INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 3
ASSEMBLY ................................................................................................................................... 6
Setting up the Tripod .................................................................................................................. 6
Installing the Finderscope ......................................................................................................... 10
Aligning the Finderscope.......................................................................................................... 10
TELESCOPE BASICS ................................................................................................................. 11
Image Orientation ..................................................................................................................... 12
Focusing.................................................................................................................................... 12
Calculating Magnification ........................................................................................................ 12
Determining Field of View ....................................................................................................... 13
General Observing Hints........................................................................................................... 13
ASTRONOMY BASICS .............................................................................................................. 14
Motion of the Stars.................................................................................................................... 15
CELESTIAL OBSERVING ......................................................................................................... 16
Observing the Moon ................................................................................................................. 16
Observing the Planets ............................................................................................................... 16
Observing the Sun..................................................................................................................... 16
Seeing Conditions ..................................................................................................................... 19
ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY............................................................................................................ 20
Terrestrial Photography ............................................................................................................ 20
TELESCOPE MAINTENANCE .................................................................................................. 21
Collimation of a Newtonian...................................................................................................... 21
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES ..................................................................................................... 24
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