Levenhuk Skyline PRO 90 MAK User manual

Telescopes
Levenhuk Skyline PRO 90 MAK
Levenhuk Skyline PRO 105 MAK
Levenhuk Skyline PRO 127 MAK
Levenhuk Skyline PRO 130 EQ
Levenhuk Skyline PRO 150 EQ
User Guide

All parts of the telescope will arrive in one box. Be careful unpacking it. We recommend keeping
the original shipping containers. In the event that the telescope needs to be shipped to another
location, having the proper shipping containers will help ensure that your telescope survives the
journey intact. Make sure all the parts are present in the packaging. Be sure to check the box
carefully, as some parts are small. No tools are needed other than the ones provided. All screws
should be tightened securely to eliminate flexing and wobbling, but be careful not to overtighten
them, or the threads may strip.
During assembly (and anytime, for that matter), do not touch the surfaces of the telescope
objective lens, the lenses of the finderscope, or eyepiece lenses with your fingers. The optical
surfaces have delicate coatings on them that can easily be damaged if touched inappropriately.
Never remove any lens assembly from its housing, or the product warranty will be null and void.
Congratulations on your purchase of high-quality Levenhuk telescope!
These telescopes are designed for high-resolution viewing of astronomical objects. With their
precision optics, you will be able to locate and enjoy hundreds of fascinating celestial objects,
including the planets, the Moon, and a variety of deep-sky galaxies, nebulas, and star clusters.
If you have never owned a telescope before, we would like to welcome you to amateur
astronomy. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the night sky. Learn to recognize the
patterns of stars in the major constellations. With a little practice, a little patience, and a
reasonably dark sky away from city lights, you'll find your telescope to be a never-ending source
of wonder, exploration, and relaxation.
These instructions will help you set up, properly use, and care for your telescope. Please read
them thoroughly before getting started.
Congratulations!
CAUTION!
Never look directly at the Sun – even for an instant – through your telescope or
finderscope without a professionally made solar filter that completely covers the front of
the instrument, or it may result in permanent eye damage. To avoid damage of the
internal parts of your telescope make sure the front end of the finder scope is covered
with aluminum foil or another non-transparent material. Children should use the
telescope under adult supervision only.

Refractor with the EQ3-2 mount
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Dust cap
Dew cap
Objective lens
Telescope tube
Piggyback bracket
Finderscope
Finderscope bracket
Adjustment screws
Eyepiece
Diagonal mirror
Focuser tube
Focusing knob
R.A. slow-motion control
Dec. slow-motion control
R.A. lock knob
Polarscope holder
Altitude adjustment T-bolt
Counterweight rod
Counterweight
Counterweight lock screw
Azimuth adjustment knob
Dec. lock knob
Ring clamps
Accessory tray
Tripod leg
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Refractor with the EQ5 mount
Polarscope holder
Altitude adjustment T-bolt
Azimuth adjustment knob
Counterweight rod
Counterweight
Counterweight lock screw
R.A. adjustment knob
R.A. lock knob
Dec. lock knob
Dec. adjustment knob
Mounting plate (150 mm/1200 mm)
Ring clamps
Accessory tray
Tripod leg
Dust cap
Dew cap
Objective lens
Telescope tube
Piggyback bracket
Finderscope
Finderscope bracket
Adjustment screws
Eyepiece
Diagonal mirror
Focuser tube
Focusing knob
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2.
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Reflector with the EQ3-2 mount
Dust cap
Focuser tube
Finderscope
Finderscope bracket
Adjustment screws
Eyepiece
Focusing knob
Piggyback bracket
Telescope tube
Primary mirror
Dec. slow-motion control
R.A. lock knob
Polarscope holder
Altitude adjustment T-bolt
Counterweight rod
Counterweight
Counterweight lock screw
Azimuth adjustment knob
Dec. lock knob
Ring clamps
Accessory tray
Tripod leg
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Reflector with the EQ5 mount
Mounting plate
R.A. slow-motion control
Polarscope holder
Altitude adjustment T-bolt
Azimuth adjustment knob
Counterweight
Counterweight lock screw
Counterweight rod
R.A. lock knob
Dec. lock knob
Dec. slow-motion control
Ring clamps
Accessory tray
Tripod leg
Dust cap
Focuser tube
Finderscope
Finderscope bracket
Adjustment screws
Eyepiece
Focusing knob
Piggyback bracket
Telescope tube
Primary mirror
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
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b.
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Altitude adjustment T-bolt
Azimuth adjustment knob
Counterweight lock screw
Counterweight rod
Dec. lock knob
Dec. setting circle
Tripod leg
Accessory tray
Height adjustment clamp
Maksutov telescope with the EQ5 mount
Dust cap
Finderscope
Focuser lock screw
Eyepiece
Diagonal mirror
Focusing knob
R.A. lock knob
Dec. slow-motion control
Polarscope
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Telescope assembly with the EQ3-2 mount
Slowly loosen the tripod locking knobs and gently pull out the lower section of each tripod leg.
Tighten the clamps to hold the legs in place. Spread the tripod legs apart to stand the tripod
upright.
Adjust the height of each tripod leg until the tripod head is properly leveled. Note that the
tripod legs may not be the same length when the equatorial mount is leveled.
Place the accessory tray on top of the bracket, and secure it with thumbscrews from
underneath.
Attach the equatorial mount to the tripod head. If the mount does not fit on the tripod, loosen
the azimuth lock knob. Retighten it after assembly.
Take the counterweight rod.
Screw the counterweight rod into the threaded hole on the end of the declination shaft.
Unscrew the threaded cap from the end of the counterweight rod.
Take the counterweight(s) and slide them halfway along the counterweight rod. Tighten the
counterweight thumbscrews.
Replace the threaded cap on the end of the counterweight rod.
Attach the slow-motion controls to the worm gear mechanisms. Tighten the locking screws to secure
the control in place.
Telescope and mount assembly

