SKY-WATCHER 1501EQ3-2 User manual

1
FOR 1501EQ3-2
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Optical Tube: 150mm/1000mm Equatorial Mount: EQ3-2
A
B
CDE
F
G
H
I
1
5
6
7
a
b
2
4
3
8
9
10 A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
Dust Cap (not shown)
Remove before Viewing
Focus Tube
Finderscope
Finderscope Bracket
Finderscope Adjustment
Screws
Eyepiece
Focus Knob
Piggyback Bracket
Telescope Main Body
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Dec. Control Cable
R.A. Lock Level
Polarscope Holder
(not shown)
Altitude Adjustment T-bolts
Counterweight Rod
Counterweight
Counterweight Thumb
Screw
Azimuth Adjustment Knob
Dec. Lock Level
Tube Rings
a.
b. 
Accessory Tray
Tripod Leg

Assembling Your Telescope
Aligning the Finderscope
Balancing Telescope
Using the Equatorial Mount (EQ3-2)
Using the Oculars
Proper Care for Your Telescope
Operating Your Telescope
Tripod Set up
Telescope Assembly
Finderscope Assembly
Eyepiece Assembly
Suggested Reading
3
5
3
3
4
4
5
5
6
6
6
7
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Follow the instructions for your specific
model in the manual. Read the entire instructions
carefully before beginning. Your telesope should
be assembled during daylight hours. Choose a
large, open area to work to allow room for all
parts to be unpackaged.
Before you begin
If you are interested in submitting telephotographs taken with
Sky-Watcher telescopes, or articles concerning any Sky-Watcher
products, please call us at 604-241-7027.
Canada: 604-270-2813
between 9:00AM and 3:00PM PST
Outside Canada: Please contact your dealer for
technical support.
Technical Support
Never use your telescope to look directly at the sun.
Permanent eye damage will result. Use a proper solar
filter for viewing the sun. When observing the sun,
place a dust cap over your finderscope to protect it
from exposure. Never use an eyepiece-type solar filter
and never use your telescope to project sunlight onto
another surface, the internal heat build-up will damage
the telescope optical elements.
Caution!
 
2
Technical Specifications
 
Optical Design
Diameter
Focal Length
f/ratio
Highest Practical
Power
Fainest Steller
Magnitude
Resolving Power
(arc sec.)
Finderscope
Focuser Diameters
Mount Type
Slow Motion
Control
Accessory Tray
Tripod
Tube Dimensions
Tripod Height
Total Net Weight
Shipping Weight
Catadioptric-Newtonian
150mm
1000mm
f/6.7
300x
13.6
0.8
6x30
1.25"
Equatorial
RA & DEC
Large
Aluminum
19cm x 53cm
71-123cm
21kgs
27kgs

TRIPOD
SET UP
TELESCOPE
ASSEMBLY
3
INSTALLING ACCESSORY TRAY (3)
1) Locate tripod leg brace.
2) Use the screws already attached to the
hinges to mount the tray platform.
3) Secure the accessory tray on top of the
tray platform using the thumbscrews
already attached.
SETTING UP TRIPOD
(1), (2)
1) Locate equatorial mount/tripod head.
2) Locate and loosen the knurled knob at bottom
of the mount to seperate the tripod head.
3) Lie tripod head on its side. Fasten the tripod
legs to tripod head using the machine screws.
Use the screwdriver provided and do not
over-tighten the fasteners.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Note: Loosen the azimuthal adjustment knobs if mount does not
fit into tripod head completely. Retighten knobs to secure.
ATTACHING MOUNT TO TRIPOD (4)
1) Stand tripod upright.
2) Align metal dowel on the tripod head with the gap between the
azimuthal adjustment knobs underneath the mount. Tighten
the knurled knob underneath the tripod head to secure mount
to tripod.
INSTALLING COUNTERWEIGHT (5), (6)
1) Locate counterweight rod.
2) Screw counterweight rod into threaded on the
end of the declination shaft. Tighten locknut
on counterweight rod until it is locked against
the mount.
3) Unscrew the threaded cap from the
end of the counterweight rod.
4) Locate counterweights and slide them
halfway along counterweight rod. Tighten
counterweight thumbs to secure.
5) Replace cap on the end of
counterweight rod.
6.
5.
INSTALLING CONTROL CABLES (7)
1) Slide the sleeve end of the cable over the
nipple on the end of the worm gear. Tighten
the cable using the set screw against the flat
surface on the nipple.
7.

