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Lending Telescope Collection
Dobsonian Telescope Instruction Manual
Warning: Never look directly at the Sun through any telescope or finder scope – even for an instant
– as permanent eye damage could result. Do not point the telescope at the Sun, as parts will melt.
Children should use this telescope only with adult supervision.
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Table of Contents
Summary of Contents for CAMDEN Dobsonian
- Page 1 Lending Telescope Collection Dobsonian Telescope Instruction Manual Warning: Never look directly at the Sun through any telescope or finder scope – even for an instant – as permanent eye damage could result. Do not point the telescope at the Sun, as parts will melt.
- Page 2 Transporting the Telescope. The telescope kit comes in three parts: i) The Optical tube assembly in a padded bag, ii) The hard case containing eyepieces and accessories, iii) And the timber base mount. Special care needs to be taken while transporting the telescope. Please plan your transport of the telescope to prevent it moving around and being damaged.
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Page 3: Care And Maintenance
Getting Started Assembling the telescope. Please refer to the video for assembling the telescope. It can be found on the library website: www.library.camden.nsw.go.au or on the DVD included in the telescope kit. Using the telescope It is best to get a feel for the basic functions of the telescope during the day, before observing astronomical objects at night. - Page 4 pavement to ensure smooth movement of the telescope. Although we recommend familiarizing yourself with the equipment during daylight hours, it is critical that you never point the telescope at or near the Sun. Altitude and Azimuth – base mount The base allows the telescope to move along two axes: Altitude (up/down) and azimuth (left/right). The telescope can be positioned by holding the optical tube and moving it left or right so the base rotates.
- Page 5 Aligning the Finderscope The finder scope must be aligned accurately with the telescope for proper use. To align it, first aim the main telescope in the general direction of an object at least 500m away – a telegraph pole or a tree for example.
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Page 6: Observing Tips
Focusing the telescope Insert the low power 26mm eyepiece into the focuser and secure it with the thumbscrew. Move the telescope so the front (open) end is pointing in the general direction of an object at least 250m away. Now, slowly rotate one of the focusing nobs until the object comes into sharp focus. Go a little bit beyond sharp focus until the image starts to blur again, then reserve back to focus –... -
Page 7: Tracking Celestial Objects
You will notice that it is more difficult to track objects when the telescope tube is aimed nearly straight up. This is the inherent to the basic design of the Dobsonian, and stems from the fact that there is very little azimuth when the tube is in a near- vertical position. - Page 8 By using eyepieces of varying focal lengths, it is possible to attain many magnifications with the Bintel Dobsonian. The telescopes come with two high-quality Plossl eyepieces: a 15m, which gives a magnification of 80 and 83x, and a 9mm, which gives a magnification of 139x and 133x, as well as a wide angle 2”...
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Page 9: Objects To Observe
Use of 2” Eyepieces The Bintel Dobsonian comes with 2” focuser as standard equipment. Because of its large size, it is able to accept eyepieces that have a 2” barrel diameter. 2” eyepieces are desirable because they allow for a wider field of view than 1.35”... - Page 10 Sun and the Moon. Your Bintel Dobsonian is capable of showing you these planets in some detail. Other planets may be visible but will appear star-like. Because planets are quite small in apparent size, optional higher power eyepieces are recommended and are often needed for detailed observations.
- Page 11 pollution. Take plenty of time to let your eyes adjust to the darkness. Do not expect these objects to appear like the photographs you see in books and magazines; most will look like dim gray smudges.