National Geographic 114/500 Compact Telescope

Introduction

This document provides operating instructions for the National Geographic 114/500 Compact Telescope, a product from Bresser.

Safety Information ⚠️

• Risk of Bodily Injury: Never look directly at the sun or near the sun with this device. This can cause blindness.
• Children should only use the device under adult supervision. Keep packaging materials (plastic bags, rubber bands, etc.) away from children as they pose a choking hazard.
• Never expose the device, especially the optics, to direct sunlight. The concentration of light can cause fires or burns.
• Do not disassemble the device. In case of a defect, contact your dealer.
• Do not expose the device to high temperatures.
• Privacy Protection: This device is intended for private use only. Respect the privacy of others and do not use it to observe into apartments, for example.

Telescope Components

Your telescope consists of the following parts:

1. Focus wheel
2. Telescope (telescope tube)
3. Compass
4. Alt-azimuth mount
5. Azimuth scale
6. Scale with 90° steps
7. Height adjustment wheel
8. LED Viewfinder

Scope of Delivery

The package includes:

1. 2 Eyepieces (6 mm, 20 mm)
2. Barlow lens 2X
3. Moon filter
4. Stellarium Astronomy Software (Download available at www.bresser.de/download/Stellarium)

Setup and Operation

Choosing a Location: Select a suitable location for your telescope. Use a stable surface, such as a table or countertop.

Pointing Your Telescope:

• The alt-azimuth mount allows you to move the telescope up, down, left, and right.
• Use the height adjustment wheel (7) to tilt the telescope up and down.
• Turn the azimuth mount (4) like a turntable to pan the telescope left and right.
• Fine adjustment is achieved using the LED Viewfinder (8). Look through the viewfinder and align the target object with the center of the crosshairs. For initial alignment, aim for Polaris (North Star) in the center of the viewfinder's crosshairs (No. 1).

Choosing the Right Eyepiece & Magnification

For initial observations, it is recommended to use the eyepiece with the longest focal length, which provides lower magnification. As you become more experienced, you can switch to eyepieces with shorter focal lengths for higher magnification.

The magnification is calculated using the following formula:

Magnification = Focal length of telescope tube / Focal length of eyepiece

This telescope has a focal length of 500 mm. The magnification depends on both the telescope's and the eyepiece's focal lengths.

The table below shows common magnifications:

Astro Software: The Stellarium astronomy software can be downloaded from www.bresser.de/download/Stellarium.

Cleaning and Maintenance ?

• Clean lenses (eyepieces and objective) only with a soft, lint-free cloth (e.g., microfiber). Do not apply excessive pressure to avoid scratching the lenses.
• For stubborn dirt, moisten the cleaning cloth with an eyeglass cleaning solution and wipe gently.
• Protect the device from dust and moisture. After use, especially in high humidity, let the device acclimatize at room temperature for a short period to allow residual moisture to dissipate. Replace dust covers and store in the provided bag.
• To remove dust from mirrors, use a fine brush or an air blower. Do not touch mirror surfaces with your fingers, as this can damage the coating.

Disposal ?️

• Dispose of packaging materials sorted by type. Contact your local waste disposal service or environmental authority for proper disposal information.
• When disposing of the device, adhere to current legal regulations. Information on proper disposal can be obtained from local waste disposal services or environmental authorities.

Telescope ABC: Key Terms

• Barlow Lens: Named after its inventor Peter Barlow, this lens increases the telescope's focal length, thereby increasing magnification. It can double or triple the focal length.
• Focal Length: The distance from the optical element (lens/mirror) to the point where light rays converge to form a sharp image (the focal point or focus).
• Mirror: Reflects incoming light to create a sharp image at the focal point.
• Eyepiece: A lens system that magnizes the sharp image formed by the telescope's objective.
• Magnification: The ratio of the apparent size of an object viewed through the telescope to its size viewed with the naked eye.

Celestial Objects for Observation

This telescope is suitable for observing various celestial bodies. The following are described:

• The Moon: Earth's only natural satellite. Diameter: 3,476 km. Distance: approx. 384,400 km. Known since prehistoric times, it is the second brightest object in the sky. Its phases are due to the changing angle between the Earth, Moon, and Sun.
• Orion Nebula (M 42): Located in the Orion constellation, approximately 1,344 light-years away. It is the brightest diffuse nebula visible to the naked eye and a rewarding object for telescopes of all sizes. It is part of a vast cloud of hydrogen gas and dust.
• Ring Nebula in Lyra (M 57): Located approx. 2,412 light-years away. Considered a prototype planetary nebula, it's a prominent feature of the Northern Hemisphere's summer sky. Recent studies suggest it's a ring of luminous material surrounding a central star.
• Dumbbell Nebula in Vulpecula (M 27): Located approx. 1,360 light-years away. It was the first planetary nebula discovered. It appears as a ring when viewed from its pole, similar to the Ring Nebula (M 57).

Visual Appearance Examples:

The appearance of celestial objects through the telescope varies with the eyepiece used:

• With 20mm Eyepiece (Lower Magnification): Offers a wider field of view, showing more of the surrounding sky. The Moon appears as a clear disc. Nebulae appear as faint, diffuse patches of light, with some structure visible for brighter ones like Orion.
• With 6mm Eyepiece (Higher Magnification): Provides a closer view, showing more detail. The Moon shows craters and surface features. Nebulae appear more detailed, with the Ring Nebula clearly showing its ring structure and the Dumbbell Nebula its characteristic shape.

Declarations and Warranty

EC Declaration of Conformity: Bresser GmbH has issued a Declaration of Conformity in accordance with applicable guidelines and standards. The full text is available at: www.bresser.de/download/9065000/CE/9065000_CE.pdf

UKCA Declaration of Conformity: Bresser GmbH has issued a Declaration of Conformity in accordance with applicable guidelines and standards. The full text is available at: www.bresser.de/download/9065000/UKCA/9065000_UKCA.pdf

Warranty and Service: The regular warranty period is 2 years from the date of purchase. For extended warranty benefits, registration on the Bresser website is required. Full warranty terms and service information are available at www.bresser.de/warranty_terms.