Celestron 11055 User manual

CELESTRON CI-700 / CM-1100 / CM-1400
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Models #91525 / #11055 / #11065

ii • TableofContents
The Celestron CM-1100/1400
Copyright © 1998
Celestron International
2835 Columbia Street
Torrance, CA 90503
[phone]
No part of this manual may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy-
ing, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from Celestron Interna-
tional.
Celestron International provides this manual “as is”without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including
but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Celestron may make
modifications to this manual and/or the products described herein at any time without notice or obligation.

TableofContents •iii
▲▲
▲▲
▲INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................. 1
How to Use this Manual..................................................................................................................... 2
AWordofCaution ............................................................................................................................. 2
TheSchmidt-CassegrainOpticalSystem .......................................................................................... 3
▲▲
▲▲
▲ASSEMBLINGYOURCELESTRONCM-1100 ...................................................................................... 4
UnpackingYourCelestronCM-1100 .................................................................................................. 4
SettingUptheTripod ......................................................................................................................... 6
Attaching the Center Leg Brace........................................................................................................ 7
AttachingtheCentralColumn ............................................................................................................ 7
Attachingthe EquatorialMount.......................................................................................................... 8
InstallingtheCounterweightBar ........................................................................................................ 9
InstallingtheCounterweight ............................................................................................................... 9
AttachingtheCelestron CM-1100 to the Mount ................................................................................10
Attaching the Visual Back ................................................................................................................11
InstallingtheStarDiagonal ...............................................................................................................11
InstallingtheEyepiece .....................................................................................................................12
InstallingtheFinder ..........................................................................................................................13
Installing the Polar Axis Finder .........................................................................................................14
MovingtheTelescopeinR.A.andDEC ............................................................................................15
UsingtheSlowMotionControls........................................................................................................15
AdjustingtheMount .........................................................................................................................16
Balancing the Mount in R.A. .............................................................................................................17
Balancing the Mount in DEC.............................................................................................................18
TransportingYourCelestronCM-1100 ..............................................................................................19
StoringYourCelestronCM-1100 ......................................................................................................19
TechnicalSpecifications ...................................................................................................................20
▲ ▲
▲ ▲
▲ TELESCOPE BASICS .........................................................................................................................22
ImageOrientation .............................................................................................................................22
Focusing ..........................................................................................................................................23
GeneralPhotographyHints...............................................................................................................24
AligningtheFinder............................................................................................................................24
Your First Look.................................................................................................................................25
DaytimeObserving .....................................................................................................................25
NighttimeObserving ...................................................................................................................26
CalculatingMagnification ..................................................................................................................27
DeterminingFieldofView .................................................................................................................27
▲ ▲
▲ ▲
▲ ASTRONOMY BASICS .......................................................................................................................28
TheCelestialCoordinateSystem......................................................................................................28
Motion of the Stars ...........................................................................................................................29
PolarAlignment ................................................................................................................................30
Findingthe Pole ...............................................................................................................................31
LatitudeScales ..........................................................................................................................32
Pointing at Polaris......................................................................................................................33
ThePolarAxis Finder.................................................................................................................34
DeclinationDrift..........................................................................................................................35
Aligning the Setting Circles .............................................................................................................36
T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S

