Celestron Telescope CR 150 HD User Manual

The CR-150 HD

6" Refractor

Model #21017

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

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...........................................................................................................

Observing the Moon .......................................................................................................................36

ObservingthePlanets .....................................................................................................................37

Using the Lens Cap Aperture Stop.............................................................................................37

ObservingtheSun ..........................................................................................................................37

Observing Deep-Sky Objects...........................................................................................................38

Using the Setting Circles ....................................................................................................38

StarHopping .....................................................................................................................39

ViewingConditions ........................................................................................................................41

Transparency ....................................................................................................................41

Sky Illumination ...............................................................................................................41

Seeing ...............................................................................................................................41

CELESTIAL PHOTOGRAPHY .................................................................................................... 4 3

Short Exposure Prime Focus...........................................................................................................44

Piggyback ......................................................................................................................................46

ProjectionPhotography ..................................................................................................................48

TELESCOPE MAINTENANCE.................................................................................................... 4 9

CareandCleaningoftheOptics.......................................................................................................49

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES .......................................................................................................... 5 0

THE MESSIER CATALOG............................................................................................................ 5 3

LIST OF BRIGHT STARS .............................................................................................................. 5 6

FOR FURTHER READING ........................................................................................................... 5 7

Table of Contents

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I N T R O D U C T I O N

WelcometotheCelestronworldofamateurastronomy! Formorethanaquarterofa

century,Celestronhasprovidedamateurastronomerswiththetoolstoexplorethe

universe. ThelineofCelestronrefractorscontinuesinthisproudtradition. Each

telescopeismadeofthehighestqualitymaterialstoensuredurabilityandstability.

And,yourCelestronrefractorisversatile —itwillgrowasyourinterestgrows. All

thisaddsuptoatelescopethatwillgiveyoualifetimeofpleasurewithaminimal

amountofmaintenance. Allyouneedtodoistakethetimetofamiliarizeyourself

withyourCelestrontelescopeanditsoperation.

•

Introduction

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How to Use This Manual

This manual is designed to instruct you in the proper use of your Celestron

refracting telescope. This includes assembly, initial use, and long term operation

and maintenance. There are four major sections to the manual. The first section

covers the proper procedure for setting up your Celestron refracting telescope.

Thesecondsectioncoversbasicoperationsthatarecommontoalltelescopes. This

includesattachingtheaccessories,focusing,aligningthefinderscope,andtaking

yourfirstlook.

Thethirdsectiondealswiththebasicsofastronomyandusingyourtelescopefor

astronomicalviewing. Thisincludespolaralignment,aligningthesettingcirclesand

usingyourCelestronforastronomicalobservations,bothvisualandphotographic.

Thelastmajorsectionisontelescopemaintenance,specificallyoncareandcleaning.

Inadditiontothemajorsectionslistedabove, thereisalistofoptionalaccessories

for all models of Celestron refractors. This includes a brief description of the

accessory and its purpose.

Finally,thereisalistofcelestialobjectsvisiblethroughyourCelestrontelescope.

Includedarethecoordinatesforeachobject,itsbrightnessandacodewhich

indicates object type. In addition, there is a list of bright stars that can be used for

aligning the setting circles on the CG-5 equatorial mount.

Youshouldkeepyourrefractormanualhandyuntilyouhavefullymasteredyour

telescope’soperation.

YourCelestronrefractorisdesignedtogiveyouhoursoffunandrewardingobserva-

tions. However, thereareafewthingstoconsiderbeforeusingyourtelescopethat

willensureyoursafetyandprotectyoureyesandyourequipment.

AWordofCaution!

WARNING !

NEVERLOOKDIRECTLYATTHESUNWITHTHENAKEDEYEORWITH

ATELESCOPE. PERMANENTANDIRREVERSIBLEEYEDAMAGEMAY

RESULT.

NEVERUSEYOURTELESCOPETOPROJECTANIMAGEOFTHESUN

ONTOANYSURFACE. INTERNALHEATBUILD-UPCANDAMAGETHE

TELESCOPE AND/OR ANY ACCESSORIES ATTACHED TO IT.

NEVERUSEANEYEPIECESOLARFILTERORAHERSCHELWEDGE.

INTERNALHEATBUILD-UPINSIDETHETELESCOPECANCAUSE

THESEDEVICESTOCRACKORBREAK,ALLOWINGUNFILTERED

SUNLIGHTTOPASSTHROUGHTOTHEEYE.

NEVERLEAVETHETELESCOPEUNSUPERVISED,EITHERWHENCHIL-

DREN ARE PRESENT OR ADULTS WHO MAY NOT BE FAMILIAR WITH

THECORRECTOPERATINGPROCEDURESOFYOURTELESCOPE.

NEVERPOINTYOURTELESCOPEATTHESUNUNLESSYOUHAVETHE

PROPERSOLARFILTER. WHENUSINGYOURTELESCOPEWITHTHE

CORRECTSOLARFILTER, ALWAYSCOVERTHEFINDER. ALTHOUGH

SMALLINAPERTURE,THISINSTRUMENTHASENOUGHLIGHTGATH-

ERINGPOWERTOCAUSEPERMANENTANDIRREVERSIBLEEYE

DAMAGE. INADDITION, THEIMAGEPROJECTEDBYTHEFINDERIS

HOTENOUGHTOBURNSKINORCLOTHING.

Introduction

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The Refractor Optical

System

Developed in the early 1600s, the refractor is the oldest telescope design. It

derives its name from the method it uses to focus incoming light rays. The

refractor uses a lens to bend or refract incoming light rays, hence the name (see

Figure 1-1). Early designs used single element lenses. However, the single lens

acts like a prism and breaks light down into the colors of the rainbow, a phenom-

enon known as chromatic aberration. To get around this problem, a two-element

lens, known as an achromat, was introduced. Each element has a different index of

refraction allowing two different wavelengths of light to be focused at the same

point. Most two-element lenses, usually made of crown and flint glasses, are

corrected for red and green light. Blue light may still be focused at a slightly

different point.

Figure 1-1

This cross sectional diagram shows the light path of a classical two-element refractor.

The Mount

In the world of astronomy, there are basically two different types of mounts;

Altazimuth and equatorial. Both derive their names from the axial motion of the

mount. The Altazimuth moves vertically (altitude) and horizontally (azimuth)

relative to the horizon. The equatorial mount has its axis of rotation tilted so that

it can be aligned with the Earth’s axis of rotation. When this is done, the telescope

(when fitted with an optional clock drive) can track the stars. The directional

movements on this mount are North/South and East/West. The Celestron CR-

150 HD, 6 inch refractor uses a German equatorial mount called the CG-5 mount.

•

Introduction

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A S S E M B L I N G Y O U R C R - 1 5 0 H D

AT POLARIS C

The CR-150 HD (#21017) refracting telescope is offered on a German equatorial

mount. The CR-150 HD is shipped in two boxes. The first box includes the

optical tube and all of the standard accessories, which include:

• 20mm Plossl Ocular 1-1/4"

• Star Diagonal 1-1/4"

• 2x Barlow Lens 1-1/4", with built-in Camera Adapter

• 9x50mm Finder and Bracket

• Lens Cap with 112mm aperture stop

The second box contains the tripod, equatorial mount and the hardware

needed to set it up. Included are the:

• CG-5 German Equatorial Mount

• Counterweight Bar

• Two 5.1Kg (11 lb.) Counterweights

• Declination (DEC) Slow Motion Knob

• Right Ascension (R.A.) Slow Motion Knob

•AdjustableAluminiumTripod

• Accessory Tray

Unpacking Your

CR-150 HD

Whensettingupthetelescope,findalarge,clearareawherethepartscanbelaidout

withoutfearoflosingthem. Startwiththetripodandmount. Removethecontentsof

theboxandplacethemneatlyonyourworksurface. Leavetheopticaltubeinitsbox

until you are ready to attach it to the mount. Once your CR-150 HD has been

unpacked and assembled, you will not need the shipping boxes for everyday

storage and transportation. However, you should save them in case you decide to

ship your telescope via a common carrier.

The CR-150 HD

•

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The CR-150 HD

Figure 2-1

1. Lens Cap (not shown)

2. Dovetail Slidebar

3. Declination Lock

4. Declination Setting Circle

5.CounterweightShaft

6.Counterweights

9. Leg Extension Clamp

10.LatitudeAdjustmentScrew

11. Focus Knobs

12. Eyepiece

13. Finderscope Bracket

14.Finderscope

7. Tripod Leg

8. Accessory Tray

15. Tube Mounting Rings

16.OpticalTube

•

The CR-150 HD

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Assembling the CG-5 Equatorial Mount

Setting Up the Tripod

The tripod comes fully assembled with the metal plate, called the tripod head, that

holds the legs together at the top. In addition, the brackets that support the acces-

sorytrayarealsoattachedtothetripod.

Stand the tripod upright and pull the tripod legs apart until the leg brace

assembly for the accessory tray is fully extended (see figure 2-2). The tripod

will now stand by itself. To increase the stability, tighten the bolts that hold

the legs to the tripod head (use the appropriate size wrench from the supplied

set). This will help minimize any flexure or wobble of the legs.

Adjusting the Tripod

Height

Once the tripod is set up, you can adjust the height at which it stands. To do

this:

1. Loosen the knob on the leg clamp so that the tripod leg can be adjusted.

2. Slidethecenterportionofthetripodlegawayfromthetripodheaduntilitis at

thedesiredheight.

3. Tighten the knobs on each leg clamp to hold the legs in place.

Tripod Head

Figure 2-2

Setting up the tripod requires nothing more than pulling the tripod legs away from the

tripod head. The height at which the tripod stands can be adjusted by sliding the slats

in the center of each leg toward or away from the tripod head.

The CR-150 HD

•

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Attaching the Accessory

Tray

With the tripod set up, you are ready to attach the accessory tray to the tripod.

There are three wing bolts that hold the accessory tray to the bracket.

1. Locatethethreewingbolts.

2. Place the accessory tray over the bracket and position it so the thread

holes in the accessory tray are above the slotted holes in the bracket.

3. Insert the wing bolts up through the slotted holes in the bracket (see figure

2-3).

4. Thread the wing bolts into the holes in the accessory tray.

5. Tighten the wing bolts fully.

With the accessory tray in place, the tripod will be much more stable making it

easier to attach the mount and telescope.

Figure 2-3

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The CR-150 HD

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Attaching the Equatorial

Mount

Theequatorialmountallowsyoutotiltthetelescope’saxisofrotationsothatyou

cantrackthestarsastheymoveacrossthesky. TheCG-5mountisaGerman

equatorialmountthatattachestothetripodhead(i.e.,metalplateonthetripod). On

onesideoftheplatethereisan“N”whichsignifiesnorth. Thissideofthetripodwill

facenorthwhensettingupforanastronomicalobservingsession. Abovethe“N”is

apegabout3/4"highthatpointsstraightup. Toattachtheequatorialhead:

1. Locate the azimuth adjustment screws on the equatorial mount.

2. Retract the screws so they no longer extend into the azimuth housing

(rectangular extrusion) on the mount. Do NOT remove the screws since

they are needed later for polar alignment.

3. Hold the equatorial mount over the tripod head so that the azimuth housing

is above the metal peg.

4. Place the equatorial mount on the tripod head so that the two are flush.

5. Tighten the knob on the underside of the tripod head to hold the equatorial

mount firmly in place. The knob is already attached and can NOT be

removed.

Figure 2-4

The CR-150 HD

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AttachingtheR.A. SlowMotionKnob

With the mount securely in place, you are ready to attach some of the accessories

(the telescope tube will be added last). Start with the Right Ascension (R.A.) slow

motionknob. TheR.A.slowmotionknoballowsyoutomakefinepointingadjust-

mentsinthedirectionthetelescopeisaiming(onceitisattachedtothemount). To

installtheknob:

1. Locate the hard plastic shell under the R.A. shafts.

2. Remove either of the two oval tabs by pulling tightly.

3. Line up the flat area on the inner portion of the R.A. slow motion knob with

the flat area on the R.A. shaft.

4. Slide the R.A. slow motion knob onto the R.A. shaft.

The knob is a tension fit, so sliding it on holds it in place. As mentioned

above, there are two R.A. shafts, one on either side of the mount. It makes no

difference which shaft you use since both work the same. Use whichever one

you find more convenient. If, after a few observing sessions, you find the R.A.

slow motion knob is more accessible from the other side, pull firmly to remove

the knob, then install it on the opposite side.

Mounting Platform

Telescope

Mounting Screw

Mounting Platform

Safety Screw

DEC Lock

Lever

DEC Slow Motion

Knob

RA Lock

Lever

Declination Setting

Circle

R.A. Slow Motion

Knob

R.A. Setting

Circle

Polar Housing

Cover

Altitude Adjustment

Control

Azimuth Adjustment

Controls

Figure 2-5

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The CR-150 HD

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AttachingtheDeclinationSlowMotionKnob

LiketheR.A.slowmotionknob,theDECslowmotionknoballowsyoutomakefine

pointingadjustmentsinthedirectionthetelescopeispointed.

