Aligning The Finderscope; Balancing The Telescope - Dörr Danubia ATLAS 2000 Manual De Instrucciones

06.4 EYEPIECE ASSEMBLY
Inserting the eyepiece (Fig.29, 30)
Unscrew the thumbscrews on the end of the focus tube to remove the black plastic end-cap.
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Re-tighten thumb screws to hold the eyepiece in place.
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CAUTION: Do not aim the sun with the finderscope. You eyes can be seriously damaged.
07 | OPERATING YOUR TELESCOPE
07.1

ALIGNING THE FINDERSCOPE

These fixed magnification scopes mounted on the optical tube are very useful accessories. When they are
correctly aligned with the telescope, objects can be quickly located and brought to the centre of the field.
Alignment is best done outdoors in day light when it's easier to locate objects. If it is necessary to refocus
your finderscope, sight on an object that is at least 500 yards (metres) away. Loosen the locking ring by un-
screwing it back towards the bracket. The front lens holder can now be turned in and out to focus. When focus
is reached, lock it in position with the locking ring (Fig.a).
1. Choose a distant object that is at least 500 yards away and point the main telescope at the object. Adjust
the telescope so that the object is in the centre of the view in your eyepiece.
2. Check the finderscope to see if the object centred in the main telescope view is centred on the crosshairs.
3. Adjust the two small screws to centre the finderscope crosshairs on the object (Fig.a1).
07.2 USING THE RED DOT FINDER (OPTIONAL)
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 control, and altitude adjustment control (Fig.b). The Red Dot Finder is powered by a 3-volt
lithium battery located underneath at the front. To use the Finder, simply look through the sight tube and move
your telescope until the red dot merges with the object. Make sure to keep both eyes open when sighting.
Aligning the red dot finder
Like all finderscopes, the Red Dot Finder must be properly aligned with the main telescope before use. This is
a simple process using the azimuth and altitude control knobs.
Open the battery cover by pulling it down (you can gently pry at the 2 small slots) and remove the plastic
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shipping cover over the battery (Fig.b1).
Turn on the Red Dot Finder by rotating the variable brightness control clockwise until you hear a "click".
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Continue rotating the control knob to increase the brightness level.
Insert a low power eyepiece into the telescope's focuser. Locate a bright object and position the telescope
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so that the object is in the centre 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
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Dot Finder is perfectly aligned. If not, turn its azimuth and altitude adjustment controls until the red dot is
merged with the object.
07.3

BALANCING THE TELESCOPE

A Telescope should be balanced before each observing session. Balancing reduces stress on the telescope
mount and allows precise control of micro-adjustment. A balanced telescope is specially critical when using
the optional clock drive for astrophotography. The telescope should be balanced after all accessories (eye-
piece, camera, etc.) have been attached. Before balancing your telescope, make sure that your tripod is ba-
lanced 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 altitude of the mount to between 15º and 30º if possible, by using the altitude
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adjustment T-bolt.
Slowly unlock the R.A. and DEC. lock knobs. Rotate the telescope until both the optical tube and the coun-
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terweight rod are horizontal to the ground, and the telescope tube is to the side of the mount (Fig.c).
Tighten the DEC. lock knob.
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Move the counterweight(s) along the counterweight rod until the telescope is balanced and remains sta-
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tionary when released.
Tighten the counterweight thumb.
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Fig.a
Fig.b
Altitude
adjustment
control
Fig.b1
Fig.c
19
Fig.a1
Azimuth
Sight Tube
adjustment
ON/OFF
control
brightness
control
battery cover
Plastic shipping
cover