iv •TableofContents
▲ ▲
▲ ▲
▲ USING THE DRIVE .............................................................................................................................37
PoweringUptheDrive ......................................................................................................................37
GuideSpeed ....................................................................................................................................38
TrackingRateSelection....................................................................................................................38
BC-BacklashCorrection ..................................................................................................................39
PeriodicErrorCorrection ..................................................................................................................39
HC/CCD ...........................................................................................................................................40
12 V DC ...........................................................................................................................................40
Northern/SouthernHemisphereOperation.........................................................................................41
UsingtheHandController .................................................................................................................41
R.A./DECReverse............................................................................................................................42
Autoguiding ......................................................................................................................................42
▲ ▲
▲ ▲
▲ CELESTIAL OBSERVING ...................................................................................................................43
ObservingtheMoon..........................................................................................................................43
ObservingthePlanets ......................................................................................................................43
ObservingtheSun ............................................................................................................................44
ObservingDeep-SkyObjects............................................................................................................45
Using the Setting Circles ...........................................................................................................45
StarHopping ..............................................................................................................................46
ViewingConditions ...........................................................................................................................48
Transparency .............................................................................................................................48
SkyIllumination .........................................................................................................................48
Seeing .......................................................................................................................................48
▲ ▲
▲ ▲
▲ CELESTIALPHOTOGRAPHY.............................................................................................................50
Short Exposure Prime Focus ...........................................................................................................51
Piggyback ........................................................................................................................................53
EyepieceProjection .........................................................................................................................55
LongExposure Prime Focus ............................................................................................................57
CCDImaging ....................................................................................................................................59
Description of F-Numbers............................................................................................................60
Fastar Configuration ...................................................................................................................60
Imaging at f/2.1 ..........................................................................................................................61
Imaging at f/7 .............................................................................................................................61
Imaging at f/11 ...........................................................................................................................61
Imaging at f/22 ...........................................................................................................................62
▲ ▲
▲ ▲
▲ TELESCOPEMAINTENANCE .............................................................................................................63
CareandCleaningoftheOptics .......................................................................................................63
Collimation .......................................................................................................................................63
▲▲
▲▲
▲OPTIONALACCESSORIES ................................................................................................................66
▲▲
▲▲
▲THE MESSIER CATALOG ..................................................................................................................70
▲ ▲
▲ ▲
▲ LIST OF BRIGHT STARS ...................................................................................................................73
▲ ▲
▲ ▲
▲ FORFURTHERREADING...................................................................................................................74

Introduction •1
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the Celestron world of amateur astronomy! For more than a
quarterofacentury,Celestronhasprovidedamateurastronomerswiththe
toolsneededtoexploretheuniverse. TheCelestronCM-1100andCM-1400
continuesin this proud tradition combining large aperture opticswith ease of
use and portability. With a mirror diameter of 11 inches, your Celestron CM-
1100has a light gathering power of1,593 times that ofthe unaided human eye,
andtheCM-1400hasalightgatheringpower of 2,581 times that of the unaided
humaneye. Yetdespite their large apertures, the CelestronCM-1100andCM-
1400 optical systems are extremely compact and portable because they utilize
the Schmidt-Cassegrain design. This means you can take your Celestron CM-
1100orCM-1400tothemountainsordesertorwhereveryouobserve.
TheCelestronCM-1100andCM-1400aremadeofthehighestqualitymaterials
to ensure stability and durability. All this adds up to telescopes that will give
you a lifetime of pleasure with a minimal amount of maintenance. And, your
CelestronCM-1100 and CM-1400 are versatile —theygrowas your interest
inastronomygrows.
YourCelestronCM-1100andCM-1400, arenotlimitedtoastronomicalviewing
alone. Theycanalso be used for terrestrial viewing to study the world around
you. All you need to do is take the time to familiarize yourself with your
Celestrontelescopeanditsoperation.
NOTE
The CM-1100 and CM-1400 share the same mount and are basically the
same with the exception of the larger aperture of the 14". So, this
manual will basically discuss the CM-1100 but will discuss the CM-1400
when there are differences. Users of the CI-700 mount by itself will find
complete assembly and operation instructions in the "AssemblingYour
CM-1100" and "Using the Drive" sections of this manual.