TheDECslowmotionknobattachesinthesamemannerastheR.A.knob. Theshaft

thattheDECslowmotionknobfitsoveristowardthetopofthemount,justbelow

thetelescopemountingplatform. Onceagain,youhavetwoshaftstochoosefrom.

Usetheshaftthatispointingtowardtheground. Thismakesiteasytoreachwhile

lookingthroughthetelescope,somethingwhichisquiteimportantwhenyouare

observing.

1. Line up the flat area on the inner portion of the DEC slow motion knob with

the flat area on the DEC shaft.

2. Slide the DEC slow motion knob over the DEC shaft (see figure 2-6).

Figure 2-6

The CR-150 HD

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Attaching the Counterweight Bar and Counterweights

Thelastitemtobemountedbeforethetelescopetubeisthecounterweightbarand

counterweights. Usedtobalancedthetelescope,thecounterweightbarattachesto

theoppositesideofthemountasthetelescope. Toinstallthecounterweight bar:

1. Retract the counterweight bar lock nut by turning it counterclockwise. This

will expose the threads on the end of the counterweight bar.

2. Thread the counterweight bar into the mount completely. Once again, it

threads into the mount opposite the telescope tube (see figure 2-7).

3. Tighten the counterweight bar lock nut fully for added support.

The counterweight bar is now installed. With the counterweight bar in place,

you are ready to attach the counterweights.

1. Lock the DEC clamp to hold the mount in place.

2. Remove the safety thumbscrew on the end of the counterweight bar.

3. Loosen the set screw on the counterweight itself so that the central hole of

the counterweight is unobstructed.

4. Slide the counterweight onto the counterweight bar. Move it high enough

to allow room for the second weight (see figure 2-7).

5. Tighten the set screw on the counterweight to hold it in position.

6. Repeat this process for the second weight.

7. Replace the safety thumbscrew on the end of the counterweight bar. The

thumbscrew will prevent the counterweights from sliding off the bar should

they ever become loose.

Figure 2-7

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The CR-150 HD

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Attaching the Telescope

to the Mount

With the mount fully assembled, you are ready to attach the telescope to the

mount.

The optical tube attaches to the mount using a dovetail slidebar that is fastened to

twotuberingsthatclamparoundthetube.

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Beforeyouattachtheopticaltube, fullytightentherightascensionanddeclination

clamps. Thiswillpreventthetelescopefrommovingsuddenlyonceattachedtothe

mount.

1. Loosen the hand knob on the side of the CG-5 mount.

2. Slide the dovetail bar that is attached to the telescope's tube rings onto the

mounting platform of the CG-5 mount (see figure 2-8).

3. Tighten the knob on the CG-5 mount to hold the telescope in place.

NOTE:

Never loosen any of the knobs on the telescope tube or mount. Also, be sure

that the objective lens end of the telescope is pointing away from the ground at all

times.

Tube Rings

Dovetail

Bracket

Figure 2-8

This illustration shows the optical tube mounted on the CG-5 mount. The dovetail slide

bar has been attached to the telescope tube and is ready to attach to the CG-5 mount.

The CR-150 HD

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Balancing the Telescope

in R.A.

Toeliminateunduestressonthemount,thetelescopeshouldbeproperlybalanced

aroundthepolaraxis. Inaddition,properbalancingiscrucialforaccuratetrackingif

usinganoptionalmotordrive. Tobalancethemount:

1. Release the R.A. Clamp and position the telescope off to one side of the

mount (make sure that the balance bracket thumbscrew is tight). The

counterweight bar will extend horizontally on the opposite side of the

mount (see figure 2-9).

2. Release the telescope — GRADUALLY — to see which way the telescope

“rolls.”

3. Loosen the set screw on one or both counterweights.

4. Move the counterweights to a point where they balance the telescope (i.e.,

it remains stationary when the R.A. clamp is released).

5. Tighten the set screw to hold the counterweight(s) in place.

These are general balance instructions and will reduce undue stress on the

mount. When taking astrophotos, this balance process should be done for the

specific area at which the telescope is pointing.

Figure 2-9

The telescope should be balanced after all the standard accessories (i.e., star diagonal,

eyepiece, etc.) have been attached to the telescope. The correct procedure for attaching

these accessories is discussed in the section on “Telescope Basics.”

•

The CR-150 HD

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Balancing the Telescope

in DEC

The telescope should also be balanced on the declination axis to prevent any

sudden motions when the DEC clamp is released. To balance the telescope in

DEC:

1. Release the R.A. clamp and rotate the telescope so that it is on one side

of the mount (i.e., as described in the previous section on balancing the

telescope in R.A.).

2. Lock the R.A. clamp to hold the telescope in place.

3. Release the DEC clamp and rotate the telescope until the tube is parallel

to the ground (see figure 2-10).

4. Release the tube — GRADUALLY — to see which way it rotates around

the declination axis. DO NOT LET GO OF THE TELESCOPE TUBE

COMPLETELY!

5. Slightly loosen the balance bracket thumbscrew and slide the telescope

either forward or backward until it remains stationary when the DEC clamp

is released. Do NOT let go of the telescope tube while the balance

bracket thumbscrew is loose.

6. Tighten the thumbscrew firmly to hold the telescope in place.

Like the R.A. balance, these are general balance instructions and will reduce

undue stress on the mount. When taking astrophotographs, this balance

process should be done for the specific area at which the telescope is pointing.

Figure 2-10

As with R.A., the telescope should be balanced in DEC after all the standard accessories

(i.e., star diagonal, eyepiece, etc.) have been attached to the telescope.

The CR-150 HD • 17

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Adjusting the Mount

in Altitude

For the purpose of polar alignment, there are two directions in which the mount

can be adjusted; vertically, which is called altitude and horizontally, which is

calledazimuth. Thereareseveralwaystoalignonthecelestialpole,someofwhich

arediscussedlaterinthismanual. Thissectionsimplycoversthecorrectmovement

ofthemountduringthepolaralignmentprocess. Toadjustthemountinaltitude(i.e.,

raiseorlowertheangleofthepolaraxis),turnthealtitudeadjustmentlever:

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Turningtheleverclockwiseincreasestheangleatwhichthepolaraxisis

pointing

Turningthelevercounterclockwiselowerstheangleatwhichthepolaraxisis

pointing.

The latitude adjustment on the CG-5 mount has a range of 40°, starting at 20°

going up to 60°.

Adjusting the Mount

in Azimuth

For rough adjustments in azimuth, simply pick up the telescope and tripod and

move it. For fine adjustments in azimuth:

1. Turn the azimuth adjustment screws located on either side of the azimuth

housing. While standing behind the telescope, the knobs are on the front

of the mount.

• Turning the right adjustment knob clockwise moves the mount toward the

right.

• Turning the left adjustment knob clockwise moves the mount to the left.

Both screws push off of the peg on the tripod head, which means you may

have to loosen one screw while tightening the other. The screw that holds the

equatorial mount to the tripod may have to be loosened slightly.

Figure 2-11

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The CR-150 HD

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Disassembling and

Transporting Your CR-

150 HD

The entire telescope and mount is light enough to pick up and carry outside for a

casual observing session. If, however, you want to transport your CR-150 HD to a

remote observing location, you must partially disassemble it. Here’s how:

1. Removethetelescopefromtheequatorialmount. Returnittotheshipping

carton to ensure safe transportation.

2. Remove the three wing bolts that hold the accessory tray to the tripod.

3. Pull the accessory tray off the bracket.

4. Thread the wing bolts back onto the accessory tray once they are removed

from the bracket. This will eliminate the possibility of losing them.

5. Fold the tripod legs together and you are ready to transport your CR-150 HD

telescope.

The equatorial mount does NOT have to be removed if you are transporting the

telescope yourself. However, you may want to remove the counterweights from

the counterweight bar to lighten the mount.

If you are shipping the telescope via a common carrier, you should completely

disassemble the telescope and return all parts to their original shipping

container.

When not in use, your Celestron CR-150 HD can be left fully assembled and set

up. However, all lens and eyepiece covers should be put back in place. The

opening to the rear cell must also be covered. This will reduce the amount of

dust build-up on the optical surfaces and reduce the number of times you need

to clean the instrument. You may want to return everything to its original

shipping container and store all the parts there. If this is the case, all optical

surfaces should still be covered to prevent dust build-up.

Storing Your CR-

150 HD

Below is pertinent technical information on your Celestron CR-150 HD refractor

telescope that you may find useful.

Technical

Specifications

OPTICAL TUBE:

Optical System:

Aperture:

FocalLength:

F/ratio:

CR-150 HD

Refractor

6" (150mm)

1200mm (48")

f/8

HighestUsefulPowerMagnification:

LowestUsefulPowerMagnification:

Resolution(arcseconds):

PhotographicResolution:

Light Gathering Power:

LimitingVisualMagnitude:

Optical Tube Length:

Weight

360x

21x

0.33

182 lines/mm

459x

13.4

50.5"

Optical Tube:

18.5 lbs.

The CR-150 HD • 19

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T E L E S C O P E

B A S I C S

Once your telescope has been fully assembled, you are ready to attach the

accessories and have a look. This section deals with basic telescope opera-

tionsthatarecommontoallCelestronrefractortelescopes.

ThereareseveralaccessoriesthatcomestandardwithalltheCelestronrefractor

telescopes. The installation and use of each of these is described in this section.

Attaching the

Accessories

The Star Diagonal

The star diagonal uses a mirror that reflects the light at a right angle to the light

path of the telescope. This allows you to observe in positions that are physi-

cally more comfortable than if you were to look straight through. To attach the

star diagonal:

1. Turnthesetscrewontheaccessoryadapteruntilitnolongerextendsinto(i.e.,

obstructs)itsinnerdiameterofthevisualback.

2. Slidethechromeportionofthestardiagonalintotheaccessoryadapter(see

figure4-1).

3. Tighten the set screw to hold the star diagonal in place.

If you wish to change the orientation of the star diagonal, loosen the set screw

on the visual back until the star diagonal rotates freely. Rotate the diagonal to

the desired position and tighten the set screw.

The Eyepiece

The eyepiece, or ocular, is an optical element that magnifies the image

focused by the telescope. The eyepiece(s) fits into either the accessory adapter

directly,thestardiagonal,oranerectimagediagonal(seeOptionalAccessories

section). Toattachaneyepiece:

1. Loosen the set screw on the star diagonal so that it does not obstruct the

inner diameter of the eyepiece end of the diagonal.

2. Slide the chrome portion of the eyepiece into the star diagonal (see figure

4-1).

3. Tighten the set screw to hold the eyepiece in place.

To remove the eyepiece, loosen the set screw on the star diagonal and slide

the eyepiece out. You can then replace it with another ocular.

•

Telescope Basics

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Eyepiecesarecommonlyreferredtobyfocallengthandbarreldiameter. Thefocal

lengthofeacheyepieceisprintedontheeyepiecebarrel. Thelongerthefocallength

(i.e.,thelargerthenumber)thelowertheeyepiecemagnification(i.e.,power)andthe

shorterthefocallength(i.e.,thesmallerthenumber)thehigherthemagnification.

Generally,youwilluselow-to-moderatepowerwhenviewing. Formoreinformation

onhowtodeterminepower,seethesectionon“CalculatingMagnification.”

Barrel diameter is the diameter of the barrel that slides into the star diagonal or

accessory adapter. Your CR-150 HD refracting telescope can use eyepieces with

both a 1-1/4" barrel diameter and 2" barrel diameter. To use a 2" barrel eyepiece,

the 1 1/4" accessory adapter must first be removed. To do this, simply loosen the

two chrome thumbscrews located around the focuser barrel (see figure 4-1) and

remove the 1 1/4" adapter. Once removed, a 2" eyepiece or accessory can be

inserted directly into the focuser barrel and secured with the two thumb screws.

1 1/4" Accessory

FocuserTension

Adapter

Screw

Built-inT-Adapter

Thread

2"Focuser

Barrel

FocuserKnob

Figure 4-1

Telescope Basics

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Focusing

Tofocusyourtelescope,simplyturneitherofthefocusknobslocatedunderthefocus

tube(seefigure4-1). Turnthefocusknobsuntiltheimageissharp. Oncesharp,turnthe

knobs toward you to focus on an object that is closer than the one you are currently

observing. Turntheknobsawayfromyoutofocusonamoredistantobjectthantheone

youarecurrentlyobserving.

Whenworkingwithanyopticalinstrument,thereareafewthingstoremembertoensure

you get the best possible image.