Remove the telescope tube from its packaging.
Remove the ring clamps by releasing their thumbscrews and opening their hinges.
Using the bolts provided, fasten the ring clamps to the mount with a wrench.
Place the telescope tube between the rings and balance it. Close the hinges around the
telescope and retighten the thumbscrews. Do not overtighten.
For reflectors:
Take the finderscope.
Insert the finderscope bracket into a holder on the telescope tube and lock it in place with a
thumbscrew.
For refractors:
Take the finderscope bracket. Carefully remove the rubber ring.
Place the ring on the finderscope and position it into the groove halfway along the tube.
Insert the finderscope bracket into a holder on the telescope tube and lock it in place with a
thumbscrew.
Insert the finderscope into the bracket, so that the rubber ring locks it in place.
Finderscope assembly

For refractors and Maksutov telescopes:
Unthread the thumbscrews on the focuser tube.
Insert the diagonal mirror into the focuser tube and secure it by retightening the thumbscrews.
Afterwards, insert the desired eyepiece into the diagonal mirror.
Unthread the thumbscrews on the diagonal mirror.
Eyepiece assembly
Telescope assembly with the EQ5 mount
Slowly loosen the tripod locking knobs and gently pull out the lower section of each tripod leg.
Tighten the clamps to hold the legs in place. Spread the tripod legs apart to stand the tripod
upright.
Adjust the height of each tripod leg until the tripod head is leveled. Note that the tripod legs
may not be the same length when the equatorial mount is leveled.
Place the accessory tray on top of the bracket, and secure it with thumbscrews from
underneath.
Attach the equatorial mount to the tripod head. If the mount does not fit on the tripod, loosen
the azimuth lock knob. Retighten it after assembly.
Telescope and mount assembly
For reflectors:
Unthread the thumbscrews on the focuser tube to remove the black plastic cap.
Insert the desired eyepiece and secure it by retightening the thumbscrews.

Take the counterweight rod.
Screw the counterweight rod into the threaded hole on the end of the declination shaft.
Unscrew the threaded cap from the end of the counterweight rod.
Take the counterweight(s) and slide them halfway along the counterweight rod. Tighten the
counterweight thumbscrews.
Replace the threaded cap on the end of the counterweight rod.
Place the mounting plate (it can be either short or long, depending on the components supplied)
into the bracket and lock it in place with two locking screws. Make sure the holes on the plate
and the mount are aligned.
Remove the telescope tube from its packaging.
Remove the ring clamps by releasing their thumbscrews and opening their hinges.
Using the bolts provided, fasten the ring clamps to the mount with a wrench.
Place the telescope tube between the rings and balance it. Close the hinges around the
telescope and retighten the thumbscrews. Do not overtighten.
For reflectors:
Take the finderscope.
Insert the finderscope bracket into a holder on the telescope tube and lock it in place with
a thumbscrew.
Finderscope assembly