TELESCOPE
ASSEMBLY
FINDERSCOPE
A ASSEMBLY
EYEPIECE
A ASSEMBLY
4
ATTACHING THE TELESCOPE
MAIN TUBE TO TUBE RINGS (9)
1) Remove the telescope tube from the
paper covering.
2) Find the center of balance of the telescope tube.
Place this in between the two tube rings. Close
the hinges around the telescope and fasten
securely by tightening the thumb nuts.
ATTACHING THE TUBE RINGS TO MOUNT(8)
1) Remove the telescope tube assembly
from its plastic packaging.
2) Remove the tube rings from telescope by
releasing their thumb nuts and opening their hinges.
3) Using the bolts provided, fasten the tube rings to
the mount with the 10mm wench provided.
8.
9.
ATTACHING THE FINDERSCOPE BRACKET (10)
1) Locate finderscope optical assembly.
2) Slide finderscope bracket into the rectancular slot
and tightened screw to hold mount in place.
10.
INSERTING EYEPIECE
(11), (12)
1) Unscrew the thumbscrews on the end of the
focus tube to remove the black plastic end-cap.
2) Re-tighten thumb screws to hold
eyepieces in place.
12.
11.

5
A
ligning
 
the Finderscope
1) Focus the telescope eyepiece on a distant object.
2) Once the object has been centered in the tele-
scope view, ensure all the lock knobs on the
mount are tightened.
3) Use the alignment screws to center the finder-
scope crosshairs on the object seen in the
telescope view (Fig.a).
OPERATING YOUR TELESCOPE
B
alancing
 
telescope
U
sing
 the leveling bubble
Telescope should be balanced before each observing session. Balancing reduces stress on telescope mount
and allows precise control of micro-adjustement. A balanced telescope is specially critical when using the
optional clock drive for astrophotography.
The telescope should be balanced after all acessories (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 preforming the balancing steps.
R.A. Balancing
1) Adjust altitude of the mount to between 15º and 30º by
using the altitude adjustment T-bolt.
2) Slowly unlock the R.A. and Dec thumbscrews. Rotate
the telescope unitl both the optical tube and counterweight
rod is horizontal to the ground, and the telescope tube is
to the side of the mount (Fig.b).
3) Tighten the Dec. thumbscrew.
4) Move counterweight along counterweight rod until tele-
scope is balanced and remains stationary when released.
5) Tighten set screws to hold counterweights in their new
position.
Dec. Balancing
All accessories should be attached to the telescope before commencing with balancing the declination axis.
The R.A. axis should be balanced before proceeding with dec. balancing.
1) Adjust altitude of the mount to between 60º and 75º.
2) Release the R.A. thumbscrew and rotate R.A. axis so that the counterweight rod is in horizontal position.
Tighten the R.A. thumbscrew.
3) Unlock the Dec. thumbscrew and rotate telescope tube until it is paralled to the ground.
4) Slowly release telescope and determine which direction the telescope rotates. Loosen telescope tube
clamps and slide telescope tube forward or backward in the clamps to balance dec. axis.
5) Once telescope no longer rotates from its parallel starting position, re-tighten tube clamps and the Dec.
thumbscrew. Reset altitude axis to your local latitude.
Depending on telescope design, the object may appear
inverted in the telescope view.
Do not over-tighten the alignment screws.
For best telescope performance, the equatorial mount should be properly
leveled. A level tripod allows easier fine adjustment of controls and better
weight distribution.
This equatorial mount includes a small leveling bubble near its base (Fig.c).
Adjust the height of each tripod leg until the bubble appears in the center
of the circle. Note that the tripod legs may not be at same length when the
equatorial mount is level.
Leveling bubble
Fig.a
Fig.b
Fig.c
N

6
OPERATING YOUR TELESCOPE
To magnify images in the telescope, you need to insert an eyepiece (ocular) into the end of the focuser
assembly. Insert the desired eyepiece and lightly tighten the thumbscrews to hold the eyepiece in place.
Barlow lens can be used to increase magnification of the eyepiece. Install the barlow lense directly into
the end of the focuser, then insert the eyepiece into the barlow lense. (Fig.h)
To locate an object in the eyepiece, first locate the object in the
finderscope view. The finderscope allows magnification of a
larger area than the higher power telescope view. Finderscope
should be aligned during daytime before use.
The focus knobs at the base of the focuser uses a rack-and-pinion
system to focus the magnified images seen through the telescope.
Turn the knobs slowly until the objects are in focus.
Using the oculars
Replace the dust cap over end of telescope whenever not in use. This prevents dust from settling on mirror
or lens surface. Do not clean mirror or lens unless you are familiar with optical surfaces. Clean finderscope
and eyepieces with special lens paper only. Cleaning and aligning of optical elements should be preformed
by an experienced technician every two years. Eyepieces should be handled with care, avoid touching
optical surfaces.
Telescopes require about 30 minutes to equalize with surrounding temperature and humidity. This minimizes
heat wave distortion inside telescope tube and allows telescope to adapt to ambient moisture conditions.
Proper care for your telescope
Fig.h
U
sing
 