•

Never look through window glass. Glass found in household windows is optically

imperfect,andasaresult,mayvaryinthicknessfromonepartofawindowtothenext.

Thisinconsistencycanandwillaffecttheabilitytofocusyourtelescope. Inmostcases

youwillnotbeabletoachieveatrulysharpimage,whileinsomecases,youmayactually

seeadoubleimage.

•

Neverlookacrossoroverobjectsthatareproducingheatwaves. Thisincludesasphalt

parkinglotsonhotsummerdaysorbuildingrooftops.

Hazyskies,fog,andmistcanalsomakeitdifficulttofocuswhenviewingterrestrially. The

amountofdetailseenundertheseconditionsisgreatlyreduced. Also,whenphotograph-

ingundertheseconditions,theprocessedfilmmaycomeoutalittlegrainierthannormal

withlowercontrastandunderexposed.

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Ifyouwearcorrectivelenses(specificallyglasses),youmaywanttoremovethemwhen

observingwithaneyepieceattachedtothetelescope. Whenusingacamera,however,

youshouldalwayswearcorrectivelensestoensurethesharpestpossiblefocus. Ifyou

haveastigmatism,correctivelensesmustbewornatalltimes.

Thefinderismountedinthebracketandonlyneedstobeattachedtothetelescope.

On the back of the telescope tube, just above the focusing knobs, there is a small

bracketwitharegularheadscrewinit. Thisiswherethefinderbracketismounted.

Toinstallthefinderscope:

Attaching the Finder

1. Locatethemountingbracketnearthebackofthetelescopetube.

2. Loosentheregularheadscrewfromthemountingbracketonthetelescope.

3. Slidethefinderbracketontothebracketonthetelescope. Thefinderbracketwill

slideinfromtheback. Orientthefindersothattheobjectivelensistowardthe

objective end of the telescope.

4. Tightentheregularheadscrewonthebrackettoholdthefinder inplace.

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Figure 4-2

The finder comes mounted in the finder bracket. To mount the finder to the telescope,

the finder bracket attaches to the mounting bracket on the telescope.

The CR-150 HD comes with a 9x50mm finder. The finder is designed to help you

Aligning the Finder

find objects that are easily overlooked in the main optics of the telescope. The first

numberusedtodescribethefinderisthepower. Thesecondnumberisthediameter

of the objective lens in millimeters. For example, the CR-150 HD finder is 9x50

which means it is 9 power and has a 50mm objective lens. Incidentally, power is

always compared to the unaided human eye. So, a 9 power finder magnifies

images nine times more than the human eye.

The9x50mmfinderisadjustedusingtwoadjustmentscrews,locatedonthetopand

ontheright(whenlookingthoughthefinder)ofthefinderbracketandaspring

loadedpivotscrew(locatedontheleftsideofthebracket). Thisallowsyoutoturn

thetopadjustmentscrewtomovethefinderscopeupanddown,andturntheright

adjustmentscrewtomovethefinderscoperighttoleft. Thespringloadedpivot

screw puts constant pressure on the finder so that the adjustment screws are always

makingcontactwiththefinder.

Tomakethingsalittleeasier,youshouldalignthefinderduringthedaywhenitis

easiertolocateobjects. Toalignthefinder:

1. Chooseaconspicuousobjectthatisover500yardsaway. Thiswilleliminate

anypossibleparallaxeffect.

2. Pointyourtelescopeatthetargetandcenteritinthemainopticsofthetelescope

(theeyepiece).

3. LocktheR.A.andDECclampstoholdthetelescopeinplace.

4. Checkthefindertoseewheretheobjectislocatedinthefieldofview.

5. Adjustthescrewsonthefinderbracket,tighteningonewhilelooseninganother,

untilthecrosshairsarecenteredonthetarget.

Accuratealignmentofthefinderwillmakeitmucheasiertofindobjectsinthemain

opticaltube.

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Image Orientation

Itshouldbenotedthattheimageorientationwillchangedependingontheviewing

configuration. Whenusingthestardiagonal,theimageisright-side-up,butreversed

fromleft-to-right. Ifinsertingtheeyepieceintotheaccessoryadapter(i.e.,without

thestardiagonal),theimageisinverted(upsidedownandreversedfromleft-to-right).

Thisholdstrueforthe9x50finderaswellasthetelescope. Forcorrectorientation

throughthetelescope,whichisimportantprimarilyforterrestrialobserving,usethe

optional45°erectimagediagonal 1-1/4"(#94112-A).

Actual image orientation as seen

with the unaided eye

Inverted image, as viewed with

the eyepiece directly in telescope

Reversed from left to right, as

viewed with a Star Diagonal

Figure 4-3

YourFirstLook

With the telescope fully assembled and all the accessories attached you are ready

for your first look. Your first look should be done in the daytime when it will be

easier to locate the locking clamps and adjustment handles. This will help to

familiarize you with your telescope, thus making it easier to use at night.

DaytimeObserving

Your Celestron CR-150 HD telescope works well as a terrestrial spotting scope.

When not used to examine objects in the night sky, it can be used to study objects

here on Earth.

WARNING !

NEVER POINT YOUR TELESCOPE AT THE SUN UNLESS

YOU HAVE THE PROPER SOLAR FILTER. PERMANENT

AND IRREVERSIBLE EYE DAMAGE MAY RESULT AS

WELL AS DAMAGE TO YOUR TELESCOPE. ALSO, NEVER

LEAVE YOUR TELESCOPE UNATTENDED DURING A

DAYTIME OBSERVING SESSION, ESPECIALLY WHEN

CHILDREN ARE PRESENT.

1. Beginbyfindingadistantobjectthatisfairlybright.

2. Inserttheeyepiece(onewithalargefocallength)intothetelescope.

3. ReleasetheR.A.andDECclampsandpointthetelescopeattheobjectyou

selected.

4. LocatetheobjectinyourfinderandlocktheR.A.and DECclamps.

5. Usetheslowmotionknobstocentertheobjectinthefieldofthefinder.

6. Oncecentered,lookthroughthemainopticsandtheobjectwillbethere(ifyou

alignedthefinderfirst).

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Nighttime Observing

Looking at objects in the sky is quite different than looking at objects on Earth.

For one, many objects seen in the daytime are easy to see with the naked eye and

can be located by using landmarks. In addition, objects on the ground are station-

ary, at least for the most part. In the night sky you will see a tremendous amount

of stars through the telescope that are not visible to the naked eye. One way to find

objects (at least initially) is by using other stars to guide you there. This method of

finding objects, known as star hopping, is very accurate. Yet it requires a fair

amount of time to learn the stars well enough to guide you to other objects. In

addition, the stars will appear to drift out of the field of view. This is due to the

Earth’s rotation. In fact, anything in the sky, day or night, will drift out unless the

telescope has been polar-aligned and an optional motor drive is running. There is

more on this in the section on “Polar Alignment.”

1. Orient the telescope so that the equatorial mount is pointing north, as

close to true north as possible. You can use a landmark that you know

faces north to get you in the general direction.

2. Adjust the mount until the latitude indicator points to the latitude of your

observing site.

3. Insert the eyepiece (low power) into the telescope to give you the widest

field possible.

4. You are now ready to observe.

5. Releasetherightascensionanddeclinationclampsandpointthetelescopeatthe

desiredtarget. TheMoonoroneofthebrighterplanetsisanidealfirsttarget.

6. Locate the object in the finder.

7. LocktheR.A.andDECclampstoholdthetelescopeinplace.

8. Center the object in the finder using the slow motion knobs.

9. Turn the focus knob until the image is sharp.

10. Take your time and study your subject. If looking at the Moon, look for

smalldetailsinthecraters.

That’sallthereistousingyourCelestrontelescope. However,don’tlimityourview

ofanobjecttoasingleeyepiece. Afterafewminutes, tryusingadifferentoptional

eyepiece,amorepowerfulone. Thisgivesyouanideaofhowthefieldofview

changes.

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You can change the power of your Celestron CR-150 HD telescope just by chang-

ing the eyepiece (ocular). To determine the magnification for your telescope, you

would simply divide the focal length of the telescope (1200mm) by the focal length

of the eyepiece that you are using. In equation format, the formula looks like this:

CalculatingMagnification

Focal Length of Telescope (mm)

Magnification=————————————————

Focal Length of Eyepiece (mm)

Let’ssay,forexample,thatyouareusinga20mmeyepiece. Todeterminethe

magnification,simplydividethefocallengthofyourtelescope(1200mm)bythefocal

lengthoftheeyepiece(20mm). Dividing1200by20yieldsamagnificationof60

power.

Although the power is variable, each instrument has a limit to the highest

useful magnification. The general rule is that 60 power can be used for every

inch of aperture. For example, the CR-150 HD is 6" in diameter. Multiplying 6

by 60 gives a maximum useful magnification of 360 power. Although this is the

maximum useful magnification, due to limiting atmospheric conditions most

observing is done in the range of 20 to 35 power for every inch of aperture which is

120 to 210 power for the CR-150 HD.

DeterminingFieldof

View

Determiningthefieldofviewisimportantifyouwanttogetanideaofthesizeofthe

objectyouareobserving. Tocalculatetheactualfieldofview,dividetheapparent

fieldoftheeyepiece(suppliedbytheeyepiecemanufacturer)bythemagnification. In

equationformat,theformulalookslikethis:

ApparentFieldofEyepiece

TrueField=———————————————

Magnification

Using the example we started with above, we can determine the field of view

usingthesame20mmeyepiece. The20mmeyepiecehasanapparentfieldofviewof

52°. Dividethe52°bythemagnification,whichis60power. Thisyieldsanactual

field of .87°, or a little more than three quarters of a degree.

Forterrestrialviewing,fieldsizeisoftenreferredtoasfeetatathousandyards. To

convert this to feet at one thousand yards, multiply the actual field of .87° by 52.5.

This produces a field width of 45.7 feet at one thousand yards.

The apparent field of each eyepiece that Celestron manufacturers is found in

theCelestronAccessoryCatalog(#93685).

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Your Celestron telescope can be used for both terrestrial and astronomical

photography. Your telescope has a fixed aperture and, as a result, a fixed f/ratio.

To properly expose your subjects photographically, you need to set your shutter

speed accordingly. Most 35mm single lens reflex (SLR) cameras offer through-the-

lens metering that lets you know if your picture is under or overexposed. This is

important for terrestrial photography where exposure times are measured in

fractions of a second. In astrophotography, the exposures are much longer,

requiring that you use the “B” setting on your camera. The actual exposure time is

determined by how long you keep the shutter open. More on this in the section on

“CelestialPhotography.”

GeneralPhotographyHints

Toreducevibrationwhentrippingtheshutter,useacablerelease. Releasingthe

shuttermanuallycancausevibration,somethingthatproducesblurredphotos. A

cablereleaseallowsyoutokeepyourhandsclearofthecameraandtelescope,thus

reducingthepossibilityofshakingthetelescope. Mechanicalshutterreleasescanbe

used, thoughair-typereleasesarebest.

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A S T R O N O M Y

B A S I C S

This section deals with observational astronomy in general. It includes infor-

mation on the night sky, polar alignment, and using your telescope for astro-

nomical observations.

In order to help find objects in the sky, astronomers use a celestial coordinate

system which is similar to our geographical coordinate system here on Earth.

The celestial coordinate system has poles, lines of longitude and latitude, and

an equator. For the most part, these remain fixed against the background

stars.

The Celestial Coordi-

nate System

The celestial equator runs 360 degrees around the Earth and separates the

northern celestial hemisphere from the southern. Like the Earth’s equator it

bears a reading of zero degrees. On Earth this would be latitude. However, in

the sky this is now referred to as declination, or DEC for short. Lines of

declination above and below the celestial equator are labeled for their angular

distance from the equator. The lines are broken down into degrees, minutes,

and seconds of arc. Declination readings south of the equator carry a minus

sign (-) in front of the number and those north are often preceded by a plus sign

(+).

The celestial equivalent of longitude is called Right Ascension, or R.A. for

short. Like the Earth’s lines of longitude, they run from pole to pole and are

evenly spaced 15 degrees apart. Although the longitude lines are separated by

an angular distance, they are also a measure of time. Each line of longitude is

one hour apart from the next. Since the Earth rotates once every 24 hours,

there are 24 lines total. The R.A. coordinates are marked off in units of time.

It begins with an arbitrary point in the constellation of Pisces designated as 0

hours, 0 minutes, 0 seconds. All other points are designated by how far (i.e.,

how long) they lag behind this coordinate after it passes overhead moving

toward the west.

Your Celestron telescope comes equipped with setting circles that translate

the celestial coordinates into a precise location for the telescope to point. The

setting circles will not work properly until you have polar aligned the telescope

and set the R.A. setting circle. Note that the process of polar alignment sets

the declination setting circle.

