TS Optics Starscope 609 User guide

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Starscope on equatorial mount Instruction manual
Assembly and instruction manual
Starscope telescopes
on equatorial mount

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Starscope 609
Megastar 1550Starscope 1507Starscope 1306
Starscope 1149Starscope 809Starscope 709
„Jupiter“
Starscope on equatorial mount Instruction manual
These instructions are valid
for the telescope models shown
in the illustration

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Starscope on equatorial mount Instruction manual
Thank you for choosing a quality product
from Teleskop-Service. With the purchase
of this telescope you are now entering the
fascinating world of hobby astronomy. With
our beginner’s set you can make your first
experiences in the sky and take a look into
the past of the universe.
In order to enjoy this optical instrument for a
long time, we ask you to read these instruc-
tions carefully. The setup is sometimes not
easy for beginners. Therefore we want to help
you with this description to unpack your new
telescope and to assemble it professionally.
Only then you will have a lot of fun observing
celestial objects. Further helpful steps for
finding celestial objects or also for the care
of your telescope can be found at the end of
this manual.
If you have any special questions, our staff
will be happy to assist you. Just write an
e-mail or call us and we will be glad to help
you.
First information
Never look at the sun with a telescope or
any other optical device. Permanent and
irreversible damage would be done to
your eyes, which could lead to blindness.
For solar observation, there are special
solar filters that are mounted in front of
the front lens of the telescope. Please also
consider the small finder scope, which
must also be covered or equipped with a
solar filter.
Do not use eyepiece solar filters, as they
may crack and cause you to lose your
eyesight.
Also, please do not use the telescope for
solar projection. The heat generated inside
may destroy the telescope/eyepiece.
Never leave the telescope unattended,
especially when children are around. They
could endanger themselves and others
through lack of knowledge.
Only use the telescope for the type of ob-
servation described in these instructions.
WARNING!

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Starscope on equatorial mount Instruction manual
Contents
Unpacking and checking the contents of the package..................................5
Assembly........................................................................................................7
Assembling the Tripod ...................................................................................8
Attaching the dew cap to the optical tube (refracting telescopes only).........9
Assembing the Mount and mounting the optical tube .................................10
Attaching the optical tube to the mount (Starscope 609) ............................14
Attaching the tube clamp to the mount (all models except Starscope 609) 15
Attaching the viewfinder telescope ..............................................................16
Adjusting the latitude....................................................................................17
Balancing telescope and mount...................................................................18
Aligning the viewfinder telescope.................................................................20
Polar Alignment ............................................................................................21
Using accessories on the eyepiece side ......................................................22
Highest and lowest useful magnification......................................................23
Observing with the telescope....................................................................... 24
Optional accessories....................................................................................25
Maintenance and cleaning ...........................................................................26
Observation examples..................................................................................27
Frequently asked questions ........................................................................28
Technical Data.............................................................................................. 29
Appendix: Models with preassembled tripod ..............................................31
Note: The pictures in this manual show different devices.

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Starscope on equatorial mount Instruction manual
Before starting the assembly, please check all
parts for their undamaged condition. Please
also check whether all parts are present.
If you are setting up a telescope for the first
time, please follow our assembly instructions
carefully, as incorrect assembly can result in
poor imaging of the optics or even damage to
them.
If, contrary to expectations, you should ever
notice damage to one of the parts when
unpacking or checking, please contact us
immediately before you finish assembling the
complete set.
Unpacking and checking the contents of the package
The outer packaging contains another box.
This contains the individually packed parts for
the telescope set.
Please unpack the individual parts conscien-
tiously and place everything carefully on the
floor.

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P
F
Q
J
KM
LI
N
O
H
E
A
B
D
C
G
S T U V
R
WX
Starscope on equatorial mount Instruction manual
A - Tripod legs
B - Optical Tube
(refacting telescope)
C - Dew cap
(refacting telescope only)
D - Optical Tube
(reflecting telescope)
E - Tube clamp(s)
(except Starscope 609)
F - Mount head
G - Latitude screw
H - Mount screw
I - Flexible shaft for
right ascension axis
J - Flexible shaft for
declination axis
K - Mount base
L - Counterweight rod
M - Screws/wing nuts
for tripod legs
N - Screws/wing nuts
for support plate
O - Locking screws
for tripod legs
P - Support plate
Q - Counterweight
R - Finder scope
S - Moon filter
T - Wing nuts for optical tube
(only Starscope 609)
U - Barlow lens
V - Erect lens
W - Eyepieces (2 oder 3,
depending on model)
X - Diagonal mirror
(refacting telescope only)
Not shown:
Screwdriver and Allen wrench
(except Starscope 609)