the EQ3-2 mount
The equatorial mount has controls for both conventional altitude
(up-down) and azimuthal (left-right) directions of motion. Use the
altitude adjustment T-bolts for altitude adjustments. These allow
fine-adjustment for setting the mount to your local latitude. The
azimuthal axis is changed by the two azimuth adjustment knobs
located near the tripod head. These allow fine-adjustment of
azimuth for polar aligning. For large azimuth direction change,
lift up and rotate the tripod (Fig.d).
In addition, this mount has direction controls for polar-aligned
astronomical observing. These directions use right ascension
(east/west) and declination (north/south) axis. There are two
options to move the telescope in these directions: For large
and quick movement, loosen the R.A.lock level under the R.A.
shaft or the Dec. lock level near the top of the mount. For fine
adjustments, use the control cable/nob near each axis (Fig.e).
There are three numerical scales on this mount. The lower
scale is for the altitude axis and is used for polar-alignment
of the telescope to your local latitude (Fig.f). The R.A. (right
ascension) vernier scale is measures hour angle and is
adjustable to your local meridian. The declination scale is
located near the top of the mount (Fig.g).
The tripod can be separated from the mount and telescope
by unscrewing the large knob underneath the tripod head.
Altitude
adjustment
Azimuth
adjustment
Fig.d
R.A. scale
Dec. scale
Fig.g
Fig.f
0102030
40
50
60
70
80
90
Latitude scale
Fig.e Dec. fine
adjustment
R.A. fine
adjustment
R.A. adjustment
Dec.
adjustment
Barlow
Eyepiece

7
A
mateur Astronomy
 
A
strophotography
 
Beginner's Guide to Amateur Astronomy:
An Owner's Manual for the Night Sky by David J.
Eicher and, Michael Emmerich (Kalmbach Publishing
Co., Books Division, Waukesha, WI, 1993).
NightWatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the
Universe by Terence Dickinson, (Firefly Books,
Willowdale, ON, Canada, 3rd edition, 1999).
Star Ware: The Amateur Astronomer's Ultimate
Guide to Choosing, Buying, and Using Telescopes
and Accessories by Philip S. Harrington (John Wiley
& Sons, New York, 1998 ).
The Backyard Astronomer's Guide by Terence
Dickinson and Alan Dyer (Firefly Books Ltd.,
Willowdale, ON, Canada, revised edition, 1994).
The Beginner's Observing Guide: An Introduction
to the Night Sky for the Novice Stargazer by Leo
Enright, (The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada,
Toronto, ON, Canada, 1999).
The Deep Sky: An Introduction by Philip S.
Harrington (Sky Publishing Corporation, Cambridge,
MA, Sky & Telescope Observer's Guides Series, ed.
Leif J. Robinson, 1997).
The Universe from Your Backyard: A Guide to
Deep Sky Objects by David J. Eicher (Kalmbach
Publishing Co., Books Division, Waukesha, WI, 1988).
Turn Left at Orion: A Hundred Night Sky
Objects to See in a Small Telescope--and how
to Find Them by Guy J. Consolmagno and Dan M.
Davis, (Cambridge University Press, New York, 3rd
edition, 2000)
A Manual Of Advanced Celestial Photography by
Brad D. Wallis and Robert W. Provin (Cambridge
University Press; New York; 1984)
Astrophotography An Introduction by H.J.P. Arnold
(Sky Publishing Corp., Cambridge, MA,Sky & Telescope
Observer's Guides Series, ed. Leif J. Robinson, 1995).
O
bservational References
M
agazines
Astrophotography for the Amateur
by Michael Covington (Cambridge University Press,
Cambridge, UK, 2nd edition,1999).
Splendors of the Universe: A Practical Guide to
Photographing the Night Sky by Terence Dickinson
and Jack Newton (Firefly Books, Willowdale, ON,
Canada, 1997)
Wide-Field Astrophotography by Robert Reeves
(Willmann-Bell, Inc., Richmond, VA, 2000).
A Field Guide to the Stars and Planets by Jay M.
Pasachoff, (Houghton Mifflin Company, 1999).
Atlas of the Moon by Antonín Rükl (Kalmbach
Publishing Co., Books Division, Waukesha, WI, 1993).
Burnham's Celestial Handbook: An Observer's
Guide to the Universe Beyond the Solar System
by Robert Burnham (Dover Publications, New York;
3- volume set, 1978).
Observer's Handbook by The Royal Astronomical
Society of Canada, (University of Toronto Press,
Toronto, ON, Canada, published annually).
Sky Atlas 2000.0 by Wil Tirion and Roger W. Sinnott
(Sky Publishing Corp., Cambridge, MA, 2nd edition,
1998)
Astronomy Magazine (Kalmbach Publishing Co.,
Waukesha, WI)
Sky & Telescope Magazine (Sky Publishing Corp.,
Cambridge, MA)
SkyNews Magazine: The Canadian Magazine
of Astronomy & Stargazing (SkyNews Inc., Yarker,
ON, Canada)
SUGGESTED READING