For refractors:
Take the finderscope bracket. Carefully remove the rubber ring.
Place the ring on the finderscope and position it into the groove halfway along the tube.
Insert the finderscope bracket into a holder on the telescope tube and lock it in place with a
thumbscrew.
Insert the finderscope into the bracket, so that the rubber ring locks it in place.
For reflectors:
Unthread the thumbscrews on the focuser tube to remove the black plastic cap.
Insert the desired eyepiece and secure it by retightening the thumbscrews.
For refractors and Maksutov telescopes:
Unthread the thumbscrews on the focuser tube.
Insert the diagonal mirror into the focuser tube and secure it by retightening the thumbscrews.
Unthread the thumbscrews on the diagonal mirror.
Insert the desired eyepiece into the diagonal mirror and secure it by retightening the
thumbscrews.
Eyepiece assembly

Optical finderscope
Optical finderscopes are very useful accessories. When they are correctly aligned with the
telescope, objects can be quickly located and brought to the center of the view. Alignment is best
done outdoors in day light when it's easier to locate objects. If it is necessary to refocus your
finderscope, sight it on an object that is at least 500 yards away. For 5x24 and 6x24 finderscopes:
turn the scope end to adjust the focus. For 6x30 finderscopes: loosen the locking ring by
unscrewing it back toward the bracket. The front lens holder can now be turned in and out to
focus. When focus is reached, lock it in position with the locking ring.
Choose a distant object that is at least 500 yards away and point the telescope at the object.
Adjust the telescope so that the object is in the center of the view in your eyepiece. Check the
finderscope to see if the object is also centered on the crosshairs.
For 5x24 and 6x24 finderscopes: use three adjustment screws to center the finderscope crosshairs
on the object. For 6x30 finderscopes: adjust two windage screws
Red dot finder
The red dot finder is a zero magnification pointing tool that uses a coated glass window to
superimpose the image of a small red dot onto the night sky. The red dot finder is equipped with a
variable brightness control, azimuth adjustment knob, and altitude adjustment knob. The finder is
powered by a 3-volt lithium battery located underneath at the front. To use the red dot finder,
simply look through the sight tube and move your telescope until the red dot overlaps the object.
Make sure to keep both eyes open when sighting.
Operating the telescope

Like all finderscopes, the red dot finder must be properly aligned with the telescope before use.
This is a simple process using the azimuth and altitude adjustment knobs.
Open the battery compartment by pulling down the cover and remove the plastic shipping cover
over the battery.
Turn on the red dot finder by rotating the variable brightness control clockwise until you hear a
click. Continue rotating the control knob to increase the brightness level.
Insert a low power eyepiece into the focuser. Locate a bright object and aim the telescope so that
the object is in the center of the field of view.
With both eyes open, look through the sight tube at the object. If the red dot overlaps the object,
your red dot finder is perfectly aligned. If not, turn its azimuth and altitude adjustment knob until
the red dot overlaps the object.
A telescope should be balanced before each observing session. Balancing reduces stress on the
telescope mount and allows precise slow-motion movements. A balanced telescope is especially
crucial when using the optional clock drive for astrophotography. The telescope should be
balanced after all accessories (eyepiece, camera, etc.) have been attached. Before balancing your
telescope, make sure that your tripod is balanced and on a stable surface. For photography, point
the telescope in the direction you will be taking photos before performing the balancing steps.
R.A. balancing
For best results, adjust the altitude of the mount to between 15º and 30º if possible, by using the
altitude adjustment T-bolt.
Slowly unlock the R.A. and Dec. lock knobs. Rotate the telescope until both the optical tube and
the counterweight rod are horizontal to the ground, and the telescope tube is to the side of the
mount.
Tighten the Dec. lock knob.
Move the counterweights along the counterweight rod until the telescope is balanced and remains
stationary when released.
Tighten the counterweight screws to secure the counterweights.
Balancing the telescope
Altitude adjustment knob
Brightness control
Azimuth adjustment knob
Scope
Battery compartment cover

Dec. balancing
All accessories should be attached to the telescope before balancing around the declination axis.
The R.A. balancing should be done before proceeding with Dec. balancing.
For best results, adjust the altitude of the mount to between 60º and 75º if possible.
Release the R.A. lock knob and rotate around the R.A. axis so that the counterweight rod is in a
horizontal position. Tighten the R.A. lock knob.
Unlock the Dec. lock knob and rotate the telescope tube until it is parallel to the ground.
Slowly release the telescope and determine in which direction it rotates. Loosen the telescope
ring clamps and slide the telescope tube forward or backward between the rings until it is
balanced.
Once the telescope no longer rotates from its parallel starting position, retighten the tube rings
and the Dec. lock knob. Reset the altitude axis to your local latitude.
The mount has controls for both conventional altitude (up-down) and azimuth (left-right)
directions of motion. These two adjustments are suggested for large direction changes and for
terrestrial viewing. To adjust azimuth, loosen the big knob under the mount base and rotate the
mount head about the azimuth axis. Use the altitude adjustment T-bolts to set the required
altitude.
In addition, the mount has R.A. (hour angle) and Dec. controls for polar-aligned astronomical
observing. Loosen the lock knobs to make large direction changes. Use the slow-motion controls
for fine adjustment after the lock knobs have both been locked. An additional scale is included
for the altitude axis. This allows polar alignment at your local latitude.
Operating the mount
R.A. scale
Dec. adjustment
R.A. adjustment
R.A. fine adjustment Dec. fine adjustment
Altitude adjustment
(up-down)
Azimuth adjustment (left-right)
R.A. adjustment