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Starscope on equatorial mount Instruction manual
Take the parts needed for this and place
them ready for mounting. You will need the
following parts for the mount:
• Mount base
• Tripod legs
• Screws for tripod leg clamping
• Screws with wing nuts
for the tripod leg mounting
• Storage plate for eyepieces
and accessories
• Screws with wing nuts
for the storage plate
Assembly

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Starscope on equatorial mount Instruction manual
When mounting the tripod
legs, make sure that the
three retaining plates for the
storage plate face inwards.
Then attach the tripod legs
to the mount head using the
three screws ‚M‘. You should
not tighten these screws too
much yet.
First screw the three screws ‚O‘ into the
threads of the tripod legs, but do not tighten
the screws too much, only „hand-tight“. You
can later use these three screws to change
the „working height“ of the tripod or to adjust
the tripod to an uneven floor.
Assembling the Tripod
Now fasten the storage
plate to the retaining plates
of the ripod legs using the
three screws (N). To do this,
insert the screws with a
washer from above into the
holes provided for this pur-
pose in the storage plate ...

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Starscope on equatorial mount Instruction manual
Now attach the storage pla-
te to the other two holding
plates.
Your AZ mount should now
be secure and stable and is
ready to receive the tele-
scope.
... and screw a wing nut
together with a washer onto
the screw from below. Do
not tighten the nut yet.
Then spread the three tripod
legs evenly and tighten the
three screws (M) on the
mount base hand-tight.
The dew cap protects the optics from dew. Mount the cap on the tube.
Attaching the dew cap to the optical tube (refracting telescopes only)

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Starscope on equatorial mount Instruction manual
Assembing the Mount and mounting the optical tube
You will need the parts in the order mentioned:
• Mount head
• Screw for mount head
• Latitude screw
• Counterweight rod
• Counterweight
• Flexible shafts
• Tube clamp (except Starscope 609)
• Optical Tube
• Wing nuts fot optical tube
(Starscope 609 only)
Parts for mounting the optical tube (all models except Starscope 609)
Parts for mounting the optical tube (Starscope 609)

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Starscope on equatorial mount Instruction manual
Attach the mount head so that the upper axis
(declination axis) is in line with a tripod leg.
This will make it easier for you to make the
polar alignment.
Now screw the latitude screw „G“ into the
thread provided for this purpose on the
mount. By means of this screw you can
adjust the pole height.
First spread the legs of the tripod for a secure
stand. Then place the mounting head on top
and secure it from below with screw „F“.
For the following steps, make sure that the
clamping screw of the pole block is tightened.

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Starscope on equatorial mount Instruction manual
Screw the counterweight rod into the mount.
Use the screwdriver to unscrew the locking
screw at the end of the counterweight rod.
Now loosen the locking screw of the counter-
weight, slide the weight onto the rod and lock
it with the locking screw.
Now reinsert the locking screw that prevents
the counterweight from slipping out.

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Starscope on equatorial mount Instruction manual
Next, attach the two flexible shafts to the
mount. Attach the short shaft ‚I‘ to the lower
axis (right ascension axis/RA axis). To do this,
remove the protective rubber cap from the
shaft axis of the mount.
Loosen the shaft clamping screw and slide
the shaft onto the axis so that the clamping
screw is on the flattened side of the axis.
Attach the long flexible shaft ‚J‘ to the upper
axis (declination axis/dec axis) in the same
way.

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Starscope on equatorial mount Instruction manual
If necessary, loosen the clamping screws of
the mountg axes, turn the axes so that the
two screws or screw holes in the mounting
surface for the tube are horizontal.
The telescope tube has two threaded bolts
for mounting on the mount head.
Place the optical tube on the mount head and
fasten it with the two wing nuts. Tighten the
screws only hand-tight.
When mounting, make sure that the rear end
of the telescope points in the same direction
as the flexible shaft of the declination axis.
Attaching the optical tube to the mount (Starscope 609)

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Starscope on equatorial mount Instruction manual
Using the enclosed Allen key, remove the
screws provided for fastening the tube
clamp(s).
Fasten the tube clamp(s) with the aforementi-
oned screws.
Attaching the tube clamp(s) to the mount (all models except Starscope 609)
Placing the tube in the tube clamp(s)
Place the optical tube in the tube clamp(s).
The end of the telescope with the focuser
must point in the same direction as the flexib-
le shaft of the declination axis.
Close the tube clamp(s) and tighten the togg-
le screw(s) until the tube can no longer be
moved in the clamp(s).

