NPZ TAL-150K User manual

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TAL TELESCOPES
TAL-150K
TAL-200K
TAL-250K
INSTRUCTION MANUAL

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Novosibirsk Instrument-making plant, FSUE PA
D. Kovalchuk 179/2 Novosibirsk,
630049 RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Fax [phone]
[email protected];
www.npzoptics.com

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Page
General instructions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Technical specications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Inventory list . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Construction of the telescope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Preparing telescope for observations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Assembling the telescope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Balancing the telescope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
 Aligningthenderscope............................14
 Powersupplyandhandcontroller.....................15
Polar alignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Calibrating the setting circles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Observations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Visual observations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Astrophotography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Collimation (alignment) of the optics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Acceptance certicate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
 AppendixA:Brighteststarsvisible
in the Northern Hemisphere . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 28
Due to continuous product improvements, specications are
subject to change without notice.
TABLE OF CONTENTS

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GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
Warning!
Never observe the Sun directly through your telescope or its
nder scope - permanent eye damage could result.
Do not let children hold observations through telescope without
adult’s control.
The telescope is designed for visual observations of celestial
objects and for astronomical photography. It requires careful
treatmentandsomeknowledgeofastronomy.Onlyinthiscase
theuseoftelescopewillbringsatisfactiontoitsowner.
Thetelescopemaybeusedatanambienttemperatureranging
from30°to-30°C.
When buying the telescope inspect the package to make sure
thatthe originalpackagingisingoodcondition,andsealsare
notbrokenormissing.Havingopenedthepackage,checkthe
presenceofallcomponentsdescribedininventorylist.
Readinstructionmanualrstbeforeusingthetelescope.
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250
2130
1:8.5
85; 170;
213; 426
0.5’’
14.0m
8
50
1.25’’; 2’’
360°
(24h)
±90°
0….70°
220
50
5
12 DC
660
1450
15.0
45
Specication TAL-150K TAL-200K
Aperture, mm
Focal length, mm
Focal ratio
Telescope magnication, x
Resolving power
Limiting visual magnitude
Finderscope magnication, x
Finderscope aperture, mm
Focuser
Right ascension turning angle
Declination turning angle
Latitude adjustment range
Input voltage V AC
Frequency, Hz
Power, Watts
Output voltage, V
Dimensions, mm:
OTA* length
Telescope height
OTA weight, kg
Telescope weight, kg
150
1550
1:10.3
62;124;
155;310
0.8’’
12.8m
6
30
1.25’’
360°
(24h)
±90°
0….70°
220
50
5
12 DC
425
1350
6.2
25
TAL-250K
200
1700
1:8.5
68; 136;
170; 340
0.6’’
13.4m
8
50
1.25’’
360°
(24h)
±90°
0…70°
220
50
5
12 DC
450
1400
8.5
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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
*Optical Tube Assembly