Figure 5-1

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Like the Sun, the stars also appear to move across the sky. This motion is caused

by the Earth’s rotation. For observers in the northern hemisphere, all stars appear

to move around the north celestial pole. For observers in the southern hemisphere,

all stars appear to move around the south celestial pole. This means that over a 24-

hour period, any given star will scribe out a complete circle around its respective

celestial pole. The farther you move away from the celestial pole, the larger this

circle becomes and is largest at the celestial equator. Stars near the celestial

equator rise in the east and set in the west. However, stars near the celestial poles

are always above the horizon. They are said to be circumpolar because they don’t

rise and set. You will never see the stars complete one circle because the sunlight

during the day washes out the starlight. However, part of this circular motion of

stars in this region of the sky can be seen by setting up a camera on a tripod and

opening the shutter for a couple of hours. The processed film will reveal circular

arcs that are centered on the pole. This information will be useful for certain

methods of polar alignment.

Motion of the Stars

Figure 5-2

All stars appear to rotate around the celestial poles. However, the appearance of this

motion varies depending on where you are looking in the sky. Near the north celestial

pole the stars scribe out recognizable circles centered on the pole (1). Stars near the

celestial equator also follow circular paths around the pole. But, the complete path is

interrupted by the horizon. These appear to rise in the east and set in the west (2).

Looking toward the opposite pole, stars curve or arc in the opposite direction scribing a

circle around the opposite pole (3).

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Polar Alignment

In order for the telescope to track the stars it must meet two criteria. First,

you need a drive motor that will move at the same rate as the stars. For the CR-150

HD there are two optional motor drives (#93518 and #93523) that can be fitted to

it. The second thing you need is to set the telescope’s axis of rotation so that it

tracks in the right direction. Since the motion of the stars across the sky is caused

by the Earth’s rotation about its axis, the telescope’s axis must be made parallel to

the Earth’s axis.

Polar alignment is the process by which the telescope’s axis of rotation is

aligned (made parallel) with the Earth’s axis of rotation. Once aligned, a

telescope with a clock drive will track the stars as they move across the sky.

The result is that objects observed through the telescope will appear stationary

(i.e., they will not drift out of the field of view). If your telescope does not use a

motor drive, all objects in the sky (day or night) will drift out of the field. This

apparent motion is caused by the Earth’s rotation. Even if you are not using a

motor drive, polar alignment is still desirable since it will reduce the number of

corrections needed to follow an object and will limit all corrections to one axis

(R.A.). There are several methods of polar alignment, all of which work on a

similar principle, but are performed somewhat differently. Each method will be

considered separately, beginning with the easier methods and working to the

more difficult, but more precise.

Although there are several methods mentioned here, you will never use all of

them during one particular observing session. Instead, you may use only one

if it is a casual observing session. Or, if you plan on astrophotography, you

may use two methods — one for rough alignment followed by a more accurate

method.

Definition:

The polar axis is the axis around which the telescope rotates when moving the

telescope in right ascension. This axis remains stationary as the telescope

moves in right ascension and declination.

Zenith

Horizon

Earth

Figure 5-3

When the telescope’s axis of rotation is parallel to the Earth’s axis, stars viewed

through the telescope appear stationary when using a motor drive.

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For each hemisphere, there is a point in the sky around which all the other

stars appear to rotate. These points are called the celestial poles and are

named for the hemisphere in which they reside. For example, in the northern

hemisphere all stars move around the north celestial pole. When the

telescope’s polar axis is pointed at the celestial pole, it is parallel to the

Earth’s rotational axis.

Finding the Pole

Many of the methods of polar alignment require that you know how to find the

celestial pole by identifying stars in the area. For those in the northern

hemisphere, finding the celestial pole is relatively easy. Fortunately, we have a

naked eye star less than a degree away. This star, Polaris, is the end star in

the handle of the Little Dipper (see figure 5-5). Since the Little Dipper (techni-

cally called Ursa Minor) is not one of the brightest constellations in the sky, it

may be difficult to locate, especially from urban areas. If this is the case, use

the two end stars in the bowl of the Big Dipper. Draw an imaginary line through

them (about five times the distance between these two stars) toward the Little

Dipper. They will point to Polaris. The position of the Big Dipper will change

during the year and throughout the course of the night (see figure 5-4). When

theBigDipperisdifficulttolocate,tryusingCassiopeia.

Figure 5-4

The position of the Big

Dipper changes through-

out the year and through-

out the night.

Observers in the southern hemisphere are not as fortunate as those in the

northern hemisphere. The stars around the south celestial pole are not nearly

as bright as those around the north. The closest star that is relatively bright is

Sigma Octantis. This star is just within naked eye limit (magnitude 5.5) and

lies 59 arc minutes from the pole. For more information about stars around the

south celestial pole, please consult a star atlas.

While it may seem that pointing at the pole star produces a parallax effect,

especially for observers near the equator, this effect is negligible since Polaris

is so far away.

Definition:

The north celestial pole is the point in the northern sky around which all stars

appear to rotate. The counterpart in the southern hemisphere is referred to as

the south celestial pole.

Figure 5-5

The two stars in the front of the bowl of the Big Dipper point to Polaris which is less

than one degree from the true (north) celestial pole. Cassiopeia, the “W” shaped

constellation is on the opposite side of the pole from the Big Dipper. The North

Celestial Pole (N.C.P.) is marked by the “+” sign.

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Latitude Scales

The easiest way to polar align a telescope is with a latitude scale. Unlike

other methods that require you to find the celestial pole by identifying certain

starsnearit,thismethodworksoffofaknownconstant(yourlatitude)todetermine

howhighthepolaraxisshouldbepointed. Thelatituderangevariesdepending

upon the telescope you own. The range for the CG-5 is 40°.

The constant, mentioned above, is a relationship between your latitude and the

angular distance the celestial pole is above the northern (or southern) horizon.

The angular distance from the northern horizon to the north celestial pole is

always equal to your latitude. To illustrate this, imagine that you are standing

on the north pole, latitude +90°. The north celestial pole, which has a declina-

tion of +90°, would be directly overhead (i.e., 90 above the horizon). Now let’s

say that you move one degree south. Your latitude is now +89° and the

celestial pole is no longer directly overhead. It has moved one degree closer

toward the northern horizon. This means the pole is now 89° above the

northern horizon. If you move one degree further south, the same thing

happens again. As you can see from this example, the distance from the

northern horizon to the celestial pole is always equal to your latitude.

If you are observing from Los Angeles, which has a latitude of 34°, then the

celestial pole would be 34° above the northern horizon. All a latitude scale

does then is to point the polar axis of the telescope at the right elevation above

the northern (or southern) horizon. To align your telescope:

1. Point your telescope due north. Use a landmark that you know faces

north.

2. Level the tripod by raising or lowering the legs as needed. There is a

bubble level built into the tripod of the CG-5 mount for this purpose.

3. Adjustthetelescopemountinaltitudeuntilthelatitudeindicator(seefigure5-6)

pointstoyourlatitude.

This method can be done in daylight, thus eliminating the need to fumble

around in the dark. Although this method does NOT put you directly on the

pole, it will limit the number of corrections needed when tracking an object. It

will also be accurate enough for short exposure prime focus planetary photog-

raphy (a couple of seconds) and short exposure piggyback astrophotography.

Latitude Scale

Figure 5-6

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PointingatPolaris

ThismethodutilizesPolarisasaguideposttothecelestialpole. SincePolarisisless

thanadegreefromthecelestialpole,manyamateurssimplypointthepolaraxisof

theirtelescopeatPolaris. Althoughthisisbynomeansaperfectalignment,itis

close. Toalignusingthismethod:

Alignthefinderscopewiththemainopticaltubeasdescribedinthe"Aligningthe

Finder"sectionearlierinthemanual.

Set the telescope up so that the polar axis is pointing north and the

counterweight shaft is rotated towards the ground.

Release the DEC clamp and move the telescope so that the optical tube is

directlyoverthepolaraxis.

Move the mount in altitude and/or azimuth until Polaris is in the field of

view of the finder. Rough azimuth adjustments can be made by moving the

tripod .

Center Polaris using the fine altitude and azimuth controls (see figure 5-7).

Remember,donotmovethetelescopeinR.A.orDEC. Youwanttoadjustthe

direction the mount is pointing and you are using the telescope to see where the

mountispointing.

Once Polaris is in the finder it should also be centered in the telescope. If

not, use the fine adjustment controls to center Polaris in the telescope

field.

RotatetheDeclinationcircle,justabovethecounterweightshaft,toread90°. Do

notmovetheDeclinationcirclebyhandafteritisset.

Figure 5-7

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DeclinationDrift

This method of polar alignment allows you to get the most accurate alignment

on the celestial pole and is required if you want to do long exposure deep-sky

astrophotography through the telescope. The declination drift method requires

that you monitor the drift of selected guide stars. The drift of each guide star

tells you how far away the polar axis is pointing from the true celestial pole and

in what direction. Although declination drift is quite simple and straightforward,

it requires a great deal of time and patience to complete when first attempted.

The declination drift method should be done after any one of the previously

mentioned methods has been completed.

To perform the declination drift method you need to choose two bright stars.

One should be near the eastern horizon and one due south near the meridian.

Both stars should be near the celestial equator (i.e., 0° declination). You will

monitor the drift of each star one at a time and in declination only. While

monitoring a star on the meridian, any misalignment in the east-west direction

will be revealed. While monitoring a star near the east/west horizon, any

misalignment in the north-south direction will be revealed. As for hardware,

you will need an illuminated reticle ocular to help you recognize any drift. For

very close alignment, a Barlow lens is also recommended since it increases

the magnification and reveals any drift faster.

When looking due south with the scope on the side of the mount, insert the

diagonal so it points straight up. Insert a cross hair ocular and align the cross

hairs to be parallel to declination and right ascension motion.

First choose your star near where the celestial equator and the meridian meet.

The star should be approximately ±1/2 hour of the meridian and ±5 degrees of

the celestial equator. Center the star in the field of your telescope and monitor

the drift in declination.

•

If the star drifts south, the polar axis is too far east.

If the star drifts north, the polar axis is too far west.

Make the appropriate adjustments to the polar axis to eliminate any drift.

Once you have managed to eliminate all drift, move to the star near the eastern

horizon. The star should be 20 degrees above the horizon and ± 5 degrees off

of the celestial equator.

•

If the star drifts south, the polar axis is too low.

If the star drifts north, the polar axis is too high.

Once again, make the appropriate adjustments to the polar axis to eliminate

anydrift. Unfortunately,thelatteradjustmentsinteractwiththeprioradjustments

eversoslightly. So, repeattheprocessagaintoimprovetheaccuracycheckingboth

axesforminimaldrift. Oncethedrifthasbeeneliminated,thetelescopeisvery

accuratelyaligned. Youwillnowbeabletodoprimefocusdeep-skyastrophotogra-

phyforlongperiods.

NOTE:

If the eastern horizon is blocked, you may choose a star near the western

horizon. However, you will have to reverse the polar high/low error directions. If

usingthismethodinthesouthernhemisphere,theprocedureisthesameasdescribed

above. However,thedirectionofdriftisreversed.

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Polar Alignment Finders

Therearetwofindersspecificallydesignedforpolaralignmentthatcanbeusedwith

the CR-150 HD telescopes. These finders can be purchased as optional accessories

for the CR-150 HD. The first finder, known as the 7x50 Polaris finder (#93785-

8P), is used as a regular finder.

The second finder is the polar axis finderscope (#94221). Its sole purpose is

polar alignment and can NOT be used to find objects in the telescope. Both

these finders work on the same principle, but their methods of operation are

slightly different. These methods are generally easier than those already

described and they are fairly accurate. For more information on both these

finderscopes, refer to the Optional Accessories section of this manual or ask

for the Celestron accessory catalog (#93685).

Aligning the R.A.

Setting Circle

Before you can use the setting circles to find objects in the sky you need to

align the R.A. setting circle. The declination setting circle is aligned during the

polar alignment process. In order to align the R.A. setting circle you will need

to know the names of a few of the brightest stars in the sky . If you don’t, they

can be learned by using the Celestron Sky Maps (#93722) or consulting a

current astronomy magazine. To align the R.A. setting circle:

1. Locate a bright star near the celestial equator. The farther you are from

the celestial pole the better your reading on the R.A. setting circle will be.

The star you choose to align the setting circle with should be a bright one

whose coordinates are known and easy to look up. (For a list of bright

stars to align the R.A. setting circle, see the list at the back of this

manual.)

2. Center the star in the finder.

3. Look through the main telescope and see if the star is in the field. If not,

find it and center it.

4. Start the optional motor drive so that it will track the star. If you are not

using a motor drive the star will start to drift out of the field and you will

need to center it again before setting the R.A. circle.

