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instruction Manual
®
orion
™
starMax 90 EQ
#9821 Equatorial Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope
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IN 162 Rev. C 06/08
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Finder scope bracket Finder scope Mounting block Eyepiece Counterweight shaft Star diagonal Right Ascension slow‑motion control Declination slow motion control Counterweight Counterweight lock knob Tripod leg Accessory tray Accessory tray bracket Leg lock knob Figure 1. Orion StarMax 90mm EQ 2
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Welcome to a new world of adventure. Your new StarMax 90mm EQ is designed for high‑resolution observing of astronomical objects, and can also be used for terrestrial exploration. With its precision optics and equatorial mount, you’ll be able to locate and enjoy hundreds of fascinating celestial objects, including the planets, Moon, and a variety of deep‑sky galaxies, nebulas, and star clusters. If you have never owned a telescope before, we would like to welcome you to amateur astronomy. Take
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Declination (Dec.) axis 1 Soft carry case 3. With the tripod legs now attached to the mount, stand the tripod upright (be careful!) and spread the legs apart 3 Assembly tools (small wrench, Phillips head enough to connect each end of the accessory tray brack‑ screwdriver, triangular assembly tool) et to the attachment point on each leg. Use the screw and 3 Leg attachment screws lock nut that come installed in each attachment point to do this. First, remove the screw using the supplied sc
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the latitude lock t‑ bolt, and turn the latitude adjustment star diagonal. Secure the diagonal with the thumbscrews tbolt ‑ until the pointer and the “40” line up. Then retighten on the eyepiece adapter. the latitude lock t‑ bolt. The declination (Dec.) and right 15. Now, insert the chrome barrel of the 25mm eyepiece into ascension (R.A.) axes may need re‑ positioning (rotation) the star diagonal. Secure the eyepiece with the thumb‑ as well. Be sure to loosen the R.A. and Dec. lock knobs sc
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2. Now loosen the counterweight lock knob and slide the Nylon thumbscrew weight along the shaft until it exactly counterbalances the tele‑ scope (Figure 3a). That’s the point at which the shaft remains O‑Ring horizontal even when you let go of the telescope with both (not shown) hands (Figure 3b). 3. Retighten the counterweight lock knob. Rubber The telescope is now balanced on the R.A. axis. It is not nec‑ eyeguard essary to balance the telescope on the Dec. axis, since the optical tube’
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to compensate for that motion, allowing you to easily “track" unless you move to a different viewing location some dis‑ the movement of astronomical objects, thereby keeping them tance away. from drifting out of the telescope’s field of view while you’re 3. Loosen the Dec. lock knob and rotate the telescope opti‑ observing. cal tube until it is parallel with the R.A. axis, as it is in This is accomplished by slowly rotating the telescope on its Figure 1. The pointer on the Dec. setting circl
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t racking celestial objects 2. Loosen the R.A. and Dec. lock knobs on the equatorial mount, so the telescope optical tube can move freely. When you observe a celestial object through the telescope, you’ll see it drift slowly across the field of view. To keep it in 3. Point the telescope at the bright star whose coordi‑ the field, if your equatorial mount is polar aligned, just turn nates you know. Lock the R.A. and Dec. lock knobs. the R.A. slow‑motion control cable clockwise. The Dec. slo
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Similarly, to point the telescope directly south, the counter‑ 6. using Your t elescope— weight shaft should again be horizontal. Then you simply rotate the scope on the Dec. axis until it points in the south astronomical observing direction. choosing an observing site What if you need to aim the telescope directly north, but When selecting a location for observing, get as far away as at an object that is nearer to the horizon than Polaris? possible from direct artificial light such as stre
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adapted, more stars will glimmer into view and you’ll be able to ies are quite small, yet are somewhat bright, so higher power see fainter details in objects you view in your telescope. may show more detail. To see what you’re doing in the darkness, use a red‑ filtered The best rule of thumb with eyepiece selection is to start flashlight rather than a white light. Red light does not spoil with a low power, wide field, and then work your way up in your eyes’ dark adaptation like white light do
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C. The Planets deepsky ‑ objects except in a few of the brightest ones. But as you become more experienced and your observing skills get The planets don’t stay put like the stars, so to find them you sharper, you will be able to ferret out more and more subtle should refer to Sky Calendar at our website (www.telescope. details and structure. com), or to charts published monthly in Astronomy, Sky & Telescope, or other astronomy magazines. Venus, Mars, How to Find Deep‑sky objects: star Hop
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French astronomer Charles Messier, which represent some the finder scope is covered with foil or some other completely of the best and brightest deep‑sky objects. opaque material. Determine in which constellation the object lies. Now, find the constellation in the sky. If you do not recognize the constella‑ 8. Photography tions on sight, consult a planisphere. The planisphere gives an all‑sky view and shows which constellations are visible on With an optional camera adapter, the StarMax 90mm
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the finder scope caps on if you leave it attached to the optical 10. specifications tube. Optical design: MaksutovCasseg ‑ rain cleaning the t ube Aperture: 90mm Your StarMax 90mm EQ telescope requires very little Effective focal length: 1250mm mechanical maintenance. The optical tube is aluminum and has a smooth painted finish that is fairly scratch‑ resistant. If Focal ratio: f/13.9 a scratch does appear on the tube, it will not harm the tele‑ Central obstruction diameter: 29mm scope. If y
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one‑Year limited Warranty ™ This Orion StarMax 90mm EQ is warranted against defects in materials or workmanship for a period of one year from the date of purchase. This warranty is for the benefit of the original retail purchaser only. During this warranty period Orion Telescopes & Binoculars will repair or replace, at Orion’s option, any warranted instrument that proves to be defective, provided it is returned postage paid to: Orion Warranty Repair, 89 Hangar Way, Watsonville, CA 95076. If
