Care And Maintenance; Getting Started; Using The Telescope - CAMDEN Dobsonian Instruction Manual

Care and Maintenance

Cleaning the lenses or mirrors
Do not clean the lenses or mirrors. Let the library know if they seem dirty. Eyepieces can get dirty
fairly quickly. Please don't poke them, as it's very easy to scratch the coatings. However in the case
of minor smudges, you might like to use the Lens pen, provided in the kit. First brush away any dust
with the Pen. Then use the cleaning tip on the pen to clean the eyepiece. Be sure to keep the dust
caps on the telescope when not in use.
Aligning the mirrors
Please don't make any adjustment to the telescopes mirrors. If it seems the telescope is in need of
adjustment please contact the library.
Fog on the mirrors and eyepieces
It is normal for dew to form on all parts of the telescope while stargazing. The telescope is fitted
with a fan unit to help minimize dew formation. Eyepieces will often have dew form on them, and
are unusable until they warm up and dry out. If the eyepiece fogs up, wrap your hands around it for
a few moments. As it warms up the fog should disappear. DO NOT wipe the lens with a tissue or
cloth as it has special coatings on it that could be damaged if you do.
At the end of the night, you can take the telescope inside, and leave unpacked. This will allow any
moisture that is in the telescope to dry out.

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. This way you will be able to use the equipment with ease when it is
dark and make the most of the night sky. Find a spot outdoors where you have plenty of room to
move around the telescope, and where you have a clear view of an object or vista that is at least
500m away. It is not critical that the base be exactly level, but it should be place on flat ground or