Orion XT10 - Manual (Page 17)

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for observing these usually faint celestial entities. For deep-
sky observing it is important that you find an observing site
well away from light pollution. Take plenty of time to let your
eyes adjust to the darkness. As you become more experi-
enced and your observing skills get sharper, you will be able
to ferret out more and more subtle details and structure from
these fascinating objects.
Beginners are often surprised to discover that the deep-
sky objects they see through the eyepiece of a telescope
are mostly grayish, not colorful like those you see in long-
exposure photographs. The reason is that our eyes are not
sensitive to color in faint light. Still, there is something very
special about seeing an astronomical object in real time, with
your own eyes — “live,” if not in living color.
Note About Astrophotography
SkyQuest IntelliScope Dobsonians are designed for visu-
al, not photographic use. The Dobsonian mount is not an
equatorial-type mount, so it cannot be motor driven for long
exposure astrophotography. SkyQuests have also been opti-
cally optimized for visual use, since photographic optimization
degrades visual performance.
With that in mind, however, it is possible to do some simple
astrophotography with a SkyQuest IntelliScope. With the use
of afocal photography techniques (where the camera is simply
put right up to the eyepiece to take a picture) and digital cam-
eras, it is possible to take pictures of bright objects. Certain
photograph aids, such as the Orion SteadyPix, can help in
taking photos by the afocal method.
6. Optional IntelliScope
Computerized Object
Location
Perhaps the most exciting feature of the SkyQuest XT
IntelliScope is its compatibility with the optional IntelliScope
Computerized Object Locator (controller). When plugged into
the IntelliScope port on the telescope’s base, the IntelliScope
controller enables the user to point the telescope quickly and
effortlessly to more than 14,000 celestial object with the push
of a button. After a simple two-star alignment procedure, you
just select an object to view from the intuitive keypad, then
read the guide arrows on the Controller’s illuminated liquid
crystal display and move the telescope in the corresponding
direction. In seconds the object will be waiting in the tele-
scope’s field of view, ready to observe. It’s that simple!
Even without the optional IntelliScope controller, the SkyQuest
IntelliScope provides a tremendous observing experience.
But addition of the controller provides a whole new level of
convenience and capability, as you’re able to locate and view
more objects in an evening than you ever could before.
The IntelliScope controller works by communicating elec-
tronically with a pair of high-resolution, 9,216-step digital
encoders, one of which will reside on one of the telescope’s
side bearings (this encoder is included with the optional
IntelliScope controller), the other of which you installed dur-
ing assembly of the base. The encoders allow highly precise
positioning of the telescope to coordinates programmed into
the IntelliScope controller’s database for each object. Since
the telescope is not dependent on motors for movement, you
can point the telescope at your target much more quickly (and
quietly!) than other computerized telescopes can — and with-
out guzzling all those batteries in the process.
The IntelliScope database includes:
• 7,840 objects from the Revised New General Catalog
• 5,386 objects from the Index Catalog
• 110 objects from the Messier Catalog
• 837 selected stars (mostly double, multiple, and variable
stars)
• 8 planets
• 99 user-programmable objects
With the user-friendly IntelliScope controller, there are
many ways to locate an object. If you know its catalog num-
ber (NGC or Messier number, for instance), you can enter
it using the illuminated keypad buttons. Or you can press
one of the object-category buttons (Cluster, Nebula, Galaxy,
etc.) to access a list of objects by type. For a tour of the best
objects visible in a given month, you just press the Tour but-
ton. Another great feature of the IntelliScope is the ability to
identify an “unknown” object in the field of view — just press
the ID button. You can even add up to 99 objects of your own
choosing to the IntelliScope controller’s database.
The backlit, two-line liquid crystal display on the controller
shows you the object’s catalog number, its common name if it
has one, the constellation in which it resides, its right ascen-
sion and declination coordinates, the object type, magnitude,
angular size, as well as a brief description in scrolling text.
The two guide arrows and associated “navigation numbers”
tell you in what direction to move the telescope to pinpoint
an object’s location. As the telescope approaches the object’s
location, the numbers get progressively smaller. When the
navigation numbers reach 0, the telescope will be pointed
right at the object! You just look into the eyepiece and enjoy
the view!
The IntelliScope Computerized Object Locator is a wonderful
convenience for both the novice and experienced observer. It
can be added at any time to turn your SkyQuest IntelliScope
into a fully computerized “smart scope” that will expand your
observing horizons in ways you never imagined. It is well
worth the modest investment!
7. Care and Maintenance
If you give your telescope reasonable care, it will last a lifetime.
Store it in a clean, dry, dust-free place, safe from rapid chang-
es in temperature and humidity. Do not store the telescope
outdoors, although storage in a garage or shed is OK. Small
components like eyepieces and other accessories should be
kept in a protective box or storage case. Keep the cloth dust
cover on the front of the telescope when not in use.