Table of Contents
Advertisement
Advertisement
Table of Contents
Related Manuals for Celestron Ultima 11
Summary of Contents for Celestron Ultima 11
- Page 1 THE CELESTRON ULTIMA 9 AND ULTIMA 11 INSTRUCTION MANUAL...
-
Page 2: Table Of Contents
The Eyepieces ... 19 R.A. OVING THE ELESCOPE IN ... 22 DJUSTING THE EDGE RANSPORTING LTIMA ELESCOPE TORING LTIMA ELESCOPE TELESCOPE BASICS ... 25 ... 25 OCUSING ... 25 LIGNING THE INDER COPE ... 26 AYTIME BSERVING ... 26 IGHTTIME BSERVING ... - Page 3 ROJECTION Effective Focal Length ... 55 Effective Magnification... 55 Effective f# or f-ratio... 56 XPOSURE RIME OCUS HOTOGRAPHY TELESCOPE MAINTENANCE ... 58 ARE AND LEANING OF THE PTICS ... 58 OLLIMATION OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES ... 60 THE MESSIER CATALOG ... 64 LIST OF BRIGHT STARS ...
-
Page 4: Introduction
INTRODUCTION Welcome to the Celestron world of amateur astronomy! For more than a quarter of a century, Celestron has provided amateur astronomers with the tools needed to explore the universe. The Ultima series telescopes continue in this proud tradition combining large aperture optics with ease of use and portability. With mirror diameters of 9.25 and 11 inches, your Celestron Ultima 9... - Page 5 NEVER USE YOUR TELESCOPE TO PROJECT AN IMAGE OF THE SUN ONTO ANY SURFACE. INTERNAL HEAT BUILD-UP CAN DAMAGE THE TELESCOPE AND/OR ANY ACCESSORIES ATTACHED TO IT. NEVER USE AN EYEPIECE SOLAR FILTER OR A HERSCHEL WEDGE. INTERNAL HEAT BUILD-UP INSIDE THE TELESCOPE CAN CAUSE THESE DEVICES TO CRACK OR BREAK, ALLOWING UNFILTERED SUNLIGHT TO PASS THROUGH TO THE EYE.
-
Page 6: The Schmidt-Cassegrain Optical System
This cross-sectional diagram shows the light path of the Schmidt-Cassegrain optical system. Note that the light rays travel the length of the telescope tube three times, making this a compact optical design. Note that the curve of the corrector plate is greatly exaggerated... -
Page 7: Assembling Your Ultima 9 1 / 4 And 11
Also, the corrector plate is fully coated to allow maximum light transmission. The Ultima 9 (#11035 ) and the Ultima 11 (#11044) are shipped in four boxes. One contains the telescope with most of the standard accessories, which are: 26mm Plössl Ocular 1-1/4"... - Page 8 Figure 2-1 The Ultima telescope completely assembled. Use this illustration, and others throughout this manual, to familiarize yourself with the various parts of your Ultima 9 or Ultima 11 telescope. Telescope Basics...
-
Page 9: Setting Up The Tripod
SETTING UP THE TRIPOD For maximum rigidity, the Celestron field tripod has a leg support bracket. This bracket fits snugly against the tripod legs, increasing stability while reducing vibration and flexure. However, the tripod is shipped with each arm of the leg support bracket in between the legs so the tripod legs can collapse. To set up the tripod: Hold the tripod with the head up and the legs pointed toward the ground. -
Page 10: Adjusting The Tripod Height
ADJUSTING THE TRIPOD HEIGHT The tripod that comes with your Ultima telescope is adjustable. To adjust the height at which the tripod stands: Loosen the extension clamp on one of the tripod legs (see figure 2-3). Extend the leg to the desired height. -
Page 11: Installing The Deluxe Latitude Adjuster
Remove the screws marked A in figure 2-5 from both sides of the wedge. Place the wedge in front of you upright and with the Celestron logo facing you. Place the wedge on its left side. There should be a hole right next to the fourth hex head screw. This is where the azimuth adjust screw will go. - Page 12 Figure 2-4: Upgrade Kit for the Heavy Duty Wedge Figure 2-5: Upgrade Kit installed on the Heavy Duty Wedge Telescope Basics...