Barlow lens
A Barlow lens increases the magnifying power of an eyepiece, while reducing the field of view. It
expands the cone of the focused light before it reaches the focal point, so that the telescope's
focal length appears longer to the eyepiece. In addition to increasing magnification, the benefits
of using a Barlow lens include improved eye relief, and reduced spherical aberration of the
eyepiece. For this reason, a Barlow plus a lens often outperform a single lens producing the same
magnification. And the best advantage is that a Barlow lens can potentially double the number of
eyepieces in your collection.
Slowly rotate the focus knobs under the focuser one way or the
other until the image in the eyepiece is sharp. The image usually
has to be finely refocused over time, due to small variations
caused by temperature changes, flexures, etc. This often
happens with short focal ratio telescopes, particularly when they
haven't yet reached outside temperature. Refocusing is almost
always necessary when you change an eyepiece, add or remove a
Barlow lens.
In order for your telescope to track objects in the sky you have to align your mount. This means
tilting the head over so that it points to the North (or South) celestial pole. For people in the
Northern Hemisphere this is rather easy as the bright star Polaris is very near the North Celestial
Pole. For casual observing, rough polar alignment is adequate. Make sure your equatorial mount is
leveled and the finderscope is aligned with the telescope before beginning.
Eyepiece
Barlow lens
Diagonal mirror
Barlow lens
Focusing
Polar adjustment

Look up your latitude on a map, road maps are good for this
purpose. Now look at the side of your mount head, there
you will see a scale running from 0 to 90°. Loosen the
mount latch slightly rotating the lock handle
counterclockwise. A thumbscrew located underneath the
mount head pushes the latch plate, thus changing the
angle. Turn the screw until the pointer on the latitude scale
is set at the latitude of your observation site.
0
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
Loosen the Dec. lock knob and rotate the telescope tube
until the pointer on the setting circle reads 90°. Retighten
the Dec. lock knob. Loosen the azimuth lock knob and move
the mount so that the R.A. axis points roughly at Polaris. Use
the two azimuth adjustment knobs above the "N" to make
fine adjustments in azimuth if needed. For more accurate
alignment, look through the finderscope and center the
Polaris on the crosshairs using the azimuth and latitude
adjustment knobs.
After a while you will notice your target drifting slowly North
or South depending on the direction of the pole relative to
Polaris. To keep the target in the center of the view, turn
only the R.A. slow-motion control.
After your telescope is polar aligned, no further adjustments
in the azimuth and latitude of the mount should be made in
the observing session, nor should you move the tripod. Only
movements in R.A. and DEC axis should be made in order to
keep an object in the field.
In the Southern Hemisphere you must align the mount to the SCP by locating its position with star
patterns, without the convenience of a nearby bright star. The closest star is the faint 5.5-mag.
Sigma Octantis which is about one degree away. Two sets of pointers which help to locate the SCP
are α and β Crucis (in the Southern Cross) and a pointer running at a right angle to a line
connecting α and β Centauri.
+
Cassiopeia
Polaris
Ursa Major
Ursa Minor

