Orion SKYQUEST XX14I - Manual (Page 31)

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note about astro-imaging
The SkyQuest XX14i IntelliScope Truss Tube Dobsonian is
designed for visual, not imaging, use. The Dobsonian mount
is not an equatorial-type mount, and is not motor driven for
long exposure astro-imaging. The telescope has also been
optically optimized for visual use, since photographic optimi-
zation degrades visual performance.
With that in mind, however, it is possible to do some simple
astro-imaging with the XX14i. With the use of afocal imaging
techniques (where the camera is simply held to the eyepiece
to take a picture) and digital cameras, it is possible to capture
images of bright objects. Certain imaging accessories, such
as the Orion SteadyPix, can help in obtaining images by the
afocal method.
6. Care and Maintenance
If you give your telescope reasonable care, it will last a life-
time. Store it in a clean, dry, dust-free place, safe from rapid
changes in temperature and humidity. Do not store the tele-
scope outdoors, although storage in a garage or shed is okay.
The telescope can be stored assembled or disassembled, but
be sure to keep the dust covers on the telescope when not
in use. We highly recommend storing the optical tube sec-
tions in the optional case set for the XX14i. Small components
like eyepieces and other accessories should be kept in an
optional accessory case.
Your XX14i requires very little mechanical maintenance. The
optical tube is steel and has a painted finish that is fairly
scratch-resistant. If a scratch does appear on the tube, it will
not harm the telescope. Smudges on the tube or base can be
wiped off with a soft cloth and household cleaning fluid.
Cleaning Eyepiece Lenses
Any quality optical lens cleaning tissue and optical lens clean-
ing fluid specifically designed for multi-coated optics can be
used to clean the exposed lenses of your eyepieces or find-
er scope. Never use regular glass cleaner or cleaning fluid
designed for eyeglasses. Before cleaning with fluid and tissue,
however, blow any loose particles off the lens with a blower
bulb or compressed air. Then apply some cleaning fluid to a
tissue, never directly on the optics. Wipe the lens gently in
a circular motion, then remove any excess fluid with a fresh
lens tissue. Oily fingerprints and smudges may be removed
using this method. Use caution; rubbing too hard may scratch
the lens. For larger lenses, clean only a small area at a time
using a fresh lens tissue on each area. Never reuse cleaning
tissues.
Cleaning Mirrors
You should not have to clean the telescope’s mirrors very
often; normally once every few years or so. Covering the tele-
scope with the dust covers when it is not in use will prevent
dust from accumulating on the mirrors. Improper cleaning can
scratch mirror coatings, so the fewer times you have to clean
the mirrors, the better. Small specks of dust or debris have
virtually no adverse effect on the visual performance of the
telescope. The large primary mirror and the elliptical second-
ary mirror of your telescope are front surface aluminized and
over-coated with hard silicon dioxide, which prevents the alu-
minum from oxidizing. These coatings normally last through
many years of use before requiring re-coating.
To clean the secondary mirror, you will need to remove it
from the telescope. Before doing so, remove the upper tube
section from the assembled telescope. Hold the secondary
mirror stationary while loosening the center Phillips-head
screw. Handle the mirror by its edge; avoid touching the mirror
surface itself. Once the mirror (still in its holder) is removed
from the tube, follow the same procedure described below for
cleaning the primary mirror. You do not need to remove the
secondary mirror from its holder when cleaning.
To clean the mirrors, you’ll need the following:
• A sink or tub big enough to hold the mirror
• Distilled water, 1 gallon
• Squeeze bottle
• A little dishwashing liquid
• 100% isopropyl alcohol (optional)
• Cotton balls
• Soft towel
To clean the primary mirror, you must carefully remove the
end ring and mirror support assembly from the telescope. To
do this, remove the screws on the side of the tube near the
rear end ring. Then remove the collimation screws on the bot-
tom of the mirror cell. This will allow the end ring to be sepa-
rated from the mirror support structure, which is attached to
the mirror itself.
1. Fill a clean sink or tub – not a bath tub but rather a small-
er plastic tub or bin – with room-temperature water, a few
drops of liquid dishwashing detergent, and if possible a
capful of 100% isopropyl alcohol.
2. With the mirror still in its support cell but with the rear end
ring removed, grasp the mirror cell and hold the mirror
upside-down. Submerge the aluminized face of the mir-
ror in the solution and gently swish it around for a minute
or so.
3. Now remove the mirror from the water and keep it tilted
for a few seconds to allow the water to drain off.
4. For the next steps you might want to prop the mirror at a
slight angle on your work surface so that water will run off
and not collect in the middle.
5. To help dislodge any remaining particulate matter, use a
squeeze bottle filled with water to spray a “jet” of water
across the mirror surface.
6. Now you’re going to use wet cotton balls to clean the
mirror. Dump out the solution used in the above steps,
rinse the tub, then refill it (or a smaller container, since
we won’t be immersing the mirror in it this time) with new
solution following the same recipe. This will ensure that
no particles that came off the mirror in the previous steps