in the direction the telescope is pointed. The DEC slow motion knob attaches in the same manner as the R.A. knob. The shaft that the DEC slow motion knob fits over is toward the top of[...]

14 • The CR-150 HD Attaching the Counterweight Bar and Counterweights The last item to be mounted before the telescope tube is the counterweight bar and counterweights. Used to balanced the telescope, the counterweight bar attaches to the opposite side of the mount as the telescope. To install the counterweight bar: 1 . Retract the counterweight [...]

The CR-150 HD • 15 With the mount fully assembled, you are ready to attach the telescope to the mount. The optical tube attaches to the mount using a dovetail slidebar that is fastened to two tube rings that clamp around the tube. • Before you attach the optical tube, fully tighten the right ascension and declination Before you attach the optic[...]

16 • The CR-150 HD To eliminate undue stress on the mount, the telescope should be properly balanced around the polar axis. In addition, proper balancing is crucial for accurate tracking if using an optional motor drive. To balance the mount: 1 . Release the R.A. Clamp and position the telescope off to one side of the mount (make sure that the ba[...]

The CR-150 HD • 17 The telescope should also be balanced on the declination axis to prevent any sudden motions when the DEC clamp is released. To balance the telescope in DEC: 1 . Release the R.A. clamp and rotate the telescope so that it is on one side of the mount (i.e., as described in the previous section on balancing the telescope in R.A.). [...]

18 • The CR-150 HD For the purpose of polar alignment, there are two directions in which the mount can be adjusted; vertically, which is called altitude and horizontally, which is called azimuth. There are several ways to align on the celestial pole, some of which are discussed later in this manual. This section simply covers the correct movement[...]

The CR-150 HD • 19 The entire telescope and mount is light enough to pick up and carry outside for a casual observing session. If, however, you want to transport your CR-150 HD to a remote observing location, you must partially disassemble it. Here’s how: 1 . Remove the telescope from the equatorial mount. Return it to the shipping carton to en[...]

20 • Telescope Basics TELESCOPE BASICS TELESCOPE BASICS TELESCOPE BASICS TELESCOPE BASICS TELESCOPE BASICS Once your telescope has been fully assembled, you are ready to attach the accessories and have a look. This section deals with basic telescope opera- tions that are common to all Celestron refractor telescopes. There are several accessories [...]

Telescope Basics • 21 Eyepieces are commonly referred to by focal length and barrel diameter. The focal length of each eyepiece is printed on the eyepiece barrel. The longer the focal length (i.e., the larger the number) the lower the eyepiece magnification (i.e., power) and the shorter the focal length (i.e., the smaller the number) the higher t[...]

22 • Telescope Basics To focus your telescope, simply turn either of the focus knobs located under the focus tube (see figure 4-1). Turn the focus knobs until the image is sharp. Once sharp, turn the knobs toward you to focus on an object that is closer than the one you are currently observing. Turn the knobs away from you to focus on a more dist[...]

Telescope Basics • 23 Figure 4-2 Figure 4-2 Figure 4-2 Figure 4-2 Figure 4-2 The finder comes mounted in the finder bracket. To mount the finder to the telescope, The finder comes mounted in the finder bracket. To mount the finder to the telescope, The finder comes mounted in the finder bracket. To mount the finder to the telescope, The finder co[...]

24 • Telescope Basics Image Orientation Image Orientation Image Orientation Image Orientation Image Orientation It should be noted that the image orientation will change depending on the viewing configuration. When using the star diagonal, the image is right-side-up, but reversed from left-to-right. If inserting the eyepiece into the accessory ad[...]

Telescope Basics • 25 Nighttime Observing Nighttime Observing Nighttime Observing Nighttime Observing Nighttime Observing Looking at objects in the sky is quite different than looking at objects on Earth. For one, many objects seen in the daytime are easy to see with the naked eye and can be located by using landmarks. In addition, objects on the[...]

26 • Telescope Basics You can change the power of your Celestron CR-150 HD telescope just by chang- ing the eyepiece (ocular). To determine the magnification for your telescope, you would simply divide the focal length of the telescope (1200mm) by the focal length of the eyepiece that you are using. In equation format, the formula looks like this[...]

Telescope Basics • 27 Your Celestron telescope can be used for both terrestrial and astronomical photography. Your telescope has a fixed aperture and, as a result, a fixed f/ratio. To properly expose your subjects photographically, you need to set your shutter speed accordingly. Most 35mm single lens reflex (SLR) cameras offer through-the- lens m[...]

28 • Astronomy Basics ASTR ASTR ASTR ASTR ASTR ONOMY B ONOMY B ONOMY B ONOMY B ONOMY B ASICS ASICS ASICS ASICS ASICS This section deals with observational astronomy in general. It includes infor- mation on the night sky, polar alignment, and using your telescope for astro- nomical observations. In order to help find objects in the sky, astronomer[...]

Astronomy Basics • 29 Like the Sun, the stars also appear to move across the sky. This motion is caused by the Earth’s rotation. For observers in the northern hemisphere, all stars appear to move around the north celestial pole. For observers in the southern hemisphere, all stars appear to move around the south celestial pole. This means that o[...]