5. Look up the coordinates of the star.

6. Rotate the circle until the proper coordinates line up with the R.A. indicator

(the zero mark on the vernier scale). The R.A. setting circle should rotate

freely.

As mentioned above, the declination setting circle is aligned during the pro-

cess of polar alignment. There is no need to align it in the same manner as

the R.A. setting circle.

Once you have finished this process you are ready to use the setting circles to

locate objects in the night sky. See the section on “Using the Setting Circles”

for specific information.

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C E L E S T I A L

O B S E R V I N G

With your telescope set up, you are ready to use it for celestial observing.

This section covers visual observing of both solar system and deep-sky

objects.

Observing the Moon

Inthenightsky, theMoonisaprimetargetforyourfirstlookbecauseit

isextremelybrightandeasytofind. Often,itisatemptationtolookatthe

Moonwhenitisfull. Atthistime,thefaceweseeisfullyilluminatedand

itslightcanbeoverpowering. Inaddition,littleornocontrastcanbe

seen during this phase.

One of the best times to observe the Moon is during its partial phases

(aroundthetimeoffirstorthirdquarter). Longshadowsrevealagreat

amountofdetailonthelunarsurface. Atlowpoweryouwillbeableto

seemostofthelunardiskatonetime. Changetohigherpower(magnifi-

cation)tofocusinonasmallerarea. Keepinmindthatifyouarenot

usinganoptionalmotordrive,therotationoftheEarthwillcausethe

Moontodriftoutofyourfieldofview. Youwillhavetomanuallyadjust

thetelescopetokeeptheMooncentered. Thiseffectismorenoticeableathigher

power.

If you are using a motor drive and have polar aligned, the Moon will remain

centered. Consult your local newspaper or a current astronomy magazine to

find out when the Moon will be visible. Try using filters to increase contrast

and bring out more detail on the lunar surface.

Observing the

Planets

Other easy targets in the night sky include the five naked eye planets. You

can see Venus go through its lunar-like phases. Mars can reveal a host of

surface detail and one, if not both, of its polar caps. You will be able to see

the cloud belts of Jupiter and the great Red Spot (if it is visible at the time you

are observing). In addition, you will also be able to see the moons of Jupiter as

they orbit this gas giant. Saturn with its beautiful ring system and Cassini's

division are easily visible at moderate power. All you need to know is where to

look. Most astronomy publications tell where the planets can be found in the

sky each month.

•

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Using the Lens Cap Aperture Stop

Asmentionedintheintroduction,allrefractiveopticswillexhibitsomeamountof

chromatic aberration due to the prism effect of lenses. Chromatic aberration will

become more pronounced the farther the incoming light rays are off-axis (i.e.

passing through the edge of the objective lens) and virtually unnoticeable on-axis

(passing through the center of the objective lens). This type of aberration is only

evident when observing very bright sources of light, such as bright planets and very

luminous stars (like Sirius). There are several techniques that the observer can

employ to suppress visible signs of chromatic aberration, these include; reducing

the aperture and using filters.

The objective lens cap covering the objective lens of the telescope has a built-in

112mmaperturestopinthecenter. Byleavingthelenscaponthetelescopewiththe

aperturestopremoved,youwillallowalltheincominglighttopassclosertothe

centeroftheopticalaxis. Since, mostplanetsareextremelybrightobjects(visibleto

theunaidedeye) anylossoflightfromreducingtheaperturewillbeunnoticeable.

Thelenscapshouldalwaysbecompletelyremoved whenobservingdeep-sky

objectssuchasgalaxiesandnebulae,whereaperture(lightgatheringpower)is

essentialandchromaticaberrationisnotanissue.

NOTE:

Anotherusefultechniqueforreducingaberrationsandimprovingplanetarydetailis

theuseofcoloredeyepiecefilters. Filtersarecommonlyusedtobringoutparticular

planetarydetail, suchasthepolarcapsonMarsorthebandsandzonesaround

Jupiter. The use of colored filters (especially red and green filters) reduces the

effect of chromatic aberration as well as improves contrast and resolution.

Althoughoverlookedbymanyamateurastronomers,solarobservationisboth

rewardingandfun. However,becausetheSunissobright,specialprecautionsmust

be taken when observing our star so as not to damage your eyes or your telescope.

Observing the Sun

WARNING:

Never project an image of the Sun through the telescope. Because of

the folded optical design, tremendous heat build-up will result inside

the optical tube. This can damage the telescope and/or any accesso-

ries attached to the telescope.

For safe solar viewing, use a Celestron solar filter. This filter reduces the intensity

of the Sun’s light, making it safe to view. With this filter you can see sunspots as

they move across the solar disk and faculae, which are bright patches seen near the

Sun’s edge. Be sure to cover the objective lens of the finder or com-

pletely remove the finder when observing the Sun. This will ensure

that the finder itself is not damaged and that no one looks through it

inadvertently.

SOLAROBSERVINGHINTS

•

The best time to observe the Sun is in the early morning or late afternoon

when the air is cooler.

To locate the Sun without a finder, watch the shadow of the telescope tube

until it forms a circular shadow.

Celestial Observing

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Observing Deep-Sky

Objects

Deep-sky objects are simply those objects outside the boundaries of our solar

system. Theyincludestarclusters,planetarynebulae,diffusenebulae,doublestars,

andothergalaxiesoutsideourownMilkyWay. TheCelestronSkyMaps(#93722)

can help you locate the brightest deep-sky objects.

Mostdeep-skyobjectshavealargeangularsize. Therefore,low-to-moderatepower

isallyouneedtoseethem. Visually, theyaretoofainttorevealanycolorseenin

longexposurephotographs. Instead,theyhaveablackandwhiteappearance. And,

because of their low surface brightness, they should be observed from a dark sky

location. Lightpollutionaroundlargeurbanareaswashesoutmostnebulaemaking

themdifficult,ifnotimpossible,toobserve. LightPollutionReductionfiltershelp

reducethebackgroundskybrightness,thusincreasingcontrast.

Using the Setting Circles

Once the setting circles are aligned you can use them to find any object with

known coordinates.

1. Select an object to observe. Use a seasonal star chart or planisphere to

make sure the object you chose is above the horizon. As you become

more familiar with the night sky, this will no longer be necessary.

2. Look up the coordinates in an atlas or reference book.

3. Move the telescope in declination until the indicator is pointing at the

correct declination coordinate.

4. Move the telescope in R.A. until the indicator points to the correct coordi-

nate (do NOT move the R.A. circle). The telescope will track in R.A. as

long as a motor drive is operating and the R.A. clamp is in the locked

position.

5. Look through the finder to see if you have located the object.

6. Center the object in the finder.

7. Look in the main optics using a low power eyepiece; the object should be

there. The telescope will track in R.A. as long as the motor drive is

operating.

8. Repeat the process for each object observed throughout the observing

session.

You may not be able to see fainter objects in the finder. When this happens,

gradually sweep the telescope around until the object is visible.

The declination setting circle is scaled in degrees while the R.A. setting circle

is incremented in minutes with a marker every fifth minute. As a result, the

setting circles will get you close to your target, but not directly on it. Also, the

accuracy of your polar alignment will also affect how accurately your setting

circles read.

At the end of this manual there is a list of deep-sky objects well within reach of

your Celestron telescope.

•

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StarHopping

You can use your setting circles to find these objects (as described earlier in this

manual) or try star hopping. Star hopping is done by using bright stars to guide you

toanobject. Herearedirectionsfortwopopularobjects.

The Andromeda Galaxy, M31, is an easy first target. To find M31:

1. Locate the constellation of Pegasus, a large square visible in the fall and

winter months.

2. Startatthestarinthenortheastcorner. ThestarisAlpha(α)Andromeda.

3. Move northeast approximately 7°. There you will find two stars of equal

brightness—Delta(δ)andPi(π)Andromeda—about3°apart.

4. Continue in the same direction another 8°. There you will find two stars —

Beta(β)andMu(µ)Andromeda—about3°apart.

5. Move 3° northwest — the same distance between the two stars— to the

Andromeda galaxy. It is easily visible in the finder.

Figure 6-2

Star hopping to the Andromeda Galaxy is a snap to find since all the stars needed to do

so are visible to the naked eye. Note that the scale for this star chart is different from

the one on the following page which shows the constellation Lyra.

Celestial Observing

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Star hopping may take some getting used to since you can see more stars through

the finder than you can see with the naked eye. And, some objects are not visible

in the finder. One such object is M57, the famed Ring Nebula. Here’s how to find

it:

1. FindtheconstellationofLyra,asmallparallelogramvisibleinthesummerandfall

months. LyraiseasytopickoutbecauseitcontainsthebrightstarVega.

2. StartatthestarVega—Alpha(α)Lyrae—andmoveafewdegreessoutheastto

findtheparallelogram. Thefourstarsthatmakeupthisgeometricshapeareall

similarinbrightness,makingthemeasytosee.

3. Locate the two southern most stars that make up the parallelogram —

Beta (β) and Gamma (γ) Lyrae (see figure 6-3).

4. Point the finder half way between these two stars.

5. Move about 1/2° toward Beta (β) Lyrae, but remaining on a line that

connects the two stars.

6. Look through the telescope and the Ring Nebula should be in the tele-

scope. Its angular size is quite small and, therefore, not visible in the

finder.

These two examples should give you an idea of how to star hop to deep-sky

objects. To use this method on other objects, consult any of the star atlases listed at

the end of this book.

Figure 6-3

Although the Ring Nebula lies

between two naked eye stars,

it may take a little time to

locate since it is not visible in

the finder. Note that the scale

for this star chart is different

from the one on the previous

page which shows several

constellations including

Pegasus, Triangulum, and

Andromeda.

•

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Viewing conditions affect what you can see through your CR-150 HD telescope

during an observing session. Conditions include transparency, sky illumination,

and seeing. Understanding viewing conditions and the affect they have on observ-

ing will help you get the most out of your telescope.

Viewing Conditions

Transparency

Transparency is the clarity of the atmosphere and is affected by clouds,

moisture,andotherairborneparticles. Thickcumuluscloudsarecompletelyopaque

while cirrus clouds can be thin, allowing the light from the brightest stars through.

Hazy skies absorb more light than clear skies making fainter objects harder to see

and reducing contrast on brighter objects. Aerosols ejected into the upper atmo-

sphere from volcanic eruptions also affect transparency. Ideal conditions are when

the night sky is inky black.

Sky Illumination

General sky brightening caused by the Moon, aurorae, natural airglow, and

light pollution greatly affect transparency. While not a problem for the Moon,

planets, and brighter stars, bright skies reduce the contrast of extended

nebulae making them difficult, if not impossible, to see. To maximize your

observing, limit deep-sky viewing to moonless nights far from the light polluted

skies found around major urban areas. LPR filters enhance deep-sky viewing

from light polluted areas by blocking unwanted light while transmitting light

from certain deep-sky objects. You can, on the other hand, observe planets

and stars from light polluted areas or when the Moon is out.

Seeing

Seeing conditions refer to the stability of the atmosphere and directly effects

the clarity of star images and the amount of fine detail seen in extended

objects like the planets. The air in our atmosphere acts as a lens which bends

and distorts incoming light rays. The amount of bending depends on air

density. Varying temperature layers have different densities and therefore bend

light differently. Light rays from the same object arrive slightly displaced

creating an imperfect or smeared image. These atmospheric disturbances vary

from time-to-time and place-to-place. The size of the air parcels compared to

your aperture determines the “seeing” quality. Under good seeing conditions,

fine detail is visible on the brighter planets like Jupiter and Mars, and stars are

pinpoint images. Under poor seeing conditions, images are blurred and stars

appear as blobs. Seeing conditions are rated on a five-point scale where one

is the worst and five is the best (see figure 6-4). Seeing conditions can be

classified in one of three categories which are based on the cause.

Type 1 seeing conditions are characterized by rapid changes in the image

seen through the telescope. Extended objects, like the Moon, appear to

shimmer while point sources (i.e., stars) appear double. Type 1 seeing is

caused by currents within or very close to the telescope tube. These currents

could be caused by a telescope that has not reached thermal equilibrium with

the outdoor surroundings, heat waves from people standing near the telescope,

orheateddewcaps. ToavoidtheproblemsassociatedwithType1seeing,allow

your telescope approximately 20 to 30 minutes to reach thermal equilibrium.

Celestial Observing

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Once adjusted to the outdoor temperature, don’t touch the telescope tube with your

hands. When pointing the telescope, hold the telescope by the star diagonal. If

observing with others, make sure no one stands in front of or directly below the

telescope tube.