2 •Introduction
This manual is designed to instruct you in the proper use of your Celestron
CM-1100 telescope. The instructions are for assembly, initial use, long term
operation,andmaintenance. Therearesevenmajor sectionsto themanual.
ThefirstsectioncoverstheproperprocedureforsettingupyourCelestronCM-
1100 telescope. This includes setting up the tripod, attaching the telescope to
the mount, balancing the telescope, etc.
The second section deals with the basics of telescope use. Topics include
focusing, aligning the finder, and taking your first look. The third section
deals with the basics of astronomy which includes the celestial coordinate
system, the motion of the stars, and polar alignment. The fourth section deals
withcelestialobservingcoveringvisualobservationsoftheplanetsanddeep-
sky objects. Using both the setting circles and star hopping are discussed.
Thefifth section covers celestial photographyworkingfromthe easiest to the
most difficult. The last major section is on telescope maintenance, specifically
on cleaning and collimation. Keeping your CM-1100 in proper collimation
is the single most important thing you can do to ensure it performs well.
In addition to the major sections mentioned previously, there is a list of optional
accessoriesforyourCelestronCM-1100that include a brief description of its
purpose. This is the section to consult when you’ve mastered the basics and
arereadyfornew,morechallengingobservations. Thefinalpartofthismanual
containsalistof objects that can be observed through your Celestron CM-1100
telescope. Included are the coordinates for each object, its brightness, and a
code which indicates what type of an object it is. In addition, there is a list of
bright stars used for aligning the setting circles.
Read the assembly instructions through completely before you attempt to set
upyour Celestron CM-1100 telescope. Then,onceyou’ve set up your
CelestronCM-1100,readthesectionon“TelescopeBasics”beforeyoutakeit
outside and use it. This will ensure that you are familiar with your telescope
before you try to use it under a dark sky. Since it will take a few observing
sessionstofamiliarizeyourselfwithyourCelestronCM-1100,youshouldkeep
thismanualhandy until you have fully mastered your telescope’s operation.
Afterthat,savethemanualforfuturereference.
YourCelestronCM-1100isdesignedtogiveyouhoursoffunandrewarding
observations. Thereare,however,afewthingstoconsiderbeforeusingyour
telescope that will ensure your safety and protect your equipment.
WARNING! NEVERLOOKDIRECTLYATTHESUNWITHTHENAKEDEYEORWITHA
TELESCOPE. PERMANENTANDIRREVERSIBLEEYEDAMAGEMAY
RESULT.
NEVERUSEYOURTELESCOPETOPROJECTANIMAGEOFTHESUN
ONTOANYSURFACE. INTERNALHEATBUILD-UPCANDAMAGETHE
TELESCOPEAND/ORANYACCESSORIESATTACHEDTOIT.
NEVERUSEANEYEPIECESOLARFILTERORAHERSCHELWEDGE.
INTERNALHEATBUILD-UPINSIDETHETELESCOPECANCAUSETHESE
DEVICESTOCRACKORBREAK,ALLOWINGUNFILTEREDSUNLIGHTTO
PASSTHROUGHTOTHEEYE.
NEVERLEAVETHETELESCOPEUNSUPERVISED,EITHERWHENCHIL-
How to Use This
Manual
A Word of Caution

Introduction •3
DRENAREPRESENTORADULTSWHOMAYNOTBEFAMILIARWITH
THECORRECTOPERATINGPROCEDURESOFYOURTELESCOPE.
NEVERPOINTYOURTELESCOPEATTHESUNUNLESSYOUHAVETHE
PROPERSOLARFILTER. WHENUSINGYOURTELESCOPEWITHTHE
CORRECTSOLARFILTER,ALWAYSCOVERTHEFINDER. ALTHOUGH
SMALLINAPERTURE,THISINSTRUMENTHASENOUGHLIGHTGATHER-
INGPOWERTOCAUSEPERMANENTANDIRREVERSIBLEEYEDAMAGE.
INADDITION,THEIMAGEPROJECTEDBYTHEFINDERISHOTENOUGH
TOBURNSKINORCLOTHING.
A telescope is nothing more than an instrument that collects and focuses light.
The nature of the optical design determines how the light is focused. Some
telescopes, known as refractors, use lenses while others, known as reflectors,
usemirrors. The Schmidt-Cassegrainoptical(or Schmidt-Cass forshort)
system uses a combination of mirrors and lenses and is referred to as a
compoundorcatadioptrictelescope. Thisuniquedesignofferslargediameter
optics while maintaining very short tube lengths, making them extremely
portable. Thismakesthemextremelypopularamong amateurastronomers.
The Schmidt-Cassegrain system consists of a zero power corrector plate, a
spherical primary mirror, and a secondary mirror. Once light rays enter the
optical system, they travel the length of the optical tube three times.
Inside the optical tube you will notice a black tube (not illustrated) that extends
out from the center hole in the primary mirror. This is the primary baffle tube
whichpreventsstraylightfrompassing through to the eyepiece or camera
withoutstriking the primary or secondary mirrors.
Figure 1-1
This cross-sectional diagram shows the light path of the Schmidt-Cassegrain optical
system. Note that the light rays travel the length of the telescope tube three times,
making this a compact optical design. Note that the curve of the corrector plate is
greatly exaggerated.
TheSchmidt-Cassegrain
OpticalSystem