-
Page 13: Attaching Wedge To Tripod
The three open holes are for mounting a different telescope in the Celestron line. To mount a wedge to the tripod, the three threaded holes are used. But, since you are using the wedge with the Deluxe Latitude Adjuster kit (included with the Ultima 9 adjusting knob will hit one of the legs of the tripod. -
Page 14: Attaching The Telescope To The Wedge
With the wedge in place on the tripod, you are ready to mount the telescope on the wedge. The telescope base fits directly onto the tilt plate of the wedge. Attaching the telescope to the wedge is the same for both the Ultima 9 and the Ultima 11 telescopes. -
Page 15: Installing The Finder
First, it is used as a regular finder to help you locate and center objects in the main field of your Ultima 11. Second, if you purchase the optional Illuminator (51614-IL) and the Polaris Guiding Plate (60121), it can be used to polar align your telescope. To accomplish this, the finder has a built-in reticle that indicates the distance between the North Star, Polaris, and the true celestial pole. -
Page 16: Attaching The Finder To The Bracket
Attaching the Finder to the Bracket With the bracket firmly attached to the telescope, you are ready to attach the finder to the bracket. Thread the three nylon screws into the front ring of the finder bracket. Tighten the screws until the nylon heads are flush with the inner diameter of the bracket ring. -
Page 17: Optional Illuminator Operation
Tighten the locking ring to ensure that the finder stays in focus. The finder is preset for infinity focus. The correct procedure for using the reticle is described in the section on “Polar Alignment.” Telescope Basics... -
Page 18: Installing The Visual Accessories
Installing the oculars and other visual accessories is the same for both the Ultima 9 difference is that the rear cell, for the Ultima 11, is 3.290 inches in diameter and requires a reducer plate. The reducer plate adapts the rear cell to the Celestron two inch standard. The Ultima 11 comes with the reducer plate installed. -
Page 19: The Eyepieces
Once set up, you will need to move your telescope to different objects. To make rough adjustments, loosen the R.A. and DEC slow motion clamps and move the telescope in the desired direction (see figure 2-9). Do not move the wedge and tripod, only the telescope optical tube. Once in place, lock the R.A. and DEC clamps to hold the telescope in place. - Page 20 (see figure 2-12). Once centered, tighten the R.A. clamp. The clamp must be sufficiently locked for the drive motor to engage and move the telescope. Do not force the R.A. knob to turn when the R.A. clamp is fully engaged. This may strip the R.A. pinion.
- Page 21 See the text for instructions on fixing this situation. Slight adjustments in R.A. are done by turning the R.A. Slow Motion Knob. In order to turn the R.A. Slow Motion Knob, the R.A. clamp must be disengaged. Figure 2-11 Figure 2-12 Telescope Basics...
-
Page 22: Adjusting The Wedge
ADJUSTING THE WEDGE In order for the clock drive to track accurately, the telescope's axis of rotation must be parallel to the Earth's axis of rotation. The process of making these two axes parallel is called polar alignment. Polar alignment is achieved NOT by moving the telescope in R.A. -
Page 23: Transporting Your Ultima Telescope
Since the wedge does not interfere with the tripod, the wedge can be left in place once firmly attached. This holds true even if you are transporting your telescope to a remote dark sky observing site. The tripod legs collapse and fold back together with the wedge in place. The only time you may want to remove the wedge is if you plan on shipping your Ultima via a common carrier. -
Page 24: Storing Your Ultima Telescope
STORING YOUR ULTIMA TELESCOPE When not in use, your Ultima telescope can be left fully assembled and set up. However, all lens and eyepiece covers should be put back in place. This will reduce the amount of dust build-up on all optical surfaces and reduce the number of times you need to clean the instrument. -
Page 25: Telescope Basics
The first number used to describe the finder is the power or magnification while the second number is the diameter of the objective lens in millimeters. For example, the Ultima 11 finder is 7x50. This means it is 7 power and has a 50mm objective lens. Incidentally, power is always compared to the unaided human eye. -
Page 26: Daytime Observing
This will help to familiarize you with your Ultima, thus making it easier to use at night. DAYTIME OBSERVING As mentioned in the introduction, your Celestron Ultima telescope works well as a terrestrial spotting scope. When not used to examine objects in the night sky, it can be used to study objects here on Earth. -
Page 27: Calculating Magnification
Although this is the maximum useful magnification, most observing is done in the range of 20 to 35 power for every inch of aperture which is 220 to 385 times for the Ultima 11 and 185 to 324 for the Ultima... -
Page 28: General Observing Hints
GENERAL PHOTOGRAPHY HINTS Your Celestron Ultima telescope can be used for both terrestrial and astronomical photography. Your Celestron Ultima telescope has a fixed aperture and, as a result, a fixed f/ratio. To properly expose your Magnification Telescope Basics... - Page 29 A cable release allows you to keep your hands clear of the camera and telescope, thus reducing the possibility of shaking the telescope. Mechanical cable releases can be used, though air type releases are best.
