Orion SpaceProbe II 76mm Equatorial Reflector Telescope User Manual

1. Introduction

This manual provides comprehensive instructions for the assembly, operation, and maintenance of your Orion SpaceProbe II 76mm Equatorial Reflector Telescope. Designed for astronomy beginners, this telescope offers a clear view of celestial objects such as the Moon, planets, and brighter deep-sky objects. Please read these instructions carefully before using your telescope to ensure proper setup and optimal viewing experience.

2. Safety Information

• Never look directly at the Sun through your telescope or its finderscope without a professionally manufactured solar filter. Permanent and irreversible eye damage, including blindness, can result.
• Do not leave the telescope unsupervised, especially when children are present.
• Handle optical components with care to avoid scratches or damage.
• Ensure the tripod is stable on a level surface to prevent tipping.

3. Unpacking and Parts Identification

Carefully unpack all components from the box and lay them out. Refer to the image below to identify each part.

Figure 3.1: All components of the Orion SpaceProbe II 76mm Equatorial Reflector Telescope, including the optical tube, tripod legs, equatorial mount head, counterweight, accessory tray, finderscope, and eyepieces.

Your package should include:

• Optical Tube Assembly (OTA)
• Equatorial Mount Head
• Tripod Legs (3)
• Accessory Tray
• Counterweight and Counterweight Shaft
• Red-Dot Finderscope
• 25mm Kellner Eyepiece (1.25")
• 10mm Kellner Eyepiece (1.25")
• Slow-Motion Control Cables (2)
• MoonMap 260

4. Assembly Instructions

Follow these steps to assemble your telescope:

1. Set up the Tripod: Spread the tripod legs apart until they are fully extended. Secure the accessory tray to the center brace of the tripod. Adjust the leg height for stability on a level surface.
2. Attach the Equatorial Mount: Place the equatorial mount head onto the tripod's mounting platform and secure it with the provided bolt. Ensure it is firmly attached.
3. Install the Counterweight Shaft and Counterweight: Thread the counterweight shaft into the equatorial mount. Slide the counterweight onto the shaft and secure it with its locking knob.
4. Mount the Optical Tube: Attach the optical tube assembly to the equatorial mount's dovetail clamp. Ensure the clamp is tightened securely to prevent the tube from slipping.


Figure 4.1: The fully assembled Orion SpaceProbe II 76mm telescope, showing the optical tube mounted on the equatorial mount and tripod.

5. Attach the Finderscope: Slide the red-dot finderscope into its bracket on the optical tube. Tighten the small set screw to hold it in place.
6. Insert an Eyepiece: Loosen the thumbscrews on the focuser. Insert the 25mm eyepiece into the focuser and gently tighten the thumbscrews to secure it.
7. Attach Slow-Motion Control Cables: Connect the two slow-motion control cables to the appropriate shafts on the equatorial mount for fine adjustments in Right Ascension (RA) and Declination (Dec).

5. Operating Your Telescope

5.1 Aligning the Red-Dot Finderscope

The red-dot finderscope projects a small red dot onto a viewing window, indicating where the telescope is pointing. It must be aligned with the main telescope for accurate targeting.

1. Install the battery (if not already installed) into the finderscope. Turn on the finderscope using the knob on its side.
2. During daylight hours, point the main telescope at a distant, easily identifiable object (e.g., a telephone pole or chimney).
3. Look through the 25mm eyepiece of the main telescope and center the object in the field of view.
4. Without moving the main telescope, look through the red-dot finderscope. Use the two adjustment knobs on the finderscope to move the red dot until it is centered on the same object you see in the main telescope's eyepiece.
5. Once aligned, the finderscope will accurately indicate the main telescope's target. Remember to turn off the finderscope after use to conserve battery life.

5.2 Focusing

To achieve a sharp image, rotate the focuser knob until the object appears clear. You may need to adjust focus slightly as objects move or as your eyes adapt.

5.3 Using Eyepieces

Your telescope comes with two eyepieces:

• 25mm Eyepiece: Provides lower magnification (28x) and a wider field of view, ideal for locating objects and observing larger celestial bodies like the Moon or star clusters.
• 10mm Eyepiece: Provides higher magnification (70x) and a narrower field of view, suitable for detailed observations of the Moon and planets.

Always start with the 25mm eyepiece to locate and center an object, then switch to the 10mm eyepiece for higher magnification if desired. To change eyepieces, loosen the focuser thumbscrews, carefully remove the current eyepiece, insert the new one, and re-tighten the thumbscrews.

5.4 Understanding the Equatorial Mount

The equatorial mount is designed to track celestial objects as they move across the night sky due to Earth's rotation. It has two main axes:

• Right Ascension (RA): This axis allows the telescope to move east-west, parallel to the celestial equator.
• Declination (Dec): This axis allows the telescope to move north-south, perpendicular to the celestial equator.

To track an object, first align the equatorial mount's polar axis with Polaris (the North Star). Once aligned, you only need to use the Right Ascension slow-motion control to keep an object centered in your eyepiece as it drifts across the sky.

Figure 5.1: Detailed view of the equatorial mount, showing the focuser, eyepiece, and slow-motion controls for precise adjustments.

6. Maintenance

6.1 Cleaning Optics

• Dust on the primary mirror or eyepieces should be removed with a soft camel hair brush or a can of compressed air (use short bursts, hold upright).
• For smudges or fingerprints, use a specialized optical cleaning fluid and lens tissue. Apply a small amount of fluid to the tissue, not directly to the lens, and wipe gently in a circular motion from the center outwards.
• Avoid touching optical surfaces with your fingers.

6.2 Storage

When not in use, store your telescope in a clean, dry, dust-free environment. Keep dust caps on the optical tube and eyepieces to protect the optics.

6.3 Collimation

Reflector telescopes occasionally require collimation, which is the alignment of the primary and secondary mirrors. While your telescope is factory-collimated, bumps during shipping or regular use can cause slight misalignment. For detailed collimation instructions, refer to advanced astronomy guides or the Orion support website. A laser collimator (sold separately) can simplify this process.

7. Troubleshooting

8. Specifications

• Optical Design: Newtonian Reflector
• Aperture: 76mm (3 inches)
• Focal Length: 700mm
• Focal Ratio: f/9.2
• Eyepieces: 25mm Kellner (28x magnification), 10mm Kellner (70x magnification)
• Focuser: 1.25" Rack-and-Pinion
• Finderscope: Red-Dot Reflex Finder
• Mount Type: Equatorial Mount
• Tripod: Aluminum with Accessory Tray
• Optical Tube Length: 26.2 inches
• Product Dimensions: 66.55 x 7.6 x 7.6 cm (Optical Tube)
• Weight: Approximately 8.56 kg (total package)
• Model Number: 10274

9. Warranty and Support

For warranty information, technical support, or to purchase accessories, please visit the official Orion Telescopes & Binoculars website or contact their customer service department. Keep your purchase receipt as proof of purchase.

Orion Telescopes & Binoculars
www.telescope.com