4 •Assembling Your CM-1100
ASSEMBLING YOUR CM-1100
Thissection coverstheassembly instructionsforyour CelestronCM-1100
telescope. The Celestron CM-1100 should be set up indoors the first time so
that it is easy to identify the various parts and familiarize yourself with the
correctassemblyprocedurebeforeattemptingitoutdoors.
TheCelestronCM-1100isa standard11" Schmidt-Cassegraintelescopeona
heavy-dutyGermanequatorialmount. TheCelestronCM-1100comesstan-
dardwithStarbright ™enhanced multilayer aluminum coatings on the primary
and secondary mirrors for increased reflectivity. Also, the corrector plate is
fully coated to allow maximum light transmission. The Celestron CM-1100 is
shipped in six boxes. One contains the telescope and is accompanied by a
box that contains most of the standard accessories, which are:
•26mm Plössl Ocular 1-1/4"
•Visual Back 1-1/4" (2" Visual Back on the CM-1400)
•StarDiagonal1-1/4" (2"MirrorDiagonalfortheCM-1400)
•9x50mm Finderscope with Bracket
•Car Battery Adapter
•Lens Cap
Inseparateboxesarethefollowing:
•Optical Tube Assembly
•EquatorialMountandCounterweightBar
•Tripod
•CentralColumn, Electronics Module, Polar Axis Finderand Hand Control
•One23Pound Counterweight (The CM-1400 come with two 25 lb.
counterweights)
•Accessories for Optical Tube
Includedisallthehardware needed to assemble the telescope.
Usethediagramonthe followingpage (seeFigure2-1)tofamiliarizeyourself
withthevariouspartsofyourCelestronCM-1100telescope.
Removeall the pieces from their respective boxes and placeon a flat, clear
work area. A large floor space is ideal. When setting up your Celestron CM-
1100) you must start with the tripod and work up from there. These instruc-
tions are laid out in the order each task must be performed.
Unpacking Your
Celestron CM-1100

Assembling Your CM-1100 •5
Figure 2-1
1. Optical Tube
2. Finderscope
3. Star Diagonal
4. Eyepiece
5. Polar Axis Finderscope
6. DriveControlElectronics
7. HandControl
8. Tripod
9. Center Leg Brace
10. Counterweight
11. Counterweight Bar
12. R.A.ClutchKnob
13. DECClutchKnob
14.MountingPlatformClampKnob
15. Dovetail Slidebar
16. Objective Lens Cover
1
2
11
7
8
3
5
4
9
6
10
12
13
14
15
16
CM-1100

6 •Assembling Your CM-1100
Setting Up the Tripod
The tripod legs attach to a central column which together form the tripod to
which the equatorial mount attaches. The tripod comes with two leg support
brackets; a collapsible one that is already attached to the lower legs and a
removable one that must be attached. To set up the tripod:
1. Standthetripodverticallyona level surface, with the feet facingdown(See
Figure2-2).
2. Grab the lower portion of two of the tripod legs and lift them slightly off the
ground so that the tripod is resting on the third leg.
3. Extend the tripod legs by pulling the tripod legs apart until the collapsible
leg bracket is fully extended. (See Figure 2-3)
Before the tripod is ready to support the equatorial head and optical tube the
center leg support brace must first be installed.
Figure 2-2 Figure2-3

Assembling Your CM-1100 •7
Beforethe equatorial mount head can be installed, thecentral column with
the electronics module must be attached to the tripod. To attach the central
column:
1 Position the central column so that the electronics module is right
sideup (seeFigure2-4).
2 Placethelowerendofthecentral column over the tripod head.
3 Rotate the column until the three holes line up with the threaded
holes on the side of the tripod head. The electronics console should
bepositioned directly betweentwoof the tripodleghinges to provide
easy access to it even when the counterweight bar and
counterweight(s)areattached.
4 Insertthethree3/8-16buttonheadcapscrewsprovidedthroughthe
holes in the central column and into the tripod head.
5 Tighten the screws to hold the column securely in place.
Attaching the Center
Leg Brace For maximum rigidity, the CI 700 tripod has a center leg brace that installs on
to the threaded rod below the tripod head. This brace fits snugly against the
tripod legs, increasing stability while reducing vibration and flexure. To attach
the center leg brace:
1 Unscrew the tension knob from the threaded rod beneath the tripod
head.
2 Place the center leg brace onto the threaded rod so that the cup on
the end of each bracket contours to the curve of the tripod legs.
3 Rotate the tension knob back on the threaded rod until the brace is
very snug against each tripod leg.
Attaching the Central
Column
Center Leg Brace
Central Column
Electronics Console
Figure 2-4

