Vixen SPHINX SXD Mount - Manual (Page 19)

Page 19
I Moving the Telescope
Make sure that the R.A and DEC clamps are tightened.
Press the
keys to see in what direction the telescope tube moves.
The
keys move the telescope left and right, and the keys move it up and down.
(The telescope may not move below the horizon.)
Note: The mount starts driving at sidereal rate (the speed of Earth’s rotation) as soon as the
OK key is pressed in the home position setting screen.
II Start Out with Terrestrial Viewing
Let’s have a look through the telescope. The best way to become familiar with a telescope
is to learn how to use it in the daytime. It is difficult for the novice telescope user to start
observing under a dark sky at night. Start out with terrestrial viewing.
WARNING! Never look directly at the sun with your naked eye or through any telescope or
its finder scope or guide scope. Permanent and irreversible eye damage may result.
(1) Place the telescope in an open area where you can view in excess of 200m/660ft away.
Make sure that there are no obstacles around the telescope. Using the telescope outdoors
is recommended.
Hint 2 When viewing through a window the image is often fuzzy or ‘doubled’. When there is
a temperature difference between indoors and outdoors the image may not be clear, as it
may be affected by turbulence from air flowing out/in through an open window. (Although
a drifting image may also be seen outdoors, it is considered very stable when compared
with indoors.)
(2) Remove the objective lens cap and
eyepiece cap. The location of the cap on
your telescope may differ from model to
model.
(3) Do you know where on the telescope to
look through? Do you know where the
front of the telescope is? Refer to the
figures shown on the above.