30 • Astronomy Basics Figure 5-3 Figure 5-3 Figure 5-3 Figure 5-3 Figure 5-3 When the telescope ’ s axis of rotation is parallel to the Earth ’ s axis, stars viewed through the telescope appear stationary when using a motor drive. In order for the telescope to track the stars it must meet two criteria. First, you need a drive motor that will [...]

Astronomy Basics • 31 For each hemisphere, there is a point in the sky around which all the other stars appear to rotate. These points are called the celestial poles and are named for the hemisphere in which they reside. For example, in the northern hemisphere all stars move around the north celestial pole. When the telescope’s polar axis is po[...]

32 • Astronomy Basics Latitude Scales Latitude Scales Latitude Scales Latitude Scales Latitude Scales The easiest way to polar align a telescope is with a latitude scale. Unlike other methods that require you to find the celestial pole by identifying certain stars near it, this method works off of a known constant (your latitude) to determine how[...]

Astronomy Basics • 33 Pointing at Polaris Pointing at Polaris Pointing at Polaris Pointing at Polaris Pointing at Polaris This method utilizes Polaris as a guidepost to the celestial pole. Since Polaris is less than a degree from the celestial pole, many amateurs simply point the polar axis of their telescope at Polaris. Although this is by no me[...]

34 • Astronomy Basics Declination Drift Declination Drift Declination Drift Declination Drift Declination Drift This method of polar alignment allows you to get the most accurate alignment on the celestial pole and is required if you want to do long exposure deep-sky astrophotography through the telescope. The declination drift method requires th[...]

Astronomy Basics • 35 Polar Alignment Finders Polar Alignment Finders Polar Alignment Finders Polar Alignment Finders Polar Alignment Finders There are two finders specifically designed for polar alignment that can be used with the CR-150 HD telescopes. These finders can be purchased as optional accessories for the CR-150 HD. The first finder, kn[...]

36 • Celestial Observing CELESTIAL OBSER VING With your telescope set up, you are ready to use it for celestial observing. This section covers visual observing of both solar system and deep-sky objects. In the night sky, the Moon is a prime target for your first look because it is extremely bright and easy to find. Often, it is a temptation to lo[...]

Celestial Observing • 37 Although overlooked by many amateur astronomers, solar observation is both rewarding and fun. However, because the Sun is so bright, special precautions must be taken when observing our star so as not to damage your eyes or your telescope. WARNING: WARNING: WARNING: WARNING: WARNING: Never project an image of the Sun thro[...]

38 • Celestial Observing Deep-sky objects are simply those objects outside the boundaries of our solar system. They include star clusters, planetary nebulae, diffuse nebulae, double stars, and other galaxies outside our own Milky Way. The Celestron Sky Maps (#93722) can help you locate the brightest deep-sky objects. Most deep-sky objects have a [...]

Celestial Observing • 39 Star Hopping Star Hopping Star Hopping Star Hopping Star Hopping You can use your setting circles to find these objects (as described earlier in this manual) or try star hopping. Star hopping is done by using bright stars to guide you to an object. Here are directions for two popular objects. The Andromeda Galaxy, M31, is[...]

40 • Celestial Observing Star hopping may take some getting used to since you can see more stars through the finder than you can see with the naked eye. And, some objects are not visible in the finder. One such object is M57, the famed Ring Nebula. Here’s how to find it: 1 . Find the constellation of Lyra, a small parallelogram visible in the s[...]

Celestial Observing • 41 Viewing conditions affect what you can see through your CR-150 HD telescope during an observing session. Conditions include transparency, sky illumination, and seeing. Understanding viewing conditions and the affect they have on observ- ing will help you get the most out of your telescope. Transparency Transparency Transp[...]

42 • Celestial Observing Once adjusted to the outdoor temperature, don’t touch the telescope tube with your hands. When pointing the telescope, hold the telescope by the star diagonal. If observing with others, make sure no one stands in front of or directly below the telescope tube. The images produced by Type 2 seeing conditions don’t move [...]

Celestial Photography • 43 CELESTIAL PHOTOGRAPHY CELESTIAL PHOTOGRAPHY CELESTIAL PHOTOGRAPHY CELESTIAL PHOTOGRAPHY CELESTIAL PHOTOGRAPHY After looking at the night sky for awhile you may want to try photographing it. Several forms of celestial photography are possible with your Celestron CR-150 HD telescope. The most common forms of celestial pho[...]

44 • Celestial Photography Short exposure prime focus photography is the best way to begin recording celestial objects. It is done with the camera attached to the telescope without an eyepiece or camera lens in place. To attach your camera, you need the T-adapter and a T-Ring for your specific camera (i.e., Minolta, Nikon, Pentax, etc.). The CR-1[...]

Celestial Photography • 45 The exposure times listed here should be used as a starting point. Always make exposures that are longer and shorter than the recommended time. Also, try bracketing your exposures, taking a few photos at each shutter speed. This will ensure that you will get a good photo. If using black and white film, try a yellow filt[...]