8 •Assembling Your CM-1100
After the tripod is set up, you are ready to attach the equatorial mount. The
equatorial mount is the platform to which the telescope attaches and allows
you to move the telescope in right acsension and declination. The mount is
also adjustable so you can orient the axis of rotation so that it is parallel with
the Earth’s axis of rotation (see the section on “Polar Alignment”). To attach
theequatorial mount to the tripod:
1. Insert the base of the equatorial mount into the top of the central column.
2. Rotate the equatorial mount on the central column until the holes in the
mount line up with those in the central column and the dec opening (where
thecounterweightshaftwillgo)ispositioneddirectlyoveroneofthetripod
legs.
3. Insertthethreeremaining3/8-16capscrewsandwashersprovidedthrough
the holes in the central pier and into the equatorial mount (see Figure 2-5).
4. Tighten the screws to hold the equatorial mount in place.
Attachingthe
Equatorial Mount
Figure2-5
Central Column
EquatorialMount
Counterweight
Shaft Opening

Assembling Your CM-1100 •9
Toproperlybalancethe telescope, the mount comes with a counterweight bar
andonecounterweight(theCM-1400comeswithtwocounterweights). The
counterweight bar is located in the same box as the Equatorial Mount Head —
in a cutout along the bottom of the shipping box. To install the counterweight
bar:
1. Locate the opening in the equatorial mount on the DEC axis (see figure 2-
6). It is opposite the telescope mounting platform.
2. Threadthe counterweightbarintotheopening untiltight.
Once the bar is securely in place you are ready to attach the counterweight.
Since the fully assembled telescope is quite heavy, position the mount
so that the tripod leg with the counterweight bar over it is pointing
towards north before the tube assembly and counterweights are at-
tached. This will make the polar alignment procedure much easier.
TheCelestronCM-1100comesstandardwithone23poundcounterweight.The
CM-1400comes with two 25 pound counterweights. To installthe
counterweight(s):
1. Orientthe mount so that the counterweight bar points toward theground
(seefigure2-7).
2. Removethecounterweightsafetythumbscrewandwasherontheendof
the counterweight bar (i.e., opposite the end that attaches to the mount).
3. Loosen the set screw on the side of the counterweight.
4. Slidethe counterweight onto the shaft.
5. Tighten the locking screw on the side of the weight to hold the counter-
weightin place.
6. Replacethecounterweightsafetythumbscrewandwasher.
Installing the
CounterweightBar
Installingthe
Counterweight
HINT
Figure 2-5
Counterweight
Bar
CounterweightBar
SafetyScrew
Figure 2-6
Counterweight
Bar
Counterweight
Figure 2-7

10 •Assembling Your CM-1100
The telescope attaches to the mount via a dovetail slide bar which is mounted
along the bottom of the telescope. Before you attach the optical tube, make
sure that the declination and right ascension clutch knobs are tight. This will
ensure that the mount does not move suddenly while attaching the telescope.
Tomountthetelescope tube:
1 Loosen the knobs on the side of the telescope mounting platform. This
allows you to slide the dovetail bar on the telescope onto the mount.
2 Slidethedovetailbaronthetelescopetubeintothemountingplatformof
the mount. Slide the telescope so that the back of the dovetail bar is
almost flush with the back of the mounting platform.
3 Tighten the locking knobs on the side of the mounting platform to hold the
telescope in place.
4 Slide the dovetail slide bar safety clamp down the front end of the slide bar
until it touches the mounting platform. This clamp is designed to keep the
telescope from sliding off the mount in case the knobs on the side of the
platform comes loose. It is best to wait until the telescope is balanced in
R.A. and DEC before attaching the safety clamp (see "Balancing the
Mount in DEC" later in this section).
AttachingtheOptical
Tube to the Mount
Figure2-8
Optical Tube
Dovetail Slide Bar
Mounting Platform
Mounting Platform
Locking Knobs

