Introduction
The Celestron Travel Scope 70 is a portable refractor telescope designed for both celestial and terrestrial viewing. Its lightweight design and included backpack make it ideal for on-the-go observations. This manual provides detailed instructions for assembling, operating, and maintaining your telescope to ensure an optimal viewing experience.
What's in the Box
Your Celestron Travel Scope 70 package includes the following components:
- Optical tube
- Mount and tripod (preassembled)
- 20mm Eyepiece
- 10mm Eyepiece
- 45° erect image diagonal
- 5x24 Finderscope
- SkyPortal app (download access)
- Celestron's Starry Night Basic Edition Software (download access)
- Instruction Manual
- Backpack
- Additional 4mm Eyepiece (Amazon Exclusive)
- 3X Barlow Lens (Amazon Exclusive)
Image: All components of the Celestron Travel Scope 70, including the main telescope tube, tripod, various eyepieces, and the carrying backpack.
Setup
Setting up your Celestron Travel Scope 70 is a straightforward process. Follow these steps to get started:
- Assemble the Tripod: The tripod comes pre-assembled. Extend the legs to your desired height and lock them into position using the clips. Ensure the tripod is stable on a flat surface.
- Attach the Optical Tube: Secure the optical tube to the tripod mount. This connection is designed for easy attachment.
- Install the Finderscope: Attach the 5x24 finderscope to the optical tube using the provided screws. The finderscope helps in locating objects before viewing them through the main telescope.
- Insert the Erect Image Diagonal: Place the 45° erect image diagonal into the focuser of the optical tube. This accessory corrects the image orientation, making it suitable for terrestrial viewing as well.
- Insert an Eyepiece: Choose an eyepiece (e.g., 20mm for wider views, 10mm for higher magnification) and insert it into the diagonal. Secure it with the thumbscrew.
Image: A person extending the legs of the tripod for the Celestron Travel Scope 70, demonstrating its adjustable height.
Image: A close-up of the 45-degree erect image diagonal attached to the telescope, showing its function for upright viewing.
Image: The Celestron Travel Scope 70 fully assembled with an eyepiece and a smartphone adapter attached, ready for use.
Operating the Telescope
Once assembled, operating your Travel Scope 70 is intuitive. Here are key operational aspects:
- Adjusting the Tripod: The tripod's height can be adjusted for comfortable viewing. Ensure all leg locks are secure after adjustment.
- Aiming and Tracking: Use the alt-azimuth mount with its panning handle for smooth and accurate pointing. Loosen the clutch to move the telescope freely, then tighten it to hold position.
- Focusing: Turn the focus knob located near the eyepiece until the image appears sharp and clear.
- Eyepieces and Magnification:
- 20mm Eyepiece: Provides a wide field of view, ideal for locating objects and observing larger celestial bodies like the Moon.
- 10mm Eyepiece: Offers higher magnification for more detailed views of planets and lunar features.
- 4mm Eyepiece (Additional): Provides even higher magnification for closer inspection of celestial objects.
- 3X Barlow Lens (Additional): Used in conjunction with an eyepiece to triple its magnification. Insert the Barlow lens into the focuser first, then the eyepiece into the Barlow.
Image: Illustration showing the difference in magnification (20x and 40x) achieved with the 20mm and 10mm eyepieces, respectively, for lunar observation.
Image: A close-up view of the additional 4mm eyepiece, which provides higher magnification.
Image: The 3X Barlow lens, used to increase the magnification of any eyepiece by three times.
- Smartphone Adapter: Use the included smartphone adapter to capture photos and videos through the eyepiece. This is particularly effective for detailed lunar photography.
Image: A smartphone mounted on the telescope using the adapter, displaying the SkyPortal app for object location.
The Travel Scope 70 is excellent for observing the Moon, bright planets like Jupiter and Saturn, and various terrestrial objects. Its erect image diagonal ensures that views are correctly oriented.
Image: Demonstrates the versatility of the telescope for both daytime terrestrial viewing (a duck) and nighttime celestial viewing (the Moon).
Image: A detailed close-up of the Moon's surface, highlighting craters and other features visible through the telescope.
Maintenance
Proper maintenance will ensure the longevity and performance of your telescope:
- Cleaning Optics: Use a soft, lint-free cloth and specialized optical cleaning solution. Avoid touching the lens surfaces directly.
- Storage: When not in use, store the telescope in its included backpack in a dry, dust-free environment.
- Handling: Always handle the telescope with care to prevent accidental drops or impacts.
Troubleshooting
If you encounter issues, consider these common solutions:
- Blurry Images: Adjust the focus knob slowly until the image is sharp. Ensure the eyepiece is fully inserted and secured.
- Difficulty Locating Objects: First, align your finderscope with the main telescope. Use the lowest magnification eyepiece (20mm) to locate objects, then switch to higher magnification.
- Unstable View: Ensure the tripod legs are fully extended and locked. Avoid using the telescope in strong winds.
- Image is Upside Down/Reversed: For terrestrial viewing, ensure the 45° erect image diagonal is correctly installed. For astronomical viewing, an inverted image is normal for many telescopes without an erect image diagonal.
Specifications
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Optical Tube Length | 70 Millimeters |
| Objective Lens Diameter | 70 Millimeters |
| Telescope Mount Description | Altazimuth Mount |
| Product Dimensions | 17.99 x 7.01 x 14.02 inches |
| Item Weight | 3.3 pounds |
| Focus Type | Manual Focus |
| Finderscope | Reflex |
| Power Source | Battery Powered (for finderscope, if applicable) |
Warranty and Support
The Celestron Travel Scope 70 comes with a two-year warranty. For customer support or warranty claims, please visit the official Celestron website or contact their customer service department. Additional resources, including the SkyPortal app and Starry Night Basic Edition Software, are available for download to enhance your astronomy experience.
For more information, visit the Celestron Store on Amazon.
Important Safety Information
WARNING: Never look directly at the Sun with your telescope or its finderscope without a professionally made solar filter. Permanent and irreversible eye damage may result. Always ensure the objective lens cap is on when the telescope is not in use, especially during daylight hours.
