Introduction - Celestron STAR HOPPER Instruction Manual

Congratulations on your purchase and welcome to the Celestron world of astronomy. If you're a newcomer to the
hobby of astronomy, some of the terms and telescope components described in this instruction manual may be new
to you. To assist you in assembling and operating your telescope, the next few pages will explain some commonly
used terms and show diagrams of your new telescope and its components. If you're already well-versed in the
language of astronomy and telescopes, you might want to review these sections, then move on to unpacking and
assembling your new Celestron telescope.
Please note that the Star Hopper® 4½ comes pre-assembled, so the sections that will be most useful to you initially
are about setting your telescope up for use, including:
Balancing the telescope - page 10
Collimation - pages 12-13
Telescope basics - pages 15
You'll also find this instruction manual contains a wealth of useful information on celestial observing, commonly
used terms in astronomy, instruction on the care of your telescope, and optional accessories to enhance your
viewing experience.
Celestron's Star Hopper® Dobsonians are designed for beginners, yet they include advanced features that even
an experienced observer will appreciate. Below is an overview of these features, followed by more detailed
information in the next section.
Balance Systems
Star Hoppers provide smooth, low friction altitude movement, allowing quick and easy balancing when using
optional accessories, such as heavier oculars or finderscopes. Without proper balance, such fine aiming
adjustments as centering an object in a high power eyepiece are difficult. Celestron is the only company to offer
an adjustable counterbalance system standard on its Dobsonian telescopes. In addition, the telescope tube ring on
the Star Hopper® 4½ allows for rotation of the telescope tube in a circular motion, for easy adjustment while
observing.
Optics
The Star Hopper® 4½ mirror cell is carefully designed to support the telescope's optical elements, without
stressing or pinching them, a common source of image distortion with other designs. This system keeps the optics
clean and the low mass primary mirror means cool down time is short.
The Star Hopper® 6 and 8 feature Celestron's V-Spectrum LTM (low thermal mass) Optical System. This
system includes a unique molded Pyrex mirror, multicoated for increased reflectivity. It's mounted on the
Pinnacle mirror cell and provides superior optical and thermal qualities.
The V- Spectrum LTM mirror is manufactured and hand figured to reach the optimal marriage of weight to
optical surface, resulting in a mirror with 40% less mass than traditional mirrors. Reduced mass lowers the "cool
down" period required to bring the mirror to ambient temperature, leaving more time for observing.

INTRODUCTION

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