Assembling Your CM-1100 •11
The visual back is the accessory that allows you to attach all visual accesso-
ries to the telescope. To attach the visual back:
1. Removetheplasticcover on therearcell.
2. Place the knurled slip ring on the visual back over the threads on the rear
cell.
3. Hold the visual back with the set screw in a convenient position and rotate
the knurled slip ring clockwise until tight.
Once this is done, you are ready to attach other accessories, such as eye-
pieces, diagonal prisms, etc.
If you want to remove the visual back, rotate the slip ring counterclockwise until
it separates from the rear cell.
The star diagonal is a prism that diverts 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 looked straight through. To attach the star
diagonal: NOTE: The CM-1400 uses a 2" mirror diagonal.
1. Turn the set screw on the visual back until its tip no longer extends into
(i.e., obstructs) the inner diameter of the visual back.
2. Slide the chrome portion of the star diagonal into the visual back.
3. Tighten the set screw on the visual back 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.
Attachingthe Visual
Back
Installingthe Star
Diagonal
Figure2-9

12 • Assembling Your CM-1100
The eyepiece, or ocular, is an optical element that magnifies the image
focused by the telescope. The ocular(s) fit into either the visual back directly,
the star diagonal, or the Erect Image Diagonal (purchased separately). To
install an ocular:
1. Loosen the set screw on the star diagonal until the tip no longer extends
into the inner diameter of the eyepiece end of the diagonal.
2. Slide the chrome portion of the eyepiece into the star diagonal.
3. Tighten the set screw on the star diagonal 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 replace it with another ocular (purchased sepa-
rately).
NOTE:NOTE:
NOTE:NOTE:
NOTE: The 2" mirror diagonal has a 1 1/4" eyepiece adapter to use 1 1/4"
eyepieces. You may remove the adapter to use 2" eyepieces.
Eyepieces are commonly referred to by focal length and barrel diameter. The
focal length of each eyepiece is printed on the eyepiece barrel. The longer the
focal length (i.e., the larger the number) the lower the eyepiece power and the
shorter the focal length (i.e., the smaller the number) the higher the magnifica-
tion. Generally, you will use low-to-moderate power when viewing. For more
information on how to determine power, see the section on “Calculating
Magnification.”
Installing the EyepieceInstalling the Eyepiece
Installing the EyepieceInstalling the Eyepiece
Installing the Eyepiece
Figure 2-10Figure 2-10
Figure 2-10Figure 2-10
Figure 2-10

Assembling Your CM-1100 • 13
The CM-1100 telescope come with a 9x50 finderscope used to help you locate
and center objects in the main field of your telescope. To accomplish this, the
finder has a built-in cross-hair reticle that shows the optical center of the
finderscope.
Start by removing the finder and hardware from the plastic wrapper. Included
are the following:
• 9x50mm Finder
• Finder Bracket
• Rubber O-ring
• Three Nylon Tipped Thumbscrews (10-24x1/2")
• Two Allen Head Screws (8-32x1/2")
To install the finder:
1. Attach the bracket to the optical tube. To do this, place the curved portion
of the bracket with the slot over the two holes in the rear cell. The bracket
should be oriented so that the rings that hold the finder are over the
telescope tube, not the rear cell (see Figure 2-1). Start threading the
screws in by hand and tighten fully with an Allen wrench.
2. Partially thread-in the three nylon-tipped thumbscrews that hold the finder
in place inside the bracket. Tighten the screws until the nylon heads are
flush with the inner diameter of the bracket ring. Do NOTNOT
NOTNOT
NOT thread them in
completely or they will interfere with the placement of the finder. (Having
the screws in place when the finder is installed will be easier than trying to
insert the screws after the finder has been installed.)
3. Slide the rubber O-ring over the back of the finder (it will NOTNOT
NOTNOT
NOT fit over the
objective end of the finder). It may need to be stretched a little. Once on
the main body of the finder, slide it up about one inch from the end of the
finder.
4. Rotate the finder until one cross hair is parallel to the R.A. axis and the
other is parallel to the DEC axis.
5. Slide the eyepiece end of the finder into the front of the bracket.
6. Slightly tighten the three nylon tipped thumbscrews on the front ring of the
bracket to hold the finder in place.
7. Once on, push the finder back until the O-ring is snug inside the back ring
of the finder bracket.
8. Hand tighten the three nylon tipped thumbscrews until snug.
Installing the FinderInstalling the Finder
Installing the FinderInstalling the Finder
Installing the Finder