46 • Celestial Photography The easiest way to enter the realm of deep-sky, long exposure astrophotography is via the piggyback method. Piggyback photography is done with a camera and its normal lens riding on top of the telescope. Through piggyback photography you can capture entire constellations and record large scale nebulae that are too big f[...]

Celestial Photography • 47 The exposure time depends on the film being used. However, five minutes is usually a good starting point. With slower films, like 100 ISO, you can expose as long as 45 minutes. With faster films, like 1600 ISO, you really shouldn’t expose more than 5 to 10 minutes. When getting started, use fast films to record as muc[...]

48 • Celestial Photography This form of celestial photography is designed for objects with small angular sizes, primarily the planets and individual lunar features. Planets, although physically quite large, appear small in angular size because of their great distances. Moderate to high magnification is, therefore, required to make the image large[...]

Telescope Maintenance • 49 TELESCOPE MAINTENANCE TELESCOPE MAINTENANCE TELESCOPE MAINTENANCE TELESCOPE MAINTENANCE TELESCOPE MAINTENANCE Refractors are generally very low maintenance telescopes. Cleaning is really all that is needed, and even that is minimal if the telescope is stored properly. Occasionally, dust and/or moisture may build up on t[...]

50 • Optional Accessories OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES The following is a partial list of optional accessories available for your Celestron CR-150 HD. CD-ROM (93700) - Celestron and Software Bisque have joined together to present this comprehensive CD-ROM called The Sky ™ Level 1 - for Celestron. It features a 10,000 object database, 75 color images, h[...]

Optional Accessories • 51 • Lanthanum Eyepieces (LV Series) - Lanthanum is a unique rare earth glass used in one of the field lenses of this new eyepiece. The Lantha- num glass reduces aberrations to a minimum. All are fully multicoated and have an astounding 20mm of eye relief — perfect for eyeglass wearers! They are available in the followi[...]

52 • Optional Accessories Motor Drive System - #93518 By adding the MDCG-5 Drive System to your mount, you add the capacity to automatically track objects in the sky, a convenience you ’ ll be sure to enjoy during long viewing or astrophotography sessions, when manual tracking can become tiring. Furthermore, the Drive System will enhance high-p[...]

The Messier Catalog • 53 THE MESSIER CATALOG THE MESSIER CATALOG THE MESSIER CATALOG THE MESSIER CATALOG THE MESSIER CATALOG The Messier Catalog, compiled by Charles Messier, was the first extensive listing of star clusters and nebulae. Messier’s primary observational purpose was to discover comets. He compiled this list so that others searchin[...]

54 • The Messier Catalog M # M # M # M # M # NGC# NGC# NGC# NGC# NGC# Const. Const. Const. Const. Const. R.A. R.A. R.A. R.A. R.A. DEC DEC DEC DEC DEC Mag Mag Mag Mag Mag Type Type Type Type Type Proper Name Proper Name Proper Name Proper Name Proper Name H M S H M S H M S H M S H M S ° ‘ ° ‘ ° ‘ ° ‘ ° ‘ M 3 6 NGC 1960 A u r 5 36.3 [...]

The Messier Catalog • 55 M # M # M # M # M # NGC# NGC# NGC# NGC# NGC# Const. Const. Const. Const. Const. R.A. R.A. R.A. R.A. R.A. DEC DEC DEC DEC DEC Mag Mag Mag Mag Mag Type Type Type Type Type Proper Name Proper Name Proper Name Proper Name Proper Name H M S H M S H M S H M S H M S ° ‘ ° ‘ ° ‘ ° ‘ ° ‘ M 8 1 NGC 3031 U M a 9 55.8 [...]

56 • List of Bright Stars LIST OF BRIGHT STARS The following is a list of bright stars that can be used to align the R.A. setting circle. All coordinates are in epoch 2000.0. Epoch 2000.0 Star Name Constellation R.A. D E C Magnitude H M S ° ‘ “ Sirius CM a 0 6 4 5 0 9 -16 42 58 -1.47 Canopus C ar 0 6 2 3 5 7 -52 41 44 -0.72 Arcturus Boo 14 1[...]

FOR FURTHER READING The following is a list of astronomy books that will further enhance your understanding of the night sky. The books are broken down by classification for easy reference. Astronomy Texts Astronomy Now .................................................................................................... Pasachoff & Ku tner Cambr[...]

CELESTRON ONE YEAR W ARRANTY A . Celestron International (CI) warrants this telescope to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for one year . CI w ill repair or replace such product or part thereof which, upon inspection by CI, is found to be defective in materials or workmanship. As a condition to the obligation of CI to repair or repl[...]

Celestron International 2835 Columbia Street T orrance, CA 90503 T el: 310-328-9560 Fax: 310-212-5835 W eb site: www .celestron.com Copyright 1999 Celestron International All right reserved (Products or instructions may change without notice or obligation). Item #21017-INST 10-99 Price $10.00[...]