-
Page 30: Astronomy Basics
West. Your Celestron Ultima telescope comes equipped with setting circles that translate the celestial coordinates into a precise location for the telescope to point. The setting circles will not work properly until you have polar aligned the telescope and aligned the R.A. -
Page 31: Motion Of The Stars
These appear to rise in the East and set in the West (2). Looking toward the opposite pole, stars curve or arc in the opposite direction scribing a circle around the opposite pole (3). Figure 4-2 Ultima 9 and Ultima 11 Manual... -
Page 32: Polar Alignment
In order for the telescope to track the stars, you must meet two criteria. First, you need a drive motor that moves at the same rate as the stars. The Celestron Ultima comes standard with a built-in drive motor designed specifically for this purpose. The second thing you need is to set the telescope's axis of rotation so that it tracks in the right direction. -
Page 33: Finding The Pole
For example, in the northern hemisphere all stars move around the north celestial pole. When the telescope's polar axis is pointed at the celestial pole, it is parallel to the Earth's rotational axis. -
Page 34: Latitude Scales
The wedge that comes with your telescope has a latitude range of 0 to 90º. -
Page 35: Pointing At Polaris
This method uses Polaris as a guidepost to the celestial pole. Since Polaris is less than a degree from the celestial pole, you can simply point the polar axis of your telescope at Polaris. Although this is by no means perfect alignment, it does get you within one degree. -
Page 36: Declination Drift
One might think that pointing at the pole produces a parallax effect, thus skewing the telescope’s axis of rotation with that of the Earth’s. Polaris, however, is over 50 light years away, thus making any parallax effect negligible. (One light year is 6.4 trillion miles. -
Page 37: Aligning The Ra Setting Circle
If you don't, they can be learned by using the Celestron Sky Maps (#93722) or consulting a current astronomy magazine. To align the R.A. setting circle: Locate a bright star near the celestial equator. The farther you are from the celestial pole, the better your reading of the R.A. -
Page 38: Using The Drive
The clock drive is powered by a 9-volt rectangular battery which can run the telescope for up to 35 hours. The system can also run off of an AC power or external 12-volt DC power with optional adapters. -
Page 39: The Hand Controller Buttons
If you are NOT using the optional DEC motor then the DEC buttons are inoperable. As a result, all corrections to the declination axis must be made manually (i.e., by turning the DEC slow motion knob). Ultima 9 and Ultima 11 Manual... -
Page 40: Tracking Rate Selection
R.A. axis. Center the guide star on the illuminated cross hairs, focus the telescope, and study the periodic movement. The drive has four basic rates: sidereal, lunar, solar, and King (which is a modified sidereal rate that takes into account atmospheric refraction). - Page 41 Point the telescope at the object you want to photograph and you are ready to begin. If you record for more than four minutes, the system will play back the corrections made during the first four minutes and continue to add new corrections as long as the ‘REC’...
-
Page 42: Connectors
DEC axis using the buttons on the hand controller. Such an accessory is mandatory for deep sky astrophotography. The third outlet, labeled ‘FOCUS,’ is for the optional focus motor. This accessory allows you to focus the telescope using the buttons on the hand controller. -
Page 43: The Hand Controller
NOT using the optional DEC motor then all corrections to the declination axis must be made manually (i.e., by turning the DEC slow motion knob). To slew the telescope, press the button that corresponds to the direction you want to move the telescope. While holding the button down, press the opposite directional button. -
Page 44: Trouble Shooting
If the battery voltage gets low, either change the battery or plug the drive into an external power source. An optional adapter allows the drive to run off of AC power (#18772) or 12-volt DC power (#18769). If the battery is new, a blinking LED may indicate a mechanical problem. Call the Celestron repair department for assistance. -
Page 45: Celestial Observing
CELESTIAL OBSERVING With your telescope set up, you are ready to use it for observing. This section covers visual observing for both solar system and deep sky objects. In the night sky, the Moon is a prime target for your first look because it is extremely bright and easy to find. Often, it is tempting to look at the Moon when it is full. -
Page 46: Solar Observing Hints
For safe solar viewing, use a Celestron solar filter. This filter reduces the intensity of the Sun's light, making it safe to view. With this filter you can see sunspots as they move across the solar disk and faculae, which are bright patches seen near the Sun's edge. -
Page 47: Star Hopping
Center the object in the finder. Look in the main optics using a low power eyepiece; the object should be there. The telescope will track in R.A. as long as the clock drive is operating. Repeat the process for each object observed throughout the observing session. - Page 48 Move about 1/2° toward Beta ( ) Lyra, but remaining on a line that connects the two stars. Look through the telescope and the Ring Nebula should be in the telescope. Its angular size is quite small and, therefore, not visible in the finder.
-
Page 49: Seeing Conditions
SEEING CONDITIONS Viewing conditions affect what you can see through your telescope during an observing session. Conditions include transparency, sky illumination, and seeing. Understanding viewing conditions and the effect they have on observing will help you get the most out of your telescope. - Page 50 Moon, appear to shimmer while point sources (i.e., stars) appear double. Type 1 seeing is caused by currents within or very close to the telescope tube. These currents could be caused by a telescope that has not reached thermal equilibrium with the outdoor surroundings, heat waves from people standing near the telescope, or heated dew caps.
-
Page 51: Celestial Photography
To attach your camera you need the Celestron T-Adapter (#93633-A) and a T-Ring for your specific camera (i.e., Minolta, Nikon, Pentax, etc.). The T-Ring replaces the 35mm SLR camera's normal lens. Prime focus photography allows you to capture the majority of the lunar disk or solar disk. -
Page 52: Piggyback Photography
Keep accurate records of your exposures. This information is useful if you want to repeat your results or if you want to submit some of your photos to various astronomy magazines for possible publication! This technique is also used for photographing the Sun with the proper Celestron solar filter. PIGGYBACK PHOTOGRAPHY The easiest way to enter the realm of deep-sky, long exposure astrophotography is via the piggyback method. - Page 53 Set the shutter speed to the "B" setting and focus the lens to the infinity setting. Locate the area of the sky that you want to photograph and move the telescope so that it points in that direction. 6. Find a suitable guide star in the telescope field. This is relatively easy since you can search a wide area without affecting the area covered by your camera lens.
-
Page 54: Eyepiece Projection
Celestron Ultima Telescope. EYEPIECE PROJECTION This form of celestial photography is designed for objects with small angular sizes, primarily the Moon and planets. Planets, although physically quite large, appear small in angular size because of their great distances. -
Page 55: Effective Focal Length
The effective focal length of the optical system for eyepiece projection is given by this formula: where DF is the distance from the center of the eyepiece to the film and magnification is the focal length of the telescope divided by the focal length of the eyepiece. Effective Magnification To determine the magnification when using eyepiece projection, use the equation where E.F.L . -
Page 56: Effective F# Or F-Ratio
To accomplish this you need a guiding ocular with an illuminated reticle to monitor your guide star. For this purpose, Celestron offers the Micro Guide Eyepiece (#94171). Here is a brief summary of the technique. - Page 57 Always take exposures of various lengths to determine the best exposure time. Scotchchrome 400 T-Max 3200 (black and white print) T-Max 400 (black and white print) Tech Pan, gas hypered (black and white print) T-Max 400 (black and white print) Telescope Maintenance...
-
Page 58: Telescope Maintenance
Internal adjustments and cleaning should be done only by the Celestron repair department. If your telescope is in need of internal cleaning, please call the factory for a return authorization number and price quote. - Page 59 This (stellar) image will appear as a bright point of light with a diffraction ring around it. When the point of light is perfectly centered within the diffraction ring, your telescope is in collimation. Keep in mind that to use high power, the seeing conditions must be very good.
-
Page 60: Optional Accessories
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES The following is a partial list of optional accessories that can be used with your Celestron telescope. Accessory Case (#93500) - This rugged ABS plastic case is designed for carrying a few accessories. Inside is foam padding that is die cut to l x l inch squares. These squares can be removed to accommodate accessories with a custom fit. - Page 61 Celestron also has a variety of designs each with its own advantages and disadvantages. For the 1-1 /4" barrel diameter there are four different eyepiece designs available. SMA - The SMA design is an improved version of the Kelner eyepiece. SMA’s are very good, economical, general purpose eyepieces.
- Page 62 Sky Maps (#93722) - When learning the night sky, the Celestron Sky Maps offer the ideal solution. The maps include all the constellations and brighter deep-sky objects. The maps are printed on a heavy stock paper that is moisture-resistant.
- Page 63 They rest between the ground and tripod feet of your telescope. VSPs are recommended for all observing conditions. A full description of all Celestron accessories can be found in the Celestron Accessory Catalog (#93685).
-
Page 64: The Messier Catalog
-9 24 19 59.6 22 43 18 24.6 -24 52 20 23.0 38 32 21 40.4 -23 11 Ultima 9 and Ultima 11 Manual Type Proper Name P. Neb. Crab Nebula Gl. Cl. Gl. Cl. Gl. Cl. Gl. Cl. Op. Cl. - Page 65 12 59 8 50.3 11 49 12 39.5 -26 45 18 31.4 -32 21 18 43.2 -32 18 Ultima 9 and Ultima 11 Manual Type Proper Name Sp. Gx. Andromeda Galaxy El. Gx. Sp. Gx. Pinwheel Galaxy Op. Cl. Op. Cl.
- Page 66 16 32.5 -13 03 11 11.6 55 40 10.0 11 57.7 53 23 0 40.3 41 41 Ultima 9 and Ultima 11 Manual Type Proper Name Gl. Cl. Gl. Cl. Gl Cl. P. Neb. Cork Nebula Sp. Gx. D. Neb.
- Page 67 Ir. Gx. Irregular Galaxy Op. Cl. Open Cluster Gl. Cl. Globular Cluster D. Neb. Diffuse Nebula P. Neb. Planetary Nebula NOTE: All coordinates for the objects in the Messier catalog are listed in epoch 2000.00. Ultima 9 and Ultima 11 Manual...
-
Page 68: List Of Bright Stars
13 25 12 16 29 24 22 57 39 07 45 19 20 41 26 12 47 43 10 08 22 Ultima 9 and Ultima 11 Manual Magnitude ° ‘ “ -16 42 58 -1.47 -52 41 44 -0.72 +19 1057 -0.72... -
Page 69: Technical Specifications
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Below is pertinent technical information on your Celestron Ultima 9 may find useful. Optical System: Aperture: Focal Length: F/ratio: Secondary Mirror Diameter Obstruction Aluminized Surface Highest Useful Power Magnification: Lowest Useful Power Magnification: Resolution: (Rayleigh Criterion) (Dawes Criterion) -
Page 70: Further Reading
Ultima 9 and Ultima 11 Manual FURTHER READING The following is a list of astronomy books that will further enhance your understanding of the night sky. The books are broken down by classification for easy reference. Astronomy Texts Astronomy Now...Pasachoff & Kutner Cambridge Atlas Of Astronomy...Audolsze &...