14 • Assembling Your CM-1100
To aid in polar aligning the mount, your telescope comes standard with a Polar
Housing Finder. It installs directly on top of the polar housing of the mount. To
install the Polar Finder:
1. Locate the Polar Finder assembly. The Polar Finder assembly consists
of the polar finder, mounting bracket and knurled mounting screw (see
Figure 2.11).
2. Place the Polar Finder Assembly on top of the polar axis housing so that
the mounting stop on the metal bracket sits flush against the rear of the
polar housing.
3. Secure the Polar Finder Assembly to the mount by threading the Knurled
Mounting Screw into the threaded hole on top of the Polar Housing.
The Polar Axis Finder is now installed and ready to use. To learn how to polar
align the mount using the Polar Axis Finder, refer to the Astronomy Basics
section of the manual.
Installing the PolarInstalling the Polar
Installing the PolarInstalling the Polar
Installing the Polar
FinderFinder
FinderFinder
Finder
Figure 2-11
FinderscopeBracketAssembly
Knurled Mounting Screw
PolarAxisHousing
NylonTensionScrew
PolarFinderscope
MountingStop

Assembling Your CM-1100 • 15
Once set up, you need to point your telescope at various portions of the sky to
observe different objects. To make rough adjustments, loosen the R.A. and
DEC clutch knobs slightly and move the telescope in the desired direction.
Both the R.A. and DEC axis have two knobs to clutch down each axis of the
telescope. To loosen the clutches on the telescope, rotate the clutch knobs
(see figure below) counterclockwise. Once your have found your desired object
in the finderscope, rotate the clutch knobs on each axis clockwise to lock the
telescope in place.
Moving the TelescopeMoving the Telescope
Moving the TelescopeMoving the Telescope
Moving the Telescope
in R.A. and DECin R.A. and DEC
in R.A. and DECin R.A. and DEC
in R.A. and DEC
Using the Slow MotionUsing the Slow Motion
Using the Slow MotionUsing the Slow Motion
Using the Slow Motion
ControlsControls
ControlsControls
Controls The CI 700 mount is equipped with slow motion controls on both the R.A. and
Declination axis. Each slow motion control has a clutch mechanism that
allows you to override the tracking motor and adjust the amount of tension
when turning the knob. To adjust the clutch mechanism, hold the slow motion
knob with one hand, and rotate the clutch wheel with your other hand. Rotate
the clutch wheel clockwise (downward) to increase the tension on the slow
motion control and counterclockwise (upward) to decrease the tension.
DECClutchKnobs
R.A.ClutchKnobs
DECSlowMotionControl
R.A.Slow MotionControl
Slow MotionKnob
ClutchWheel
Figure 2-12
Figure 2-13

16 • Assembling Your CM-1100
In order for the clock drive to track accurately, the telescope’s axis of rotation
must be parallel to the Earth’s axis of rotation, a process known as polar
alignment. Polar alignment is achieved NOTNOT
NOTNOT
NOT by moving the telescope in R.A.
or DEC, but by adjusting the mount vertically, which is called altitude, and
horizontally, which is called azimuth. This section simply covers the correct
movement of the telescope during the polar alignment process. The actual
process of polar alignment, that is making the telescope’s axis of rotation
parallel to the Earth’s, is described later in this manual in the section on “Polar
Alignment.”
To adjust the mount in altitude:
1. Locate the altitude adjustment bolt just above the tripod column (see
figure 2-14).
2. Using the 7/32" Allen wrench provided, turn the altitude adjustment bolt
until the mount is at the right elevation.
The total altitude range is from 13° to 65°. With the 23 lb counterweight
attached to the counterweight shaft, the equatorial head can go as low as 20°
without hitting the tripod leg.
To adjust the mount in azimuth:
1. Locate the azimuth adjustment bolt on the flat portion of the tripod column.
2. Loosen the two azimuth lock knobs located on the top of the tripod
column.
3. Turn the azimuth adjustment bolt with the 7/32" Allen wrench until the
polar axis is pointing in the right direction.
4. Tighten the azimuth lock knobs to hold the mount in place.
The mount can be moved ± 7° in azimuth using these bolts.
Keep in mind that adjusting the mount is done during the polar alignment
process only. Once polar aligned, the mount must NOTNOT
NOTNOT
NOT be moved. Pointing
the telescope is done by moving the mount in right ascension and declination,
as described earlier in this manual. Once the appropriate adjustments have
been made and you are aligned on the celestial pole, turn the clock drive on
and the telescope will track.
Adjusting the MountAdjusting the Mount
Adjusting the MountAdjusting the Mount
Adjusting the Mount
Figure 2-14
Altitude Adjustment Bolt
Azimuth Adjustment Bolt
Bubble Level
Azimuth Lock Screws