When observing through a telescope, astronomical objects appear to move slowly through the
telescope's field of view. When the mount is correctly polar aligned, you only need to turn the
R.A. slow-motion control to follow or track objects as they move through the field. A R.A. motor
drive can be added to automatically track celestial objects by counteracting the rotation of Earth.
The rotation speed of the R.A. drive matches the rotation rate of Earth for stars to appear
stationary in the telescope eyepiece. Different tracking speeds are also available in some models.
A second drive can be added to give Dec. control which is very useful for astrophotography.
The quickest way to find objects is to learn the constellations and use the finderscope, but if the
object is too faint you may want to use setting circles on an equatorial mount. Setting circles
allow you to locate celestial objects whose celestial coordinates have been determined from star
charts. Your telescope must be Polar aligned and the R.A. setting circle must be calibrated before
using the setting circles. The Dec. setting circle was calibrated at the factory and no additional
calibration is required for it.
The telescope's R.A. setting circle is scaled in hours, from 1 to 24, with small lines in between
representing 10 minute increments. The upper set of numbers applies to observations in the
Northern Hemisphere, while the numbers below them apply to observations in the Southern
Hemisphere.
Tracking celestial objects
Setting (calibrating) the R.A. setting circle
In order to set your Right Ascension circle you must first find a star in your field of view with
known coordinates. A good one would be the 0.0 magnitude star Vega in the Constellation Lyra.
From a star chart we know the R.A. coordinate of Vega is 18h 36m.
Loosen the R.A. and DEC. lock knobs on the mount and adjust the telescope so that Vega is
centered in the field of view of the eyepiece. Tighten the R.A. and DEC. lock knobs to lock the
mount in place. Now rotate the R.A. setting circle until it reads 18h36m. You are now ready to use
the setting circles to find objects in the sky.
R.A. adjustment
R.A. settling circle
Arrow

Example: Finding the faint planetary nebula M57; "The Ring”
From a star chart, we know the coordinates of the Ring are Dec. 33º and R.A. 18h52m. Unlock the
Dec. lock knob and rotate your telescope in Dec. until the pointer on the Dec. setting circle reads
33º. Re-tighten the Dec. lock knob.
Loosen the R.A. lock knob and rotate the telescope in R.A. until the pointer on the R.A. setting
circle reads 18h52m (do not move the R.A. circle). Re-tighten the R.A. lock knob. Now look
through the finderscope to see if you have found M57. Adjust the telescope with R.A. and Dec.
slow-motion controls until M57 is centered in the finderscope. Now look through the telescope
using a low power eyepiece. Center M57 in the field of view of the eyepiece.
The setting circles will get you close to the object you wish to observe, but are not accurate
enough to put it in the center of your red dot finder's field of view. The accuracy of your setting
circles also depends on how accurately your telescope is polar aligned.
Right
Ascension Declination
Object you
are viewing
Polaris
Mount aligned on
North Celestial Pole
Latitude
Plane of local horizon
Plane of Celestial
Equator
Apparent
movement
of stars
Zenith
Meridian
Line
Nadir

A German Equatorial mount has an adjustment, sometimes called a wedge, which tilts the
mount's polar axis so that it points at the appropriate Celestial Pole (NCP or SCP). Once the mount
has been polar aligned, it needs to be rotated around the polar axis only to keep an object
centered. Do not reposition the mount base or change the latitude setting. The mount has already
been correctly aligned for your geographical location (i.e. Latitude), and all remaining telescope
pointing is done by rotating the telescope tube around the polar (R.A.) and declination axes.
A problem for many beginners is recognizing that a
polar-aligned, equatorial mount acts like an alt-azimuth
mount which has been aligned to a celestial pole. The
wedge tilts the mount to an angle equal to the
observer's Latitude, and therefore it swivels around a
plane which is parallel to the celestial (and Earth's)
equator. This is now its "horizon"; but remember that
part of the new horizon is usually blocked by Earth.
This new "azimuth" motion is called Right Ascension
(R.A.). In addition, the mount swivels North (+) and
South (-) from the Celestial Equator towards the
celestial poles. This plus or minus "altitude" from the
celestial equator is called Declination (Dec.).
Now, consider pointing the telescope to the western or
eastern horizon. If the counterweight is pointing North,
the telescope can be swiveled from one horizon to the
other around the Dec. axis in an arc that passes through
the NCP (any Dec. arc will pass through the NCP if the
mount is polar-aligned). It can be seen then that if the
optical tube needs to be pointed at an object north or
south of this arc, it has to be also rotated around the
R.A. axis.
Pointing in any direction other than due North requires
a combination of R.A. and Dec. positions. This can be
visualized as a series of Dec. arcs, each resulting from
the position of rotation around the R.A. axis. In
practice however, the telescope is usually pointed, with
the aid of a finderscope, by loosening both the R.A. and
Dec. locks and swiveling the mount around both axes
until the object is centered in the eyepiece. The
swiveling is best done by placing one hand on the
telescope tube and the other on the counterweight rod,
so that the movement around both axes is smooth, and
no extra lateral force is applied to the axis-bearings.
When the object is centered, make sure the R.A. and
Dec. locks are both retightened to hold the object in
the field of view and allow tracking by adjusting R.A.
only.
Celestial Pole
Pointing your telescope