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INVENTORY LIST
Component
Telescope
Finderscope:
6Xx30
9Xx50
Polar axis nderscope 6xx23
Equatorial mount:
MT-3Swithcounterweights:
3.0 kg (1 unit)
3.0 kg (2 units)
4.5 kg (1 unit)
Pier with legs:
C75 (800 mm)
C110 (770 mm)
Power supply
Hand controller
Power cord (10 m)
Spare parts and accessories:
Plossleyepiecef’=10mm
Plossleyepiecef’=25mm
2x Barlow lens
Reticle
Plugforphotographing
T-adapterM42x0.75
Instruction manual
Optional accessories:
Equatorial mount:
MT-3S-2Dwithcounterweights:
3.0 kg (1 unit)
3.0 kg (2 units)
4.5 kg (1 unit)
Tripod
Plossleyepieces(1.25’’):
f’=6.3mm
f’=7.5mm
f’=12.5mm
f’=17mm
f’=20mm
f’=32mm
f’=40mm
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TAL-150K TAL-200K TAL-250K
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Superwideangleeyepieces(1.25’’):
f’=10mm(60°)
f’=15mm(65°)
f’=20mm(65°)
Ultrawideangleeyepieces(80°):
f’=15mm(1.25’’)
f’=20mm(2’’)
f’=24mm(2’’)
f’=25mm(2’’)
3x Barlow lens
Guideeyepieces12.5mm(1.25’’)
Off-axisguider(2’’)
ColorltersM28.5x0.6:
black
neutral
yellow
blue
red
green
ColorltersM48x0.75:
black
neutral
yellow
blue
red
green
Plug 1.25’’
Plug 2’’
Powercordextension
cablewithcaradapter(10m)
Component
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TAL-150K TAL-200K TAL-250K
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CONSTRUCTION OF THE TELESCOPE
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The telescope consists of three
mainparts:opticaltubeassembly
(OTA)(1),germanequatorialmount
(2),apierortripod(3).
The optical tube is a basic component
ofthetelescope.Itincludesallmain
optical units such as a primary mirror,
acorrectorandaneyepieceunitwith
focusingmechanism.
ACatadioptricTelescope(Klevtsov
System):beamsofrays,reected
from the primary mirror (1), pass
through the corrector lenses (2)
and(3)andhavingreectedfrom
thesmoothsurfaceofthelens(3),
gobackthroughcorrector,forming
theobject’simageatthefocalplane
oftheeyepiece(4).
Forcomfortobservationsofcelestial
objects close to zenith, eyepiece
unitisinclinedon90°relativelyto
theopticalaxisofthetelescopewith
helpofatdiagonalmirror(5).
A standard set includes two
eyepiecesandaBarlowlens,which
allow observing celestial objects
withvariousrateofmagnication.
The OTA supplied with a nder-
scope,makessearchingforceles-
tial objects easier.
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9
Mirrors’ effective areas are
covered with high reflection
aluminum coatings with protective
level.
Alllensessurfacesarecovered
withantireectingcoating.
The eyepiece unit includes a
focuserwithaneyepiecetube.
Focuser consists of rack and
pinion.Thepinionaxishasfocus
knobs, which help move the
eyepiecetubeinordertofocus
telescope.
To provide the smoothness
of TAL-150K and TAL-200K
telescopes focusers, hold the
leftfocusknob(1)withonehand
andturntherightfocusknob(2)
clockwise(withalittleeffort)with
otherhand.
Fix the position of the focuser,
if necessary, using the same
procedure.
The lens-focusing mechanism
of TAL-200K and TAL-250K
hasfriction-type.Itincludesthe
axiswith the handweel (1)with
the help of which moves the
eyepiece tube. The smoothness
ofthe tube isadjusted with the
helpofthescrew(2).Thescrew
(3) is used to x the eyepiece
tube in a chosen position.
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10
The equatorial mount is designed
for pointing the telescope at the
celestial objects and tracking their
movement.
MT-3S (MT-3S-2D)mountconsistsof
twoaxessquarewitheachother:the
polaraxisandtheaxisofdeclination.
There is a mounting plate with OTA
ringsonthetoppointofthedeclination
axis,andacounter-weightshaftwith
counter-weightsontheotherside.
Itispossibletoplacealltypesofthe
mountsonapierortripod.
The mount head has a clock drive
embedded, which enables tracking
ofcelestialobjectswithuserdened
speed.
Thespeedissetbyahandcontroller
andhasthreetrackingrates:solar,
lunar and stellar, as well as two
additionalcorrectionspeeds-acce-
leration and deceleration at 50%.
Hand controller has a night light
lamp.
Fortherstsight-inontheobject,
loosen the telescope’s Dec. and
R.A.locks(2)andmovethe
telescope to center an object in the
eldofview.
Thenealignmentisdonebymanual
Dec. slow-motion controls (2) on
Dec. axis, and R.A. slow-motion
controls (3) embedded into the
clockdrive.
Thepolaraxishasembeddedpolar
axisnderscope(optional)(5)and
isxedinatripod(pier)mounting
headwithalatitudedial.
Mount MT-3S-2D has a
drive according to the axis of
declination.
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11
The pier serves for holding an
equatorial mount with an OTA.
It consists of the tube and three
attachable legs.
The tripod can be better used
on a rugged terrain. For comfort
observing it is equipped with an
accessoryshelf(1).

