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CPC
While your
telescope requires little maintenance, there are a few things to remember that will ensure your telescope performs at its
best.
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Occasionally, dust and/or moisture may build up on the corrector plate of your telescope. Special care should be taken when cleaning any
instrument so as not to damage the optics.
If dust has built up on the corrector plate, remove it with a brush (made of camel's hair) or a can of pressurized air. Spray at an angle to the
lens for approximately two to four seconds. Then, use an optical cleaning solution and white tissue paper to remove any remaining debris.
Apply the solution to the tissue and then apply the tissue paper to the lens. Low pressure strokes should go from the center of the corrector to
the outer portion. Do NOT rub in circles!
You can use a commercially made lens cleaner or mix your own. A good cleaning solution is isopropyl alcohol mixed with distilled water.
The solution should be 60% isopropyl alcohol and 40% distilled water. Or, liquid dish soap diluted with water (a couple of drops per one
quart of water) can be used.
Occasionally, you may experience dew build-up on the corrector plate of your telescope during an observing session. If you want to continue
observing, the dew must be removed, either with a hair dryer (on low setting) or by pointing the telescope at the ground until the dew has
evaporated.
If moisture condenses on the inside of the corrector, remove the accessories from the rear cell of the telescope. Place the telescope in a dust-
free environment and point it down. This will remove the moisture from the telescope tube.
To minimize the need to clean your telescope, replace all lens covers once you have finished using it. Since the rear cell is NOT sealed, the
cover should be placed over the opening when not in use. This will prevent contaminants from entering the optical tube.
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.
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Figure 9-1
Collimation Adjustment Screws
Before you begin the collimation process, be sure that your telescope is in thermal equilibrium with the surroundings. Allow 45 minutes for
the telescope to reach equilibrium if you move it between large temperature extremes.
To verify collimation, view a star near the zenith. Use a medium to high power ocular — 12mm to 6mm focal length. It is important to
center a star in the center of the field to judge collimation. Slowly cross in and out of focus and judge the symmetry of the star. If you see a
systematic skewing of the star to one side, then re
Figure 9-2 -- Even though the star pattern appears the same on both sides of focus, they are asymmetric. The
dark obstruction is skewed off to the left side of the diffraction pattern indicating poor collimation.
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The optical performance of your
alignment of its optical system. Your
assembled. However, if the telescope is dropped or jarred severely during transport, it may have
to be collimated. The only optical element that may need to be adjusted, or is possible, is the tilt
of the secondary mirror.
To check the collimation of your telescope you will need a light source. A bright star near the
zenith is ideal since there is a minimal amount of atmospheric distortion. Make sure that tracking
is on so that you won't have to manually track the star. Or, if you do not want to power up your
telescope, you can use Polaris. Its position relative to the celestial pole means that it moves very
little thus eliminating the need to manually track it.
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collimation is needed.
CPC
telescope is directly related to its collimation, that is the
CPC
was collimated at the factory after it was completely
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