background image

3

1. Unpacking

The entire telescope system will arrive in one box. Be careful
unpacking the box. We recommend keeping the original ship-
ping containers. In the event that the telescope needs to be
shipped to another location, or returned to Orion for warranty
repair, having the proper shipping containers will help ensure
that your telescope will survive the journey intact.

Make sure all the parts in the Parts List are present. Be sure
to check boxes carefully, as some parts are small. If anything
appears to be missing or broken, immediately call Orion
Customer Support (800) 676-1343 or email support@tele-
scope.com for assistance.

2. Parts List

Qty.

Description

1

Optical tube assembly

1

Optical tube dust cover

1

25mm (52x) Sirius Plössl eyepiece (1.25")

1

Mirror star diagonal

1

6x26 correct-image finder scope

1

Dovetail finder scope bracket with O-ring

1

Equatorial mount

3

Tripod legs 

1

Counterweight shaft

1

Counterweight

1

Tripod accessory tray 

1

Accessory tray bracket

2

Slow-motion control cables

1

1/4"-20 adapter 

1

Soft carry case

3

Assembly tools (wrench, Phillips screwdriver, 
flathead screwdriver key)

Welcome to a new world of adventure. Your new StarMax 102mm EQ is designed for high-resolution
observing of astronomical objects, and can also be used for terrestrial exploration. With its precision
optics and equatorial mount, you’ll be able to locate and enjoy hundreds of fascinating celestial objects,
including the planets, Moon, and a variety of deep-sky galaxies, nebulas, and star clusters.

If you have never owned a telescope before, we would like to welcome you to amateur astronomy. Take
some time to familiarize yourself with the night sky. Learn to recognize the patterns of stars in the major
constellations. With a little practice, a little patience, and a reasonably dark sky away from city lights,
you’ll find your telescope to be a never-ending source of wonder, exploration, and relaxation.

These instructions will help you set up, properly use and care for your telescope. Please read them over
thoroughly before getting started.

Table of Contents

1. Unpacking................................................................................................................................3

2. Parts List..................................................................................................................................3

3. Assembly .................................................................................................................................4

4. Getting Started ........................................................................................................................5

5. Setting Up and Using the Equatorial Mount ............................................................................7 

6. Using Your Telescope—Astronomical Observing ...................................................................10

7. Terrestrial Viewing..................................................................................................................13

8. Photography...........................................................................................................................13

9. Care and Maintenance ..........................................................................................................13

10. Specifications.........................................................................................................................14

WARNING:

Never look directly at the Sun

through your telescope or its finder scope—
even for an instant—without a professionally
made solar filter that completely covers the
front of the instrument, or permanent eye
damage could result. Young children should use
this telescope only with adult supervision.

Summary of Contents for StarMax 102mm EQ

Page 1: ...ng Exceptional Consumer Optical Products Since 1975 Customer Support 800 676 1343 E mail support telescope com Corporate Offices 831 763 7000 P O Box 1815 Santa Cruz CA 95061 Orion StarMax 102mm EQ 98...

Page 2: ...lock t bolt Latitude adjustment t bolt Dec slow motion control cable Azimuth lock knob Meniscus lens 1 4 20 adapter Dec setting circle R A setting circle Counterweight Counterweight lock knob Counter...

Page 3: ...rving of astronomical objects and can also be used for terrestrial exploration With its precision optics and equatorial mount you ll be able to locate and enjoy hundreds of fascinating celestial objec...

Page 4: ...e screw that comes installed in each attachment point to do this First remove the screw using the supplied screwdriv er then line up one of the ends of the bracket with the attachment point and reinst...

Page 5: ...ing that comes on the base of the bracket over the body of the finder scope until it seats into the groove on the middle of the finder scope Slide the eyepiece end narrow end of the finder scope into...

Page 6: ...nearsightedness or farsightedness but not astigmatism If you have to wear your glasses while observ ing and cannot see the entire field of view you may want to purchase additional eyepieces that have...

Page 7: ...he sky look north and locate the pattern of the Big Dipper Figure 6 The two stars at the end of the bowl of the Big Dipper point right to Polaris Observers in the Southern Hemisphere aren t so fortuna...

Page 8: ...ovide hands free tracking Objects will then remain stationary in the field of view without any manual adjustment of the R A slow motion control cable Understanding the Setting Circles The setting circ...

Page 9: ...The counterweight shaft is oriented downward But it will not look like that when the telescope is pointed in other directions Let s say you want to view an object that is directly overhead at the zeni...

Page 10: ...eing generally gets better after midnight when much of the heat absorbed by the Earth during the day has radiated off into space Especially important for observing faint objects is good trans parency...

Page 11: ...onal in place so that it won t fall to the ground Also secure the eyepiece in the diagonal so that it won t fall out when rotating the diagonal Retighten the thumb screws on the eyepiece adapter once...

Page 12: ...is perhaps the simplest way to hunt down deep sky objects to view in the night sky It entails first pointing the telescope at a bright star close to the object you wish to observe and then progressin...

Page 13: ...can vibrate the system and blur the resulting photo graphic image Also be sure to use a solid tripod 9 Care and Maintenance Transporting The included soft carry case provides an excellent way to tran...

Page 14: ...pring loaded X Y alignment Optical tube mounting block Fits standard photo style tripods Mount EQ 2 German type equatorial Slow motion controls R A and Dec axes Setting Circles R A scaled in 10 minute...

Page 15: ...15...

Page 16: ...Watsonville CA 95076 If the product is not registered proof of purchase such as a copy of the original invoice is required This warranty does not apply if in Orion s judgment the instrument has been...

Reviews: