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bearings on the optical tube and increase the friction. With
CorrecTension, the added weight of front-end loads will not
adversely affect the balance of the telescope. Simply tighten
the tensioning knob to compensate for an extra load.
transporting the telescope
Even though it is a larger-aperture instrument, the XX12
has been designed to be easy to transport. The optical tube
uncouples from the base, the tube disassembles, and each
component can be carried separately. The base even has a
carry handle for your convenience.
Before disassembling the telescope, remove the finder scope
(with bracket) and any eyepieces from the optical tube, and
remove the IntelliScope Object Locator from the base. The
eyepiece rack can also be removed from the base, if you wish.
This will prevent these accessories from being damaged dur-
ing transport. These items can be placed in optional acces-
sory cases.
To remove the optical tube from the base, simply unthread the
altitude tensioning knobs from the tube's altitude side bear-
ings until they are free of the tube and base. Then, using both
hands, carefully lift the tube off the base. It is convenient to lift
the tube by grasping the truss poles, which is OK to do. The
tube is somewhat heavy, so don't hesitate to have a friend
help lift the tube, if necessary.
Note: If you choose to thread the knobs back into the alti-
tude bearings after removing the optical tube from the base,
be careful not to bend the knobs when transporting the tele-
scope.
To disassemble the optical tube, unthread the knobs in the
truss pole connectors from the upper truss support ring
while holding the upper tube section. Once all four knobs are
unthreaded, remove the upper tube section. Now, unthread
the eight knobs on the pole ends from the lower truss support
ring, and remove the truss pole assemblies from the lower
tube section. Place the dust covers on the tops of the upper
and lower tube sections. The telescope is now disassembled
and ready to be transported.
When putting the XX12 into a vehicle, common sense prevails.
It is especially important that the optical tube sections do not
get knocked around; this can cause the optics to become mis-
aligned, and could dent the tube.
We recommend transporting (and storing) the tube assem-
bly in the optional padded case set for proper protection. The
case set includes a two padded cases for the tube sections,
a pole case which holds the four truss pole assemblies, and
a secondary mirror cover. All cases have carry handles, and
one of the padded cases has an accessory pocket for added
convenience.
5. astronomical observing
The SkyQuest XX12 IntelliScope Truss Tube Dobsonian pro-
vides prodigious capability for observing the many wonders of
the heavens, from the major planets to deep-space nebulas
and galaxies. In this section we give you some astronomical
22
observing tips and briefly summarize what you can expect to
see.
the intelliscope computerized object locator
One of the most exciting features of the SkyQuest XX12
IntelliScope Truss Tube Dobsonian is its compatibility with
the IntelliScope Computerized Object Locator. When plugged
into the IntelliScope port on the telescope's base, the Object
Locator enables the user to point the telescope quickly and
effortlessly to more than 14,000 astronomical objects with the
push of a button. After a simple two-star alignment procedure,
you just select an object to view from the intuitive keypad, then
read the guide arrows on the Object Locator's illuminated liq-
uid crystal display and move the telescope in the correspond-
ing direction. In seconds, the object will be waiting in the tele-
scope's field of view, ready to observe. It's that simple!
The two guide arrows and associated "navigation numbers"
tell you in what direction to move the telescope to pinpoint
an object's location. As the telescope approaches the object's
location, the numbers get progressively smaller. When the
navigation numbers reach zero, the telescope will be pointed
right at the object. You just look into the eyepiece and enjoy
the view!
The IntelliScope Computerized Object Locator works by
communicating electronically with the pair of high-resolution,
9,216-step digital encoders installed in the base. The encod-
ers allow highly precise positioning of the telescope to coor-
dinates programmed into the Object Locator's database for
each astronomical object. Since the telescope is not depen-
dent on motors for movement, you can point the telescope at
your target much more quickly (and quietly!) than other com-
puterized telescopes can — and without guzzling all those
batteries in the process.
The Object Locator's database includes:
• 7,840 objects from the Revised New General Catalog
• 5,386 objects from the Index Catalog
• 110 objects from the Messier Catalog
• 837 selected stars (mostly double, multiple, and variable
stars)
• 8 planets
• 99 user-programmable objects
With the user-friendly IntelliScope Object Locator, there are
many ways to locate an astronomical object. If you know its
catalog number (NGC or Messier number, for instance), you
can enter it using the illuminated keypad buttons. Or you can
press one of the object category buttons (Cluster, Nebula,
Galaxy, etc.) to access a list of objects by type. For a tour of
the best objects visible in a given month, you just press the
Tour button.
Another great feature of the IntelliScope is the ability to iden-
tify an "unknown" object in the field of view — just press the
ID button. You can even add up to 99 objects of your own
choosing to the Object Locator's database. The backlit, two-
line LCD on the Object Locator shows you the object's cata-
log number, its common name if it has one, the constellation
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