INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Orion SkyQuest IntelliScope XT6, XT8, XT10

#9816, #9918, #9950

Customer Support (800) 676-1343 E-mail: support@telescope.com
Corporate Offices (831) 763-7000
Providing Exceptional Consumer Optical Products Since 1975
P.O. Box 1815, Santa Cruz, CA 95061

IN 226 Rev. C 11/10

Secondary mirror holder with 4-vane spider (not visible) Finder scope Finder scope bracket
Eyepiece Focuser Navigation knob

Optical tube

Tensioning knob IntelliScope Controller Port modular jack Retaining knob (opposite side) Computerized Object Locator (optional)
Right side panel Eyepiece rack

Primary mirror cell

Front brace Handle Top baseplate Ground baseplate
Figure 1. The SkyQuest XT8 IntelliScope

Left side panel Foot (3)

Congratulations on your purchase of an Orion SkyQuest XT IntelliScope Dobsonian. It is a high-performance astronomical instrument designed to provide dazzling views of celestial objects and unprecedented ease of use. With the addition of the optional IntelliScope Computerized Object Locator (Controller), you gain the ability to locate and view thousands of celestial objects with the push of a button. Searching for objects is a thing of the past, as the IntelliScopes high-resolution digital encoders find them for you in seconds. Its so easy! Even if you decide not to purchase the optional IntelliScope Controller, your SkyQuest telescope will provide years of stargazing enjoyment, thanks to its large-aperture, precision optics; its innovative, user-friendly design; and its complement of outstanding features and accessories. We hope you enjoy your journey through the universe! Please read these instructions thoroughly before beginning assembly and subsequent use of the telescope.

Table of Contents

1. Unpacking.3 2. Assembly.4 3. Using Your Telescope.8 4. Alignment (Collimation) of the Optical System.12 5. Astronomical Observing.15 6. Optional IntelliScope Computerized Object Location.17 7. Care and Maintenance.18 8. Specifications.19
WARNING: Never look directly at the Sun through your telescope or its finder scopeeven for an instantwithout a professionally made solar filter that completely covers the front of the instrument, or permanent eye damage could result. Young children should use this telescope only with adult supervision.

Parts List

Box #1: Optical Tube Assembly and Accessories Qty. Description 1 Qty Optical tube assembly Dust cover 25mm Sirius Plssl eyepiece, 1.25" barrel diameter 10mm Sirius Plssl eyepiece, 1.25" barrel diameter 9x50 finder scope (6x30 for the XT6) Finder scope bracket with O-ring Collimation cap 4-Hole eyepiece rack (3 hole for XT6) Eyepiece rack mounting wood screws (length 3/4") Tensioning/Retaining knobs Tensioning knob nylon washer (white) Tensioning knob metal washer Nylon retaining knob spacer (black) Handle Handle mounting hex-head screws Handle mounting screw washers Crescent wrench Description Left panel Right panel Front brace Top baseplate Ground baseplate Base assembly wood screws (length 2", black) Teflon azimuth bearing pads (1" diameter) Hex key (size 4mm) Plastic feet Feet attachment wood screws (length 1")

1. Unpacking

The telescope is packed in two boxes, one containing the optical tube assembly and accessories, the other containing the unassembled Dobsonian base. Be careful unpacking the boxes. We recommend keeping the original shipping containers. In the event that the telescope needs to be shipped to another location, or returned to Orion for warranty repair, having the proper shipping containers will help ensure that your telescope will survive the journey intact. Make sure all the parts in the Parts List below are present. Be sure to check boxes carefully, as some parts are small. If anything appears to be missing or broken, immediately call Orion Customer Support (800-676-1343) or email sales@telescope.com for assistance.

Box #2: Dobsonian Base

Azimuth encoder board Encoder connector board Encoder board mounting wood screws Brass bushing Encoder disk Azimuth axis hex-head screw (length 2.25") Fender washers (diameter 1") Hex lock nut Altitude bearing cylinders Altitude bearing cylinder screws (length 1-3/4", black) Vertical stop knob Nylon spacer (white) Flat washers (2x1/16" thick, 1x1/32" thick)