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PREPARING TELESCOPE FOR
OBSERVATIONS
ASSEMBLING THE TELESCOPE
Takeapier(1)andlegs(2)outof
the package. Attach tightly three
legstothebottompointofthepier
using the captive screws. The pier
must not swing on the legs.
Place the pier on a firm plain
surface.Thepinshouldbeorien-
tedtotheNorth.
Take the equatorial mount and
place it on the top of the pier.
Check the pin (3) to be on the
pier lines up with the azimuth
adjustmentknobs(2).
Turnthehandle(1)clockwiseto
xthemountonthepiertightly.
Make sure there is no wobbling
ofthemountonthepier.
Thread the counterweight shaft
(2)intothebaseoftheDeclination
axis(6)oftheequatorialmountand
xitwiththelock-nut(5).Unscrew
the safety washer/knob (1) and
slidethecounterweight(3)tothe
midpoint on the counterweight
shaftandsecureitinplacewith
the lock knob (4). Screw back in
thesafetywasher/knob(1),which
willnotlettheweightslideentirely
off the counterweight shaft if
slipped.
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13
Takethe OTAaccuratelyfromthe
packing, place it on the mounting
plate(1)andxtheOTAby
captive screws (2).
Certainofthesecurityofattachment.
Placethenderscopebracket(1)in
thewedgeslidesfor(TAL-200Kand
TAL-250K telescopes). TAL-150K
telescope has nderscope bracket
mounteddirectlyontheOTA.Fixthe
nderscopewithsixthumbscrews(2).
Place the polar axis in the horizontal
position(0°onthelatitudedial),using
the width adjustment mechanism
(1) with the loosen slow-motion
control (2).
Enable unrestricted motion of the
polaraxiswithR.A.lockreleased.
Slide the counterweights along
the counterweight shaft until they
counterbalance the OTA.
Fix the polar axis.
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BALANCING THE TELESCOPE
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Toprovideasmoothmotionofthetelescopeandreliableoperationof
equatorialmountdrives,thebalancingofthetelescopesisrequired.

14
Now with Dec. lock released,
loosen the tube ring lock clamps
andslidetheOTAforwardorback
inthetuberingsuntilbalanced.
FixthetubeandtheDec.axis.
Repeat balancing each time when
placing additional accessories on
the telescopic tube, such as photo
and video cameras, eyepieces,
guides and other devices, which
enlarge the weight of the OTA.
Keepinmindthatifthetelescope
isnotbalancedproperly,theclock
driveperiodicerrorwillincrease.
Place the crosshair (2) into the
eyepiece f’=25mm (1) and then
inserttheeyepieceinthefocuser
tube (3).
Point the telescope at the distant
object (at least 400meters/yards
away), and then center it in the
teles-copiceldofviewusingthe
reticle. Fix telescope in this position
withtheR.A.andDec.locks.
ALIGNING THE FINDER SCOPE
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Highmagnicationofthemaintelescopemakesitdifculttonda
requiredcelestialobjectintheskybecauseofthesmalleldofview.
Thisiswhythetelescopeisequippedwithalow-powernderscope
withawideeldofview.Thenderscopemakesiteasiertolocate
theobjectyouwantandthentoobserveitintheeldofviewofthe
telescope.However,fortheproperuseofthenderscope,itmust
bealignedwiththemaintelescope,sothatboththenderscopeand
the telescope point at the same position in the sky.

15
Now, looking through the nder
scopeandusingthesixalignment
thumbscrews, center the object on
theintersectionofthecrosshairsof
thenderscope.Infuture,check
the coalignment of the telescope
andthenderscopepriortoobser-
vations.
Place the switch of the power
supply in the “0” position.
Connect the power supply 12V
output with the mount socket using
thepowercord.
Plug in the power supply into the
220/110 V AC power outlet.
Place the switch of the power
supply in the “l” position. The LED
lightonthepowersupplyshould
turn on.
Connecthandcontrollertothemount
withthespecialcutoffpoint(1).
POWER SUPPLY AND HAND CONTROLLER
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




Warning!
Always connect power supply to the mount using the power cord
with power supply disconnected from the power outlet.
Use only original manufacturer’s power supply fuse or analogue
(consult your dealer).
Always disconnect all the power, if replacing the power supply
fuse.

16
Pressoneofthespeedbuttons(1)
to start the clock drive. The LED
lightonthehandcontrollershould
turn on (2). Push the same button
againtostoptheclockdrive.
Press one of the two speed
correction buttons (3) while clock
driveisworking,ifnecessary.The
LED light on the hand controller
should blink (2) while button is
presseddown.
For mount MT-3S-2D launch the
clock drive by pushing the button
(2), at the same time the LED (1)
mustlightup.Thedriveswitchesoff
with pushing the button again.
Tocorrectthespeedofmonitoring
by two axes, push and hold one
of the corresponding buttons (3)
with continuously working drive,
at the same time the one of LED
ofcorrectingspeed(5)mustblink.
Choosethecorrectspeed(0.5;1;
4; 16) with the button (4).
If the telescope is used in the
Southernhemisphere,thedirection
oftheclockdriverotationmust
bechanged.
For MT-3S (MT-3S-2D) mount open
thehandcontrollercoverandplace
theinsideswitchwith«N/S»(North/
South) markings in the required
position.
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