TheimagesproducedbyType2seeingconditionsdon’tmoveasquicklyasthose

producedbyType1conditions,buttheimagesarequiteblurry. Finedetailislost

andthecontrastislowforextendedobjects. Starsarespreadoutandnotsharp. The

sourceofType2seeingistheloweratmosphere,mostlikelyheatwavesfromthe

groundorbuildings. ToavoidtheproblemsassociatedwithType2seeing, selecta

goodobservingsite. Specifically,avoidsitesthatoverlookasphaltparkinglotsor

ploughedfields. Stayawayfromvalleysandshorelines. Instead,lookforbroad

hilltopsoropengrassyfields. Stablethermalconditionsfoundnearlakesand

atmospheric inversions also tend to produce good seeing. If you can’t get a better

location,waituntiltheearlymorninghourswhenthesurroundingsareuniformlycool

andtheseeingisgenerallybetter.

Type 3 seeing conditions are characterized by fast ripples, but sharp images.

In extended objects fine detail is visible, but the images shift around the field.

Stars are crisp points, but they shift small distances rapidly around the field.

The cause of Type 3 seeing is turbulence in the upper atmosphere which

means the observer has less control over it. However, the effects of Type 3

seeing are generally less pronounced than the other two types. You can never

really avoid Type 3 seeing. Your best bet is to wait until moments of steadi-

ness. If the seeing is extremely bad, pack up and wait for a better night.

The conditions described here apply to both visual and photographic observa-

tions.

Figure 6-4

Seeing conditions directly affect image quality. These drawings represent a point

source (i.e., star) under bad seeing conditions (left) to excellent conditions (right).

Most often, seeing conditions produce images that lie somewhere between these two

extremes.

•

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C E L E S T I A L

P H O T O G R A P H Y

After looking at the night sky for awhile you may want to try photographing it.

Several forms of celestial photography are possible with your Celestron CR-150

HD telescope. The most common forms of celestial photography, in order of

difficulty are: short exposure prime focus, piggyback, and projection photography.

Each of these is discussed in moderate detail with enough information to get you

started. Topics include the accessories required and some simple techniques.

More information is available in some of the publications listed at the end of this

manual.

In addition to the specific accessories required for each type of celestial

photography, there is the need for a camera — but not just any camera. The

camera does not have to have many of the features offered on today’s state-of-

the-art equipment. For example, you don’t need auto focus capability or mirror

lock up. Here are the mandatory features a camera needs for celestial photog-

raphy. First, a ‘B’ setting which allows for time exposures. This excludes

point and shoot cameras and limits the selection to 35mm SLR cameras.

Second, the ‘B’ or manual setting should not run off the battery. Many new

electronic cameras use the battery to keep the shutter open during time

exposures. Once the batteries are drained, usually after a few minutes, the

shutter closes, whether you have finished with the exposure or not. Look for a

camera that has a manual shutter when operating in the time exposure mode.

Olympus, Nikon, Minolta, Pentax, Canon and others have made such camera

bodies.

The camera should have interchangeable lenses so you can attach it to the

telescope and use a variety of lenses for piggyback photography. If you can’t

findanewcamera,youcanpurchaseausedcamerabodythatisnot100percent

functional. Thelightmeterdoesnothavetobeoperationalsinceyouwillbedeter-

miningtheexposurelengthmanually.

Use a cable release with a locking function to hold the shutter open while you

do other things. Mechanical and air releases are available at most camera

stores.

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Short Exposure Prime

Focus

Short exposure prime focus photography is the best way to begin recording

celestial objects. It is done with the camera attached to the telescope without an

eyepiece or camera lens in place. To attach your camera, you need the T-adapter

and a T-Ring for your specific camera (i.e., Minolta, Nikon, Pentax, etc.). The

CR-150 HD focuser has a built-in T-adapter and is ready to accept a 35mm camera

body. The T-Ring replaces the 35mm SLR camera’s normal lens. Prime focus

photography allows you to capture the entire solar disk (if using the proper filter)

as well as the entire lunar disk. To attach your camera to your telescope:

Remove the eyepiece from the 1 ¹/₄" eyepiece holder.

Unthreadthe1¹/₄"accessoryadapterfromthefocuserassembly.Thiswill

exposethemalethreadofthebuilt-inT-adapter.

Thread the T-ring onto the exposed T-adapter threads.

Mount your camera body onto the T-Ring the same as you would any other

lens.

With your camera attached to the telescope, you are ready for prime focus

photography. Start with an easy object like the Moon. Here’s how to do it:

1. Load your camera with film that has a moderate-to-fast speed (i.e., ISO

rating). Faster films are more desirable when the Moon is a crescent.

When the Moon is near full, and at its brightest, slower films are more

desirable. Here are some film recommendations:

• T-Max 100

• T-Max 400

• Any 100 to 400 ISO color slide film

• Fuji Super HG 400

2. Center the Moon in the field of your telescope.

3. Focus the telescope by turning the focus knob until the image is sharp.

4. Set the shutter speed to the appropriate setting (see table 6-1).

5. Trip the shutter using a cable release.

6. Advance the film and repeat the process.

Lunar Phase ISO 50

ISO 100 ISO 200 ISO 400

Crescent

Quarter

Full

1/2

1/15

1/30

1/4

1/8

1/60

1/125

1/15

1/125

1/250

1/30

1/60

Table 7-1

Above is a listing of recommended exposure times when photographing the Moon at the

prime focus of your Celestron telescope.

•

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The exposure times listed here should be used as a starting point. Always make

exposures that are longer and shorter than the recommended time. Also, try

bracketing your exposures, taking a few photos at each shutter speed. This will

ensure that you will get a good photo. If using black and white film, try a yellow

filter to reduce the light intensity and to increase contrast.

Keep accurate records of your exposures. This information is useful if you

want to repeat your results or if you want to submit some of your photos to

variousastronomymagazinesforpossiblepublication!

ThistechniqueisalsousedforphotographingtheSunwiththepropersolarfilter.

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Piggyback

The easiest way to enter the realm of deep-sky, long exposure astrophotography is

viathepiggybackmethod. Piggybackphotographyisdonewithacameraandits

normallensridingontopofthetelescope. Throughpiggybackphotographyyoucan

captureentireconstellationsandrecordlargescalenebulaethataretoobigforprime

focusphotography. Becauseyouarephotographingwithalowpowerlensand

guidingwithahighpowertelescope,themarginforerrorisverylarge. Smallmistakes

madewhileguidingthetelescopewillnotshowuponfilm. Toattachthecamerato

thetopofthetelescope, threadthebottomofthecamerabodyontothe 1/4"-20

photographicadapterboltlocatedonthetopofthetelescopetubeclampingring. In

ordertoguidetheexposure,youwillalsoneedanoptionalmotordrive(#93518or

#93523).

As with any form of deep-sky photography, it should be done from a dark sky

observing site. Light pollution around major urban areas washes out the faint

light of deep-sky objects. You can still practice from less ideal skies.

1. Polar align the telescope (using one of the methods described earlier) and

start the motor drive.

2. Load your camera with slide film, ISO 100 or faster, or print film, ISO 400

or faster!

3. Set the f/ratio of your camera lens so that it is a half stop to one full stop

down from completely open.

4. Set the shutter speed to the “B” setting and focus the lens to the infinity

setting.

5. Locate the area of the sky that you want to photograph and move the

telescope so that it points in that direction.

6. Find a suitable guide star in the telescope eyepiece field of view. This is

relatively easy since you can search a wide area without affecting the area

covered by your camera lens. If you do not have an illuminated cross hair

eyepiece for guiding, simply defocus your guide star until it fills most of the

field of view. This makes it easy to detect any drift.

7. Release the shutter using a cable release.

8. Monitoryourguidestarforthedurationoftheexposuremakingthenecessary

correctionsneededtokeepthestarcentered.

9. Close the camera’s shutter.

As for lenses, use good ones that produce sharp images near the edge of the field.

Thelensesshouldhavearesolvingpowerofatleast40linespermillimeter. Agood

focallengthrangeis50to500mmforlensesdesignedfor35mmcameras.

•

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Theexposuretimedependsonthefilmbeingused. However,fiveminutesisusually

agoodstartingpoint. Withslowerfilms,like100ISO,youcanexposeaslongas45

minutes. Withfasterfilms,like1600ISO,youreallyshouldn’texposemorethan5to

10minutes. Whengettingstarted,usefastfilmstorecordasmuchdetailinthe

shortestpossibletime. Hereareprovenrecommendations:

• Ektar 1000 (color print)

• Konica 3200 (color print)

• Fujichrome 1600D (color slide)

• 3M 1000 (color slide)

• T-Max 3200 (black and white print)

• T-Max 400 (black and white print)

As you perfect your technique, try specialized films, that is films that are

designed or specially treated for celestial photography. Here are some popular

choices:

• Ektar 125 (color print)

• Fujichrome 100D (color slide)

• Tech Pan, gas hypered (black and white print)

As with all forms of photography, keep accurate records of your work. This

information can be used later if you want to reproduce certain results or if you

want to submit photos for possible publication.

Once you have mastered piggyback photography with wide angle and normal

lenses, try longer focal length lenses. The longer the focal length, the more

accurate your guiding must be. You can continue to increase the focal length

of the lens until you are ready for prime focus photography with your telescope.

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Projection Photography

This form of celestial photography is designed for objects with small angular sizes,

primarilytheplanetsandindividuallunarfeatures. Planets,althoughphysicallyquite

large,appearsmallinangularsizebecauseoftheirgreatdistances. Moderatetohigh

magnificationis,therefore,requiredtomaketheimagelargeenoughtoseeanydetail.

Unfortunately,thecamera/telescopecombinationalonedoesnotprovideenough

magnificationtoproduceausableimagesizeonfilm. Inordertogettheimagelarge

enough,youmustattachyourcameratothetelescopewithaprojectionlensinplace.

Thiscanbeaccomplishedwiththeuseofthe2xbarlowlens/T-adapter. Slidethe1

1/4"barrelofthebarlowlensdirectlyintothefocuserandsecurewiththechromeset

screw. ThenattachtheT-ringforyourparticularcameramake(i.e.,Minolta,Nikon,

Pentax,etc.)andcamerabodytotheT-adapter.

Becauseofthehighermagnificationsduring projectionphotography,thefieldof

viewissmallerwhichmakesitmoredifficulttofindandcenterobjects. Tomakethe

job a little easier, align the finder as accurately as possible. This allows you to get the

objectinthefieldbasedonthefinder’sviewalone.

Anotherproblemintroducedbythehighermagnificationisvibration. Simplytripping

theshutter—evenwithacablerelease—producesenoughvibrationtosmearthe

image. Togetaroundthis,usethecamera’sself-timeriftheexposuretimeislessthan

onesecond—acommonoccurrencewhenphotographingtheMoon. Forexposures

overonesecond,usethe“hattrick.” Thistechniqueincorporatesahand-heldblack

card placed over the aperture of the telescope to act as a shutter. The card prevents

lightfromenteringthetelescopewhiletheshutterisreleased. Oncetheshutterhas

beenreleasedandthevibrationhasdiminished(afewseconds),movetheblackcard

outofthewaytoexposethefilm. Aftertheexposureiscomplete,placethecardover

thefrontofthetelescopeandclosetheshutter. Advancethefilmandyou’reready

foryournextshot. Keepinmindthatthecardshouldbeheldafewinchesinfrontof

the telescope, and not touching it. It is easier if you use two people for this process;

onetoreleasethecamerashutterandonetoholdthecard. Here’stheprocessfor

makingtheexposure.

1. Find and center the desired target in the view finder of your camera.

2. Turn the focus knob until the image is as sharp as possible.

3. Place the black card over the front of the telescope.

4. Release the shutter using a cable release.

5. Wait for the vibration caused by releasing the shutter to diminish. Also,

wait for a moment of good seeing.

6. Remove the black card from in front of the telescope for the duration of the

exposure.

7. Replace the black card over the front of the telescope.

8. Close the camera’s shutter.

Advance the film and you are ready for your next exposure. Don’t forget to

take photos of varying duration and keep accurate records of what you have

done. Recordthedate,telescope,exposureduration,eyepiece,f/ratio,film,andsome

commentsontheseeingconditions.

•

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T E L E S C O P E M A I N T E N A N C E

Refractors are generally very low maintenance telescopes. Cleaning is really

all that is needed, and even that is minimal if the telescope is stored properly.

Occasionally, dust and/or moisture may build up on the objective lens of

your telescope. Special care should be taken when cleaning any instrument

so as not to damage the optics. If dust has built up on the objective lens,

remove dust with a camel’s hair brush or a can of pressurized air. Spray at

an angle to the lens for approximately 2 to 4 seconds. Then, use optical

cleaning solution and white tissue paper to remove any remaining debris.

Strokes should go from the center of the objective lens to the outer portion.

Do NOT rub in circles! With refractive lenses, never apply the cleaning

solution directly to the lens. Because the elements are air-spaced, excess

solution may seep between the lenses. Apply the solution to the tissue, then

the tissue to the lens.

