Altitude And Azimuth (Aiming The Telescope); Altitude Tension Adjustment; Focusing The Telescope - Orion 10022 StarMax Instruction Manual

Phillips head
screws
Figure 9a:
Detail of the Photo tripod adapter
usage because the image in the eyepiece is inverted (upside-
down). The eyepiece will also be too low to the ground for
comfortable viewing when pointed near the horizon.
Placing the TableTop
One of the great assets of the TableTop is its extremely por-
table size. Due to its overall short length, you will find that
viewing while sitting down on the ground next to the telescope
is the most comfortable. If you wish to raise the telescope off
the ground so that it can be used while standing or sitting in
a chair, then a platform, such as a milk crate or table can be
used.
Using the TableTop on a Tripod
One useful feature of the TableTop line is the inclusion of a
built-in photo tripod adapter allowing you to mount the base
on a standard photo tripod. This is best done as a tripod only
– without a panhead mounted on it. Most photo tripods use
either a 3/8" or ¼"-20 thread to attach a panhead. Using this
same post you can thread the TableTop base directly to your
tripod giving you maximum versatility in setting up your tele-
scope. The TableTop base includes a 3/8" female thread and a
pre-assembled ¼"-20 stainless steel adapter. You can remove
the adapter using a flat head screwdriver. Simply thread the
base onto the post until it is tight. (See Figures 9a, 9b, 10.)

Altitude and Azimuth (Aiming the Telescope)

The TableTop altazimuth base permits motion along two
axes: altitude (up/down) and azimuth (left/right). Moving the
telescope up/down and right/left is the "natural" way people
search for objects; which makes pointing the telescope intui-
tive and easy.
Simply take hold of the telescope tube opening at the top or
the side brace and move it left or right so that the base rotates.
Move it up or down in the same manner. Both motions can be
made simultaneously and in a continuous manner for easy
aiming. This way you can point to any position in the night sky,
from horizon to horizon.
8
1/4-20"
adapter
3/8" thread
Figure 9b:
Removing the ¼"-20 adapter

Altitude Tension Adjustment

When aiming the telescope in altitude, you may find that the
optical tube is either too hard to move or does not stay in
place. Use the altitude adjustment tension knob to change the
amount of tension between the optical tube and the altazi-
muth base to find the right level of tension to properly move
and balance the telescope. (Refer to Figure 1d to identify the
Altitude Tension Knob).
Azimuth Tension Adjustment
In the event that adjustments to the azimuth axis need to be
made you will first need to remove the Photo Tripod Adapter.
This is very easy to do. Simply loosen and remove the three
phillips-head screws on the underside of the base (Figure 9a).
The Adapter will lift right off of the base. Once you have made
the necessary adjustments reinstall by aligning the holes in
the adapter to the holes on the base plate and re-tighten the
three Phillips-head screws. If you are not taking advantage of
the tripod mounting you can leave this base off. Store it in a
safe place with the hardware in case you wish to use it later.
To adjust the azimuth tension you will need to tighten or loos-
en the lock nut on the circular plate at the base of the tele-
scope. This is very easy to do; though it will require the use of
two wrenches. The first is needed to hold the bolt underneath
the base while the second is used to adjust the lock nut at the
top of the base. Because these telescopes are so lightweight
it is not unusual that you may be able to spin the lock nut
with your fingers. This does not necessarily indicate that the
assembly is too loose. As long as the base moves without ten-
sion and the base plates do not wobble further adjustment is
not necessary. (See Figure 11.)

Focusing the Telescope

Using the lower power eyepiece inserted and secured with
the thumbscrews, aim the optical tube so the front end is
pointing in the general direction of an object at least 1/4-mile
away. With your fingers, slowly rotate one of the focus wheels
until the object comes into sharp focus. A good method to
ensure you've hit the exact focus point is go a little bit beyond