17
Releasethelatitudelock(1).Using
latitudeadjustmentknob(2),move
R.A.axisupordowninordertoset
the latitude of your location (see
latitudedial).
Re-tightenthelatitudelock(1).
For visual observations point the
R.A.(polar)axisofthetelescope
towards Polaris (UMi). See the
picture.
Withthislevelofpointingaccuracy,
very little use of the Dec. slow-
motion control is necessary for
celestial objects tracking. Less
correctionisrequired,whenpolar
alignmentisdonemoreprecisely.
More precise polar alignment is
requiredforastrophotography.
MT-3S(MT-3S-2D)mountequipped
withapolaraxisnderscope(1),
forprecisepolaralignment,witha
reticle illumination. The reticle also
hasmajorstarsoftheUrsaMinor
constellation, including Polaris,
depicted for the Northern hemi-
sphere, and stars of the Octans
constellation for the southern
hemisphere.
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
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

POLAR ALIGNMENT
Due to the Earth’s rotation, celestial objects move in the telescope
eldofview(thehighertelescopemagnication-thefasterthose
movements appear).
Polaralignmentofthetelescopeallowsmorecomfortableobservations,
becauseyoucanfollowobjectsbymovingthetelescopeaboutone
axis, the polar axis (or Right Ascension (R.A.) axis), which is in parallel
with the Earth’s axis.
Polaris
Polar axis
Ursa Major
Axisof
Declinations

18
Matchstarsdepictedonthereticle
with the celestial objects in the sky,
using azimuth (2) and latitude (3)
adjustmentknobsandrotatingthe
polaraxisnder scopearoundits
axis.
Level the Dec. axis (put it in the
horizontalposition)andbyrotating
R.A. setting circle put it in a «0»
(zero) position (see picture).
For the Dec. setting circle calibration
ndbrightstarfromthestaratlas,
and bring selected object to the
centerofthetelescopiceldofview.
Rotating Dec. setting circle, set the
Declination of the star observed.
Correct Dec. setting circle calibra-
tion by selecting next star.
CALIBRATING THE SETTING CIRCLES
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

R.A.andDec.axeshavesettingcircles,whichenableobserverto
locateanobjectintheskybyitscelestialcoordinates–rightascension
(R.A.)andDeclination(Dec.).
Calibration of setting circles is done after polar alignment of the
telescope.

19
OBSERVATIONS
Point the telescope at any chosen
object, and do some coarse
adjustmentstoputitinthender
scopeeldofview.Thencenterthe
object using slow motion controls
–rstinthenderscopeandthen
in the main telescope field of
view, when observing through the
eyepiece.
Use focus knobs to focus, when
changing eyepieces.
Provided eyepieces give several
magnification options for an
observer.

VISUAL OBSERVATIONS
When using higher magnication not only the visible image size
appears larger in the telescope, but also blurring and distortion
of the image, star twinkle, caused by atmosphere become more
signicant.
To achieve maximum stability of the visible image and best
performanceofthetelescope,allpartsofthetelescopeneedtoreach
thermalequilibriumwiththeambientair.
Pleasenotethatsomenightscouldhavebadobservationconditions
becauseoftheatmosphericturbulence.EvenobservingneMoon
surfacedetailscanbedifcult.
Avoidobservationsthroughawindow,becauseofthewindowglass
aberrations,andtemperaturedifferencesbetweeninsideandoutside
air,whichwillcauseimagestolookblurredanddistorted.
Put a soft cover on the telescope and its power supply after
observations,ortoprotectitfromrain/snow.


20
Forhighermagnication,useBarlow
lenswithoneoftheeyepieces(see
picture). 2x Barlow lens doubles
magnicationofthetelescope.

TAL-150K
Plosslf’=25mm Plosslf’=10mm
62х155х
TAL-200K
Plosslf’=25mm Plosslf’=10mm
68х170х
TAL-250K
Plosslf’=25mm Plosslf’=10mm
85х213х
.. ..
..
..
..
..
TAL-150K
Plosslf’=25mm,
2xBarlow lens
Plosslf’=10mm,
2xBarlow lens
124х310х
TAL-200K
Plosslf’=25mm,
2xBarlow lens
Plosslf’=10mm,
2xBarlow lens
136х340х
TAL-250K
Plosslf’=25mm,
2xBarlow lens
Plosslf’=10mm,
2xBarlow lens
170х426х
..
..
..
..
..
..