Care and Cleaning of

the Optics

You can use commercially made lens cleaner or mix your own. A good

cleaning solution is isopropyl alcohol mixed with distilled water. The

solution should be 60% isopropyl alcohol and 40% distilled water. Or, liquid

dish soap diluted with water (a couple of drops per one quart of water) can

be used.

Occasionally, you may experience dew build-up on the objective lens of your

telescope during an observing session. This may be removed with a hair

dryer or by pointing the telescope at the ground. Since your Celestron

refractor has a built-in dew cap, the dewing process is slightly reduced. If

moisture condenses on the inside of the lens, remove the accessories from the

telescope. Place the telescope in a dust-free environment and point it down.

This will remove the moisture from the telescope tube.

To minimize the need to clean your telescope, replace all lens covers once

you have finished using it. Since the back of the telescope where the accesso-

ries attach is NOT sealed, the plastic cap should be placed over the opening

when not in use. This will prevent contaminates from entering the optical

tube.

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O P T I O N A L

A C C E S S O R I E S

The following is a partial list of optional accessories available for your Celestron

CR-150HD.

CD-ROM(93700)-CelestronandSoftwareBisquehavejoined

together to present this comprehensive CD-ROM called The Sky™

Level 1 - for Celestron. It features a 10,000 object database, 75 color

images, horizontal projection, custom sky chart printing, zoom

capability and more! A fun, useful and educational product. PC

format.

Dual Axis Drive System - #93523

This drive motor, with drive corrector capabilities, is designed for

Celestron’s CG-5 Equatorial telescope mount. It precisely controls

the telescope’s tracking speed during timed exposures astrophotog-

raphy of celestial objects, producing the best possible image sharp-

ness. This precision, state-of-the-art DC motor drive operates on a 9

volt battery. The hand controller module is very compact and fits easily in the

palm of your hand. Motors for both axes are included, along with brackets,

clutchesandhardware.

Erect Image Diagonal (#94112-A) - This accessory is an Amici prism

arrangement that allows you to look into the telescope at a 45° angle with

images that are oriented properly (upright and correct from left-to-right). It is

usefulfordaytime,terrestrialviewing.

Eyepieces - Like telescopes, eyepieces come in a variety of designs. Each

design has its own advantages and disadvantages. For the 1-1/4" barrel

diametertherearefourdifferenteyepiecedesignsavailable.

• Super Modified Achromatic (SMA) Eyepieces:

The SMA design is an improved version of the Kellner eyepiece.

SMAs are very good, economical, general purpose eyepieces that

deliver a wide apparent field, good color correction and an excellent

image at the center of the field of view. Celestron offers SMA

eyepieces in the following focal lengths: 6mm, 10mm, 12mm,17mm

and25mm.

• Plössl - Plössl eyepieces have a 4-element lens designed for low-

to-high power observing. The Plössls offer razor sharp views across

the entire field, even at the edges! In the 1-1/4" barrel diameter, they

are available in the following focal lengths: 6.3mm, 7.5mm, 10mm,

12.5mm, 17mm, 20mm, 26mm, 32mm and 40mm.

• Ultima - Ultima is not really a design, but a trade name for our 5-element,

wide field eyepieces. They are available in the following focal lengths:

5mm, 7.5mm, 12.5mm, 18mm, 30mm, 35mm, and 42mm. These

eyepieces are all parfocal. The 35mm Ultima gives the widest possible

field of view with a 1-1/4" diagonal.

•

Optional Accessories

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• Lanthanum Eyepieces (LV Series) - Lanthanum is a unique rare earth

glass used in one of the field lenses of this new eyepiece. The Lantha-

num glass reduces aberrations to a minimum. All are fully multicoated

and have an astounding 20mm of eye relief — perfect for eyeglass

wearers! They are available in the following focal lengths: 2.5mm, 4mm,

5mm, 6mm, 9mm, 10mm, 12mm and 15mm. Celestron also offers the LV

Zoom eyepiece (#3777) with a focal length of 8mm to 24mm. It offers an

apparent field of 40^oat 24mm and 60^oat

8mm. Eye relief ranges from 15mm to 19mm.

Eyepiece Filters - To enhance your visual

observations of solar system objects,

Celestron offers a wide range of colored filters

that thread into the 1-1/4" oculars. Available

individually are: #12 deep yellow, #21 orange,

#25 red, #58 green, #80A light blue, #96

neutral density - 25%T, #96 neutral density -

13%T, and polarizing. These and other filters

are also sold in sets.

Finderscopes - Finderscopes are used to help you locate objects in the main

telescope. The larger the finder, the more you will see, making it easier to

locate objects. One option for finders is the illuminated Polaris 7x50 Finder

(#93785-8P). Another tool for finding objects in the sky is the Star Pointer

(#51630). The Star Pointer is different from a finderscope in that you can use

both eyes when pointing the telescope at an object. A partially reflective

surface projects the image of an LED illuminated pinpoint into the line of sight.

Just align the illuminated pinpoint with the object you are interested in and the

object will be in the main telescope.

Night Vision Flashlight - (#93588) - Celestron’s premium model for as-

tronomy, using two red LEDs to preserve night vision better than red filters or

other devices. Brightness is adjustable. Operates on a single 9 volt battery

(included).

Light Pollution Reduction (LPR) Filters - The 1 1/4" eyepiece filter is

designed to enhance your views of deep sky astronomical objects when viewed

from urban areas. LPR Filters selectively reduce the transmission of certain

wavelengths of light, specifically those produced by artificial lights. This

includes mercury and high and low pressure sodium vapor lights. In addition, it

also block unwanted natural light (sky glow) caused by neutral oxygen emis-

sion in our atmosphere.

Micro Guide Eyepiece (#94171) - This multipurpose 12.5mm illuminated

reticle can be used for guiding deep-sky astrophotos, measuring position

angles, angular separations, and more. The laser etched reticle provides razor

sharp lines and the variable brightness illuminator is completely cordless. The

micro guide eyepiece produces 96 power when used with the CR-150 HD at f/

Moon Filter (94119-A) - Celestron’s Moon Filter is an economical eyepiece

filter for reducing the brightness of the moon and improving contrast, so

greater detail can be observed on the lunar surface. The clear aperture is

21mm and the transmission is about 18%.

Optional Accessories

•

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Motor Drive System - #93518

By adding the MDCG-5 Drive System to your mount, you add the capacity to

automatically track objects in the sky, a convenience you’ll be sure to enjoy

during long viewing or astrophotography sessions, when manual tracking can

become tiring. Furthermore, the Drive System will enhance high-power visual

observing. It attaches to the R.A. (east/west) drive axis of your CG-5 Mount

and will drive the telescope at the normal sidereal rate as well as allowing you

to guide at 2x and 4x sidereal. Power is supplied via a DC battery pack.

Planisphere (93720) - A simple and inexpensive tool for all levels of observers,

from naked eye viewers to users of highly sophisticated telescopes. The

Celestron Planisphere makes it easy to locate stars for observing and is a

great planet finder as well. A map of the night sky, oriented by month and day,

rotates within a depiction of the 24 hours of the day, to display exactly which

stars and planets will be visible at any given time. Ingeniously simple to use,

yet quite effective. Made of durable materials and coated for added

protection. Celestron Planispheres come in three different models, to match

thelatitudefromwhichyou’reobserving:

For20°to40°oflatitude

For30°to50°oflatitude

For40°to60°oflatitude

93720-30

93720-40

93720-50

Polarizing Filter Set (#93608) - The polarizing filter set limits the transmis-

sion of light to a specific plane, thus increasing contrast between various

objects. This is used primarily for terrestrial, lunar and planetary observing.

Polar Axis Finderscope (#94221) - This useful accessory speeds accurate

polar alignment by providing a means of visually aligning your German equato-

rial mount with Polaris and true north. The finderscope has an eyepiece with

etched reticle for quick polar alignment.

Sky Maps (#93722) - Celestron Sky Maps are the ideal teaching guide for learning the night sky. You wouldn’t

set off on a road trip without a road map, and you don’t need to try to navigate the night sky without a map

either. Even if you already know your way around the major

constellations, these maps can help you locate all kinds of

fascinating objects.

T-Ring - The T-Ring couples your 35mm SLR camera body to

the T-Adapter, Radial Guider, or Tele-extender. This accessory

is mandatory if you want to do photography through the

telescope. Each camera make (i.e., Minolta, Nikon, Pentax,

etc.) has its own unique mount and therefore, its own T-Ring.

Celestron has 8 different models for 35mm cameras.

A full description of all Celestron accessories can be

found in the Celestron accessory catalog (#93685).

•

Optional Accessories

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THEMESSIERCATALOG

The Messier Catalog, compiled by Charles Messier, was the first extensive listing of star clusters and nebulae.

Messier’s primary observational purpose was to discover comets. He compiled this list so that others searching

for comets would not be confused by these objects. His list still remains popular today because all of these

objects are easily visible in amateur telescopes.

NGC#

Const.

R.A.

H M S

DEC

° ‘

Mag

Type

Proper Name

Crab Nebula

NGC1952

NGC7089

NGC5272

NGC6121

NGC5904

Tau

Aqr

CVn

Sco

Ser

5 34.5

21 33.5

13 42.2

16 23.6

15 18.5

22 01

-00 49

28 23

-26 32

2 05

8.4

6.5

6.4

5.9

5.8

P. Neb.

Gl.Cl.

M10

NGC6405

NGC6475

NGC6523

NGC6333

NGC6254

Sco

Sgr

Oph

17 40.0

17 54.0

18 03.7

17 19.2

16 57.2

-32 13

-34 49

-24 23

-18 31

-4 06

4.2

3.3

5.8

7.9

6.6

Op. Cl.

D.Neb.

Gl.Cl.

Butterfly Cluster

LagoonNebula

M11

M12

M13

M14

M15

NGC6705

NGC6218

NGC6205

NGC6402

NGC7078

Sct

Oph

Her

Oph

Peg

18 51.1

16 47.2

16 41.7

17 37.6

21 30.0

-6 16

-1 57

36 28

-3 15

12 10

5.8

6.6

5.9

7.6

6.4

Op. Cl.

Gl.Cl.

Wild Duck Cluster

Hercules Cluster

M16

M17

M18

M19

M20

NGC6611

NGC6618

NGC6613

NGC6273

NGC6514

Ser

Sgr

Oph

Sgr

18 18.9

18 20.8

18 19.9

17 02.6

18 02.4

-13 47

-16 11

-17 08

-26 16

-23 02

6.0

7.0

6.9

7.2

8.5

D.Neb.

Op. Cl.

Gl.Cl.

Eagle Nebula

Omega Nebula

D.Neb.

TrifidNebula

M21

M22

M23

M24

M25

NGC6531

NGC6656

NGC6494

NGC6603

IC 4725

Sgr

18 04.7

18 36.4

17 56.9

18 16.4

18 31.7

-22 30

-23 54

-19 01

-18 29

-19 15

5.9

5.1

5.5

4.5

4.6

Op. Cl.

Gl.Cl.

Op. Cl.

M26

M27

M28

M29

M30

NGC6694

NGC6853

NGC6626

NGC6913

NGC7099

Sct

Vul

Sgr

Cyg

Cap

18 45.2

19 59.6

18 24.6

20 23.0

21 40.4

-9 24

22 43

-24 52

38 32

-23 11

8.0

8.1

6.9

6.6

7.5

Op. Cl.

P. Neb.

Gl.Cl.

Op. Cl.

Gl.Cl.

DumbbellNebula

M31

M32

M33

M34

M35

NGC224

NGC221

NGC598

NGC1039

NGC2168

And

Tri

Per

Gem

0 42.7

1 33.8

2 42.0

6 08.8

41 16

40 52

30 39

42 47

24 20

3.4

8.2

5.7

5.2

5.1

Sp. Gx.

El. Gx.

Sp. Gx.

Op. Cl.

AndromedaGalaxy

Pinwheel Galaxy

The Messier Catalog

•

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R.A.

H M S

° ‘

M36

M37

M38

M39

M40

NGC1960

NGC2099

NGC1912

NGC7092

Aur

Cyg

5 36.3

5 52.0

5 28.7

21 32.3

12 22.2

34 08

32 33

35 50

48 26

58 05

6.0

5.6

6.4

4.6

8.0

Op. Cl.

dbl

UMa

M41

M42

M43

M44

M45

NGC2287

NGC1976

NGC1982

NGC2632

CMa

Ori

Cnc

Tau

6 47.0

5 35.3

5 35.5

8 40.0

3 47.5

-20 44

-5 27

-5 16

19 59

24 07

4.5

4.0

9.0

3.1

1.2

Op. Cl.

D. Neb.

D.Neb.

Op. Cl.