Assembly of the Dobsonian Base Refer to Figure 2 during base assembly. The base need only be assembled once, unless you disassemble it for long-term storage. The assembly process takes about 30 minutes and requires, in addition to the supplied tools, a Phillips screwdriver, and two adjustable crescent wrenches. You can substitute a 7/16" crescent wrench for one of the adjustable crescent wrenches, or use a pair of pliers. The azimuth encoder board and other encoder items should be installed, even if you do not plan to use the optional Computerized Object Locator. The smooth motion of the telescope depends on the installation of these parts. When tightening screws, tighten them until firm, but be careful not to strip the holes by over-tightening. If you use an electric screwdriver, do final tightening with a standard screwdriver to avoid stripping. 1. With a Phillips screwdriver, screw the plastic feet into the underside of the ground baseplate (A) using the self-tapping wood screws provided. Insert the screws through the feet and thread them into the predrilled starter holes. 2. Loosely attach the front brace (B) to the two side panels (C) with six of the base assembly screws in the predrilled holes. Use the 4mm hex wrench to tighten the screws. The side panels should be oriented so the SkyQuest IntelliScope labels are facing outward. Do not completely tighten the screws yet. 3. Connect the two side panels (C) with the front brace attached to the top baseplate (D) with the remaining six base assembly screws in the predrilled holes. The side of the baseplate with the pilot hole near the square-shaped cutout should be facing downwards. Tighten all six screws firmly.
(Please note: Unless otherwise specified, all images and pictures in this manual are of the SkyQuest XT8.)

E F G A G

Encoder board mounting screw Azimuth encoder board
Figure 2. Exploded view of the Dobsonian base.
Figure 3. Installing the azimuth encoder board. Line up the large
hole in the encoder board with the central hole in the top baseplate.

2. Assembly

Now that you have unpacked the boxes and familiarized yourself with all the parts in front of you, its time to begin assembly. The optics of the telescope are already installed in the tube, so most of the required assembly concerns the Dobsonian base.

Figure 4. To connect the baseplates, tilt them only slightly, as shown.
Do not place them on their side. (a) Use one wrench to hold the hex nut steady (b) while turning the other end of the azimuth axis screw.
Installing the Vertical Stop Place the nylon spacer (white) and the three flat washers onto the shaft of the vertical stop screw. Thread the vertical stop into the threaded hole on the inside of front panel until tight (Figure 7). The position of the vertical stop is adjustable

Encoder connector board

Screws Figure 6. Attaching the encoder connector board. (XT10 Shown) by adding or removing washers. This is important when using the optional IntelliScope Computerized Object Locator, since the optical tube must be exactly vertical during the two-star alignment procedure. Installing the Eyepiece Rack The aluminum eyepiece rack is a standard accessory on SkyQuest IntelliScope Dobsonians. It holds three 1.25" eyepieces and one 2" eyepiece (three 1.25" eyepieces on the XT6) in a convenient place on the base, within easy reach while youre observing. A 1.25" barlow lens also can be held in the rack. A few inches down from the top of the front brace panel you will notice two predrilled starter holes, about 6" apart. Thread the black wood screws into the starter holes with a Phillips screwdriver. Then you can keyhole the eyepiece rack onto the wood screws and continue tightening the screws (Figure 8). If you want to be able to remove the rack, do not tighten the screws too tightly. Be certain that the screws are loose enough that you can lift the rack and remove it from the screws through the larger part of the keyhole. If you want to have the rack permanently attached, tighten the screws. You may find it easier to carry the base by the handle if the eyepiece rack is removed. Placing the Optical Tube on the Dobsonian Base Lift the optical tube and gently place it into the Dobsonian base so that the altitude bearings on either side of the tube rest on the bearing cylinders. Orient the optical tube as shown in Figure 9. Make certain that the optical tube does not get
Figure 8. Using the two supplied screws, install the aluminum
eyepiece rack in the predrilled holes near the top of the front baseplate.
hung up on the vertical bumper stop or the CorrecTension pads as you put it in place. Be careful when placing the tube on the bearings, since if it is inserted at the wrong angle the hub can strike the encoder connector board and potentially damage it. Once on the bearing cylinders, the tube should Figure 9. Lift the optical
tube and place it into the Dobsonian base so that the altitude bearings rest on the bearing cylinders. Orient the optical tube as shown. Do not bump the encoder connector board or vertical stop when installing the optical tube.

One of the great benefits of the SkyQuest XT IntelliScope Dobsonian is its ability to point to more than 14,000 celestial objects, when used with the optional IntelliScope Computerized Object Locator (Controller). Use of the Controller is completely optional, and your telescope will function perfectly well without it. However, the Controller will greatly enhance your observing experience by enabling you to quickly and precisely locate even very faint objects. For more about IntelliScope Controller functionality, see Section 6. Before using your SkyQuest telescope for the first time at night, we recommend getting a feel for its basic functions during daylight hours. Find a spot outdoors where you have a clear view of some object or landmark that is at least 1/4-mile away. It is not critical that the base be exactly level, but it should be placed on somewhat flat ground or pavement to ensure smooth movement of the telescope. Remember, never point the telescope at or near the Sun without using a proper solar filter over the front aperture! Altitude and Azimuth Motion The SkyQuests Dobsonian base permits smooth motion of the telescope along two axes: altitude (up/down) and azimuth
Figure 14. 2" eyepiece adapter
The SkyQuest Intelliscope has two axes of motion; altitude (up/down) and azimuth (left/right).
1.25" eyepiece adapter