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Starscope on equatorial mount Instruction manual
The entry-level package comes with either an
optical viewfinder or a so-called illuminated
dot finder. Both variants are attached to the
telescope.
First, remove the two knurled nuts so that
only the screws protrude from the tube.
Attaching the viewfinder telescope
Now take the viewfinder and place it on the
screws so that you can screw the knurled
nuts back onto it.
After you have screwed both knurled nuts
back onto the screws, the viewfinder is
mounted. When mounting the viewfinder,
make sure that the aperture of the viewfinder
telescope points in the same direction as the
aperture of the telescope.

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Starscope on equatorial mount Instruction manual
Loosen the clamping screw on the pole block
of the mount.
Support the mount/telescope with your other
hand to relieve the pressure on the adjust-
ment screw.
As soon as the desired value is reached (ar-
row marking on the mount), you can tighten
the clamping screw on the pole block.
Turn the adjustment screw to change the tilt
of the mount.
Now set the correct polar height on your
mount. This corresponds to the latitude of
your observation site. The latitude is set at
the polar block.
Adjusting the latitude

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Starscope on equatorial mount Instruction manual
In order to load the mount as little as pos-
sible and to be able to move the telescope
as easily as possible, all parts on the mount
(counterweight, tube with accessories on the
eyepiece side, etc.) should be balanced, i.e.
brought into equilibrium.
To do this, set up the telescope with the
mount so that you have enough space to
swivel the telescope without the tube hitting
objects in the vicinity. Now first open the clamping screw on the
upper axis (Dec axis).
Move the counterweight to the lower end of
the counterweight rod and clamp it there.
Rotate the RA axis so that the counterweight
is at the lowest position and clamp the axis in
this position.
Loosen the Dec axis clamp, bring the tele-
scope tube to the horizontal position and
check if the tube stays in this position or
moves to one side due to an imbalance.
If the tube is not balanced, first clamp the
Dec axis with the tube horizontal.
Slightly loosen the clamping screw of the
tube clamp. Move the tube to compensate
for the imbalance. To check, loosen the Dec
axis again and again while holding the tube to
prevent unintentional swiveling.
Tighten the tube clamp screw when the tube
is balanced.
Balancing telescope and mount
Now tilt the tube to the position shown in the
adjacent image (parallel to the RA axis). The
inclination may differ from that shown in the
picture.

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Starscope on equatorial mount Instruction manual
Make sure that the Dec axis is locked and
open the clamping screw of the RA axis.
Loosen the clamping screw of the counter-
weight. Swivel the telescope until the Dec
axis is horizontal. Hold the counterweight
firmly to prevent it from slipping on the rod.
Find the counterweight position where the
weight and telescope are balanced and
clamp the weight at this position. It should no
longer be possible to move it. Return the tele-
scope to the position shown in the first image
on this page and clamp the RA axis.
Your telescope is now balanced on the
mount.

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Starscope on equatorial mount Instruction manual
Now look into the finder te-
lescope from behind (shown
in the adjacent image on the
right). Using the adjustment
screws (2), adjust the finder
until you see the same
object as in the eyepiece.
Focusing is done by rotating
the eyepiece.
Adjust the viewfinder so
that the selected object is
exactly in the center behind
the crosshairs or behind the
illuminated dot.
Now you have aligned your finder with the
telescope. Your telescope is now ready for its
first use.
Now you have to align
(adjust) the viewfinder to the
telescope. To do this, first
insert the eyepiece with the
largest focal length into the
focuser.
Now look for a distant,
earthly object (church tower,
high voltage pylon, chim-
ney, etc.) and look through
the eyepiece. Now align
the telescope so that your
selected object appears in
the center of the eyepiece.
For more detailed informa-
tion on how to move the
telescope on the mount, see
page 16.
Aligning the viewfinder telescope