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Related Manuals for SKY-WATCHER SK MAK90 EQ/TA
Summarization of Contents
Before You Begin
Safety Precautions
Never look directly at the sun. Use a proper solar filter. Protect finderscope from sun exposure.
Mount Assembly
Installing the Tripod Legs
Screw the three tripod legs into holes in the tripod base.
Repositioning the Mount Head
Unlock and swivel the mount head for altitude and azimuth adjustments.
Installing the Counter-Weight Rod
Screw the counterweight rod into the declination shaft and remove the end cap.
Installing the Counter-Weight
Slide the counterweight onto the rod and tighten the thumbscrew.
Installing Control Cables
Slide cable sleeve over the worm gear nipple and tighten with the set screw.
Telescope Assembly (Specific Models)
Attaching Telescope Tube to Mount
Secure the telescope tube to the mount using two thumbscrews and washers.
Attaching the Red Dot Finder
Slide finder into bracket grooves and tighten screws for attachment.
Inserting the Eyepiece
Loosen focus tube thumbscrews, insert diagonal, then eyepiece, and tighten.
Telescope Assembly (SK 76/300 EQ/TA)
Attaching Telescope Tube to Mount
Secure telescope tube to mount with two thumbscrews and washers.
Attaching the Finderscope
Slide finderscope assembly into the rectangular slot and tighten.
Inserting the Eyepiece
Unscrew focus tube thumbscrews, insert eyepiece, and re-tighten.
Operating Your Telescope
Using the Red Dot Finder
Point using a red dot superimposed on the sky. Adjust brightness, azimuth, and altitude for alignment.
Using the Finderscope
Align finderscope crosshairs with the object centered in the main telescope eyepiece.
Focusing the Telescope
Slowly turn focuser knobs until the image in the eyepiece is sharp. Refocus as needed.
Operating the EQ1 Mount
Polar Alignment
Align mount head to the celestial pole by tilting it according to local latitude.
Setting the Latitude
Remove tube and weights. Unlock hinge and adjust angle to match local latitude scale.
Finding Polaris
Locate Polaris, the 'Pole Star', near the North Celestial Pole for alignment.
Aligning Telescope to Polaris
Set DEC to 90°, face mount north, point R.A. axis at Polaris, and adjust azimuth.
Tracking Celestial Objects
Using the Setting Circles
Learn to use setting circles for locating celestial objects using star charts.
Reading the R.A. Setting Circle
Understand the R.A. scale, calibrated in hours, for Northern and Southern Hemisphere viewing.
Setting (Calibrating) the R.A. Setting Circle
Calibrate R.A. circle by centering a known star (e.g., Vega) and setting its coordinates.
Finding Objects Using Setting Circles
Use Dec and R.A. setting circles to find objects like M57, then center in Red Dot Finder.
Using the Barlow Lens
Barlow Lens Function
Increases magnification and apparent focal length by expanding the light cone.
Barlow Lens Placement
Insert between focuser and eyepiece, or diagonal and eyepiece for increased magnification.
Choosing Appropriate Eyepieces
Calculating Magnification
Magnification = Telescope Focal Length / Eyepiece Focal Length.
Calculating Field of View
True Field of View = Apparent Field of View / Magnification.
Calculating the Exit Pupil
Exit Pupil = Telescope Diameter / Magnification.
Observing the Sky
Sky Conditions
Assess air steadiness (seeing) and transparency for optimal viewing.
Selecting an Observing Site
Choose a dark, elevated, unobstructed site away from city lights and pollution.
Choosing the Best Time to Observe
Observe during clear, still air, preferably early morning hours after Earth has cooled.
Cooling the Telescope
Allow 10-30 minutes for telescope to reach ambient air temperature to minimize distortion.
Adapting Your Eyes
Avoid bright light for 30 mins prior, use red light, and observe with both eyes open.
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