GreatOrionNebula

Beehive Cluster

Pleiades

M46

M47

M48

M49

M50

NGC2437

NGC2422

NGC2548

NGC4472

NGC2323

Pup

Hya

Vir

7 41.8

7 36.6

8 13.8

12 29.8

7 03.0

-14 49

-14 30

-5 48

8 00

6.1

4.4

5.8

8.4

5.9

Op. Cl.

El. Gx.

Op. Cl.

Mon

-8 20

M51

M52

M53

M54

M55

NGC5194-5

NGC7654

NGC5024

NGC6715

NGC6809

CVn

Cas

Com

Sgr

13 29.9

23 24.2

13 12.9

18 55.1

19 40 .0

47 12

61 35

18 10

-30 29

-30 58

8.1

6.9

7.7

7.0

Sp. Gx.

Op. Gx.

Gl.Cl.

WhirlpoolGalaxy

RingNebula

Sgr

M56

M57

M58

M59

M60

NGC6779

NGC6720

NGC4579

NGC4621

NGC4649

Lyr

Vir

19 16.6

18 53.6

12 37.7

12 42.0

12 43.7

30 11

33 02

11 49

11 39

11 33

8.2

9.0

9.8

8.8

Gl.Cl.

P. Neb.

Sp. Gx.

El. Gx.

M61

M62

M63

M64

M65

NGC4303

NGC6266

NGC5055

NGC4826

NGC3623

Vir

12 21.9

17 01.2

13 15.8

12 56.7

11 18.9

4 28

-30 07

42 02

21 41

13 05

9.7

6.6

8.6

8.5

9.3

Sp. Gx.

Gl.Cl.

Sp. Gx.

Oph

CVn

Com

Leo

SunflowerGalaxy

Black Eye Galaxy

Leo’sTriplet

M66

M67

M68

M69

M70

NGC3627

NGC2682

NGC4590

NGC6637

NGC6681

Leo

Cnc

Hya

Sgr

11 20.3

8 50.3

12 39.5

18 31.4

18 43.2

12 59

11 49

-26 45

-32 21

-32 18

9.0

6.9

8.2

7.7

8.1

Sp. Gx.

Op. Cl.

Gl.Cl.

Leo’sTriplet

M71

M72

M73

M74

M75

NGC6838

NGC6981

NGC6994

NGC628

Sge

Aqr

Psc

Sgr

19 53.7

20 53.5

20 58.0

1 36.7

18 47

-12 32

-12 38

15 47

8.3

9.4

Gl.Cl.

ast

9.2

8.6

NGC6864

20 06.1

-21 55

GlCl.

M76

M77

M78

M79

M80

NGC650-1

NGC1068

NGC2068

NGC1904

NGC6093

Per

Cet

Ori

Lep

Sco

1 42.2

2 42.7

5 46.7

5 24.2

16 17.0

51 34

0 01

0 03

-24 33

-22 59

11.5

8.8

8.0

7.2

P. Neb.

Sp. Gx.

D.Neb.

Gl.Cl.

CorkNebula

Gl.Cl.

•

The Messier Catalog

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R.A.

H M S

° ‘

M81

M82

M83

M84

M85

NGC3031

NGC3034

NGC5236

NGC4374

NGC4382

UMa

Hya

Vir

9 55.8

9 56.2

13 37.7

12 25.1

12 25.4

69 04

69 41

-29 52

12 53

18 11

6.8

8.4

7.6

9.3

9.2

Sp. Gx.

Ir.Gx.

Sp. Gx.

El. Gx.

Bodes Nebula

Com

M86

M87

M88

M89

M90

NGC4406

NGC4486

NGC4501

NGC4552

NGC4569

Vir

Com

Vir

12 26.2

12 30.8

12 32.0

12 35.7

12 36.8

12 57

12 24

14 25

12 33

13 10

9.2

8.6

9.5

9.8

9.5

El. Gx.

Sp. Gx.

El. Gx.

Sp. Gx.

VirgoA

M91

M92

M93

M94

M95

NGC4548

NGC6341

NGC2447

NGC4736

NGC3351

Com

Her

Pup

CVn

Leo

12 35.4

17 17.1

7 44.6

12 50.9

10 44.0

14 30

43 08

-23 52

41 07

11 42

10.2

6.5

6.2

8.1

9.7

Sp. Gx.

Gl.Cl.

Op. Cl.

Sp. Gx.

M96

M97

M98

M99

M100

NGC3368

NGC3587

NGC4192

NGC4254

NGC4321

Leo

10 46.8

11 14.9

12 13.8

12 18.8

12 22.9

11 49

55 01

14 54

14 25

15 49

9.2

11.2

10.1

9.8

Sp. Gx.

P. Neb.

Sp. Gx.

UMa

Com

OwlNebula

Pin Wheel Nebula

9.4

M101

M102

M103

M104

M105

NGC5457

NGC581

NGC4594

NGC3379

UMa

Cas

Vir

14 03.2

1 33.1

12 40.0

10 47.9

54 21

60 42

-11 37

12 35

7.7

7.4

8.3

9.3

Sp. Gx.

dup

Op. Cl.

Sp. Gx.

El. Gx..

Sombrero Galaxy

Leo

M106

M107

M108

M109

M110

NGC4258

NGC6171

NGC3556

NGC3992

NGC205

CVn

Oph

UMa

And

12 19.0

16 32.5

11 11.6

11 57.7

0 40.3

47 18

-13 03

55 40

53 23

41 41

8.3

8.1

10.0

9.8

Sp. Gx.

Gl.Cl.

Sp. Gx.

El. Gx.

8.0

Object Abbreviations:

• Sp. Gx. ................ Spiral Galaxy

• El. Gx. ................. EllipticalGalaxy

• Ir. Gx.................... IrregularGalaxy

• Op. Cl. ................. Open Cluster

• Gl. Cl. .................. GlobularCluster

• D. Neb.................. DiffuseNebula

• P. Neb.................. Planetary Nebula

NOTE:

All coordinates for the objects in the Messier catalog are listed in epoch 2000.00.

The Messier Catalog

•

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LIST OF BRIGHT STARS

The following is a list of bright stars that can be used to align the R.A. setting circle. All coordinates are in

epoch 2000.0.

Epoch 2000.0

Star Name

Constellation

R.A.

DEC

Magnitude

H M S

° ‘ “

Sirius

CMa

Car

Boo

Cen

Lyr

06 45 09

06 23 57

14 15 40

14 39 37

18 36 56

-16 42 58

-52 41 44

+19 10 57

-60 50 02

+38 47 01

-1.47

-0.72

+0.01

+0.04

Canopus

Arcturus

Rigel Kent.

Vega

Capella

Rigel

Procyon

Betelgeuse

Achernar

Aur

Ori

CMi

Ori

Eri

05 16 41

05 14 32

07 38 18

05 55 10

01 37 43

+45 59 53

-08 12 06

+05 13 30

+07 24 26

-57 14 12

+0.05

+0.14

+0.37

+0.41

+0.60

Hadar

Altair

Aldebaran

Spica

Antares

Cen

Aqi

Tau

Vir

14 03 49

19 50 47

04 35 55

13 25 12

16 29 24

-60 22 22

+08 52 06

+16 30 33

-11 09 41

-26 25 55

+0.63

+0.77

+0.86

+0.91

+0.92

Sco

Fomalhaut

Pollux

Deneb

Beta Crucis

Regulus

PsA

Gem

Cyg

Cru

22 57 39

07 45 19

20 41 26

12 47 43

10 08 22

-29 37 20

+28 01 34

+45 16 49

-59 41 19

+11 58 02

+1.15

+1.16

+1.28

+1.36

Leo

•

List of Bright Stars

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FOR FURTHER READING

The following is a list of astronomy books that will further enhance your understanding of the night sky. The

books are broken down by classification for easy reference.

Astronomy Texts

Astronomy Now .................................................................................................... Pasachoff & Kutner

Cambridge Atlas Of Astronomy .......................................................................... Audouze & Israel

McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia Of Astronomy ......................................................... Parker

Astronomy-The Evolving Universe....................................................................... Zeilik

Atlases

Atlas Of Deep Sky Splendors ............................................................................. Vehrenberg

Sky Atlas 2000.0 .................................................................................................. Tirion

Sky Catalog 2000.0 Vol 1 & 2 ............................................................................ Hirshfeld & Sinnott

Uranometria Vol. 1 & 2 ........................................................................................ Tirion, Rappaport, Lovi

Magnitude 6 Star Atlas ........................................................................................ Dickinson, Costanzo, Chaple

NGC 2000.0........................................................................................................... Sinnott

General Observational Astronomy

The Cambridge Astronomy Guide ...................................................................... Liller & Mayer

A Complete Manual Of Amateur Astronomy..................................................... Sherrod

The Guide To Amateur Astronomy ..................................................................... Newton & Teece

Visual Observation

Observational Astronomy For Amateurs ........................................................... Sidgwick

Astronomical Calendar......................................................................................... Ottewell

Burnham’s Celestial Handbook Vols. 1, 2 & 3 ................................................. Burnham

The Planet Jupiter................................................................................................. Peek

Field Guide To The Stars & Planets .................................................................. Menzel & Pasachoff

Observe Comets ................................................................................................... Edberg & Levy

Astrophotography

Skyshooting .......................................................................................................... Mayall & Mayall

Astrophotography A Step-by-Step Approach.................................................... Little

Astrophotography For The Amateur ................................................................... Covington

Astrophotography ................................................................................................. Gordon

Astrophotography II .............................................................................................. Martinez

A Manual Of Celestial Photography ................................................................... King

Manual Of Advanced Celestial Photography ..................................................... Wallis & Provin

Colours Of The Stars............................................................................................ Malin & Muirden

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CELESTRON ONE YEAR WARRANTY

A. Celestron International (CI) warrants this telescope to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for one year. CI will repair or replace such

product or part thereof which, upon inspection by CI, is found to be defective in materials or workmanship. As a condition to the obligation of CI to repair

or replace such product, the product must be returned to CI together with proof-of-purchase satisfactory to CI.

B. The Proper Return Authorization Number must be obtained from CI in advance of return. Call Celestron at (310) 328-9560 to receive the number to be

displayed on the outside of your shipping container.

All returns must be accompanied by a written statement setting forth the name, address, and daytime telephone number of the owner, together with a brief

description of any claimed defects. Parts or product for which replacement is made shall become the property of CI.

The customer shall be responsible for all costs of transportation and insurance, both to and from the factory of CI, and shall be required to

prepay such costs.

CI shall use reasonable efforts to repair or replace any telescope covered by this warranty within thirty days of receipt. In the event repair or replacement

shall require more than thirty days, CI shall notify the customer accordingly. CI reserves the right to replace any product which has been discontinued

from its product line with a new product of comparable value and function.

This warranty shall be void and of no force of effect in the event a covered product has been modified in design or function, or subjected to

abuse, misuse, mishandling or unauthorized repair. Further, product malfunction or deterioration due to normal wear is not covered by this

warranty.

CI DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WHETHER OF MERCHANTABILITY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR

USE, EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH HEREIN.

THE SOLE OBLIGATION OF CI UNDER THIS LIMITED WARRANTY SHALL BE TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE COVERED PRODUCT, IN

ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS SET FORTH HEREIN. CI EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY LOST PROFITS, GENERAL, SPECIAL, INDI-

RECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WHICH MAY RESULT FROM BREACH OF ANY WARRANTY, OR ARISING OUT OF THE USE

OR INABILITY TO USE ANY CI PRODUCT. ANY WARRANTIES WHICH ARE IMPLIED AND WHICH CANNOT BE DISCLAIMED SHALL

BE LIMITED IN DURATION TO A TERM OF ONE YEAR FROM THE DATE OF ORIGINAL RETAIL PURCHASE.

Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages or limitation on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the

above limitations and exclusions may not apply to you.

This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.

CI reserves the right to modify or discontinue, without prior notice to you, any model or style telescope.

If warranty problems arise, or if you need assistance in using your telescope contact:

Celestron International

Customer Service Department

2835 Columbia Street

Torrance, CA 90503

Tel. (310) 328-9560

Fax. (310) 212-5835

Monday-Friday 8AM-4PM PST

This warranty supersedes all other product warranties.

NOTE: This warranty is valid to U.S.A. and Canadian customers who have purchased this product from an

Authorized CI Dealer in the U.S.A. or Canada. Warranty outside the U.S.A. and Canada is valid only to customers

who purchased from a CI International Distributor or Authorized CI Dealer in the specific country and please

contact them for any warranty service.

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Celestron International

2835 Columbia Street

Torrance, CA 90503

Tel: 310-328-9560

Fax: 310-212-5835

Web site: www.celestron.com

(Products or instructions may change

without notice or obligation).

Item #21017-INST

10-99

Price $10.00

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