Balancing The Telescope - Levenhuk Skyline PRO Serie Manual De Usuario

Using the red dot finder
The red dot finder is a zero magnification pointing tool that uses a coated glass window to
superimpose the image of a small red dot onto the night sky. The red dot finder is equipped with a
variable brightness control, azimuth adjustment knob, and altitude adjustment knob. The finder is
powered by a 3-volt lithium battery located underneath at the front. To use the red dot finder, simply
look through the sight tube and move your telescope until the red dot overlaps the object. Make sure
to keep both eyes open when sighting.
Like all finderscopes, the red dot finder must be properly aligned with the telescope before use. This is
a simple process using the azimuth and altitude adjustment knobs.
• Open the battery compartment by pulling down the cover and remove the plastic shipping cover over
the battery.
• Turn on the red dot finder by rotating the variable brightness control clockwise until you hear a click.
Continue rotating the control knob to increase the brightness level.
• Insert a low power eyepiece into the focuser. Locate a bright object and aim the telescope so that
the object is in the center of the field of view.
• With both eyes open, look through the sight tube at the object. If the red dot overlaps the object,
your red dot finder is perfectly aligned. If not, turn its azimuth and altitude adjustment knob until
the red dot overlaps the object.

Balancing the telescope

A telescope should be balanced before each observing session. Balancing reduces stress on
the telescope mount and allows precise slow-motion movements. A balanced telescope is especially
crucial when using the optional clock drive for astrophotography. The telescope should be balanced
after all accessories (eyepiece, camera, etc.) have been attached. Before balancing your telescope,
make sure that your tripod is balanced and on a stable surface. For photography, point the telescope
in the direction you will be taking photos before performing the balancing steps.
R.A. Balancing
• For best results, adjust the latitude of the mount to between 15º and 30º if possible, by using the
latitude adjustment T-bolt
• Slowly unlock the R.A. and Dec. lock knobs. Rotate the telescope until both the optical tube and the
counterweight rod are horizontal to the ground, and the telescope tube is to the side of the mount.
• Tighten the Dec. lock knob.
• Move the counterweights along the counterweight rod until the telescope is balanced and remains
stationary when released.
• Tighten the counterweight screws to secure the counterweights.
Dec. Balancing
All accessories should be attached to the telescope before balancing around the declination axis. The
R.A. balancing should be done before proceeding with Dec. balancing.
• For best results, adjust the latitude of the mount to between 60º and 75º if possible.
• Release the R.A. lock knob and rotate around the R.A. axis so that the counterweight rod is in a
horizontal position. Tighten the R.A. lock knob.
• Unlock the Dec. lock knob and rotate the telescope tube until it is parallel to the ground.
• Slowly release the telescope and determine in which direction it rotates. Loosen the telescope ring
clamps and slide the telescope tube forward or backward between the rings until it is balanced.
• Once the telescope no longer rotates from its parallel starting position, retighten the tube rings and
the Dec. lock knob. Reset the latitude to your local latitude.
9
12