RP-300 TELESCOPE Instruction Manual ©2009 CARSON OPTICAL HAUPPAUGE NY 11788 www.carsonoptical.com MADE IN CHINA 7 50668 00573 1 Carson Optical 35 Gilpin Avenue Hauppauge, NY 11788-4723 Phone: 631-963-5000 Fax: 631-427-6749 ©2011 CARSON OPTICAL ©2007 CARSON OPTICAL HAUPPAUGE NY 11788 HAUPPAUGE NY 11788 www.carsonoptical.com www.carson-optical.com call toll-free: 1-800-967-8427 For information, MADE IN CHINA MADE IN CHINA info@carsonoptical.com / sales@carsonoptical.com / www.carsonoptical.
Table of Contents: Introduction 3 Box Contents 4-9 Figures 1-9/Figure Key 10-11 Telescope Assembly • Setting up Your Tripod • Attaching the Equatorial Mount • Attaching the Counterweight • Attaching the Slow Motion Cables • Attaching the Telescope Tube to the Mount • Attaching the Finder Scope • Attaching the Eyepieces 12-13 Balancing the Telescope • Balancing the Mount in R.A. • Balancing the Mount in Dec.
Fig.1 Fig.3 Fig.
6 Fig.4 Fig.6 Fig.5 Fig.
Fig.8 Fig.9 8 Key to Figures 1-9: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 6x30mm Finder Scope Focuser Eyepiece Focus Knobs Optical Tube Assembly Cradle Rings Dec. Flexible Cable R.A. Flexible Cable Optical Tube Saddle Plate Equatorial Mount Counter Weight Bar Counter Weight Counter Weight Locking Screw Tripod Legs Declination Lock Dec. Setting Circle R.A.
Assembly of your Red Planet Telescope: Setting Up Your Tripod: The aluminum tripod comes preassembled and ready-to-use. Remove the tripod from the box and pull apart the legs. Gently push down the tripod braces (Fig. 7-35) until they are in the lowest position. Turn the tightening ring (Fig. 7-31) (located at the center of the Tripod Brace) clockwise to lock the tripod in the open position. You can then extend the legs to the desired height by pulling open the tab on each leg lock (Fig.
Balancing the Telescope: Balancing the Mount in R.A.: To reduce stress on the mount, the telescope should be balanced on the polar axis (See Fig. 2). Instructions on how to do so are as follows: • Loosen the R.A. lock knob (Fig. 3-22) and position the telescope off to one side of the mount (you may need to remove the R.A. slow motion cable (Fig. 1-8) temporarily). The counterweight bar (Fig. 2-11) should be parallel to the ground. • Release the telescope gradually and see which side it falls towards.
Understanding Celestial Movement: In order to get the most enjoyment out of your telescope it is necessary to know the basics of how celestial objects move across the sky. Due to the rotation of the earth, celestial objects appear to move from East to West across the sky, much like the Sun. You will notice this movement as an object in your telescope field of view will slowly move across the field and out of view. Continuous adjustment is needed to keep an object in the field of view.
Your telescope is now polar aligned for the area you are using it. You will need only to point the telescope North (or South in the Southern Hemisphere) when using it from now on. You will only need to repeat the polar alignment if you move to a different location and your latitude has changed. Using the Telescope: Once you have properly assembled, balanced and aligned your telescope you are finally ready to start using it. • To locate an object using the telescope, first loosen the R.A. lock (Fig.
There are many conditions that may affect your ability to focus or observe celestial objects clearly. • Brightly lit areas (light pollution) will make it difficult to see faint objects in the sky. It will also make it difficult for your eyes to adjust to the dark. You should try and find a dark area and allow your eyes to adjust to the dark before making observations. Using a red filtered flashlight to view charts and your telescope components is recommended to preserve your night sight.
Fig.12 Adjusting the Primary Mirror: If the telescope is properly collimated you should see the diagonal mirror (See Fig. 10) at the exact center of the primary mirror. If the diagonal mirror appears off-center (See Fig. 12) you will need to adjust the primary mirror (See Fig. 10) located on the outside lower-end of the main tube. To do this you will first need to loosen the primary mirror locking screws (Fig. 9-39). These are the screws that are flush against the surface of the telescope.
Customer Service: We will be happy to help you with any problems you may experience while using your telescope. Please call our toll-free customer service line at 1-800-967-8427. Warranty Information: This Carson product is warranted to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of one year from date of purchase.