Altitude

Focus lock thumbscrew Focus knobs Collimation screw pair (3) Azimuth
Figure 13. The 2" focuser of the SkyQuest IntelliScope XT8 and
(left/right) (Figure 14). For altitude motion, the altitude bearings on the telescope tube glide on pairs of bearing cylinders made from ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene. For azimuth motion, the top baseplate moves on three Teflon bearing pads embedded in the ground baseplate. To move the telescope, simply take hold of the navigation knob and gently move the tube up or down and left or right as desired. Both motions can be made simultaneously and in a continuous manner for easy aiming. When the telescope is pointed high in altitude, rotating the tube in azimuth can cause the base to tip because of the reduced leverage. In this case it is helpful to place your other hand on the base or the optical tube to help guide the tube. Setting the Altitude Tension Level The telescope should move smoothly with just gentle hand pressure. While azimuth friction is not adjustable, the altitude friction can be adjusted to the desired level by turning the altitude tension knob (Figure 10). Note that altitude tension knob is the knob just above the IntelliScope Controller Port. The knob on the opposite side of the base is merely a retaining knob; it does not affect altitude tension. Adjustable tension is a feature of the SkyQuests exclusive springless CorrecTension Friction Optimization system. CorrecTension adds just the right amount of friction to keep the telescope tube in proper balance, even when other accessories are added on, such as a barlow lens or a heavier eyepiece. A good way to set the altitude tension is to point the telescope at about a 45 angle with the eyepiece and finder scope removed. Loosen the altitude tension knob until the front of the optical tube starts to drift upward. As it does so, tighten the tension knob just enough to make the tube stop drifting (Figure 15). When the eyepiece and finder scope are replaced, the motion should be ideal -- not too stiff, not too loose.

You will want to be able to track the motion of celestial objects while viewing them by making small movements of the telescope without experiencing jerking (too much tension) or overshooting of the desired position (too little tension). Focusing the Telescope With the 25mm Sirius Plssl eyepiece in the focuser and secured with the thumbscrew(s), move the telescope so the front (open) end is pointing in the general direction of an object at least 1/4-mile away. Now, with your fingers, slowly rotate one of the focusing knobs until the object comes into sharp focus. Go a little bit beyond sharp focus until the image just starts to blur again, then reverse the rotation of the knob, just to make sure you've hit the exact focus point. If you have trouble focusing, rotate the focusing knob so the drawtube is in as far as it will go. Now look through the eyepiece while slowly rotating the focusing knob in the opposite direction. You should soon see the point at which focus is reached. Note About the Focuser Drawtube Lock Knob The focusers of the XT8 and XT10 feature a drawtube lock knob. There are times when you may want to lock the drawtube to preserve the focus setting (such as when using certain afocal photographic attachments). This is done by turning the focus lock knob (Figure 13) clockwise until it is tight. The focus setting will now be locked. When you need to adjust the focus again, be sure to loosen the lock knob. The XT6 does not have a focus lock; instead it has a drawtube tension thumbscrew. It can be used to increase or decrease the amount of tension on the drawtube. If you feel the drawtube is moving too loosely when you turn the focusing knob, or if focusing feels too tight, make adjustments by turning the thumbscrew. Do not loosen it too much as there must be some tension to keep the drawtube secure in the focuser. Viewing with Eyeglasses If you wear eyeglasses, you may be able to keep them on while you observe, if your eyepieces have enough eye relief to allow you to see the whole field of view. You can try this by looking through the eyepiece first with your glasses on and then with them off, and see if the glasses restrict the view to only a portion of the full field. If they do, you can easily observe with your glasses off by just refocusing the telescope the needed amount. If you suffer from severe astigmatism, however, you may find images noticeably sharper with your glasses on. Aligning the Finder Scope The finder scope must be aligned accurately with the telescope for proper use. To align it, first aim the main telescope in the general direction of an object at least 1/4-mile away the top of a telephone pole, a chimney, etc. Position that object in the center of the telescopes eyepiece. The finder scope uses a spring-loaded bracket that makes alignment of the finderscope very easy. As you turn either of the thumbscrews, the spring in the brackets tensioner moves in and out to keep the finder scope secure in the bracket.

Naked-eye view

View through finder scope and telescope

Magnification=

Figure 16. The view through a standard finder scope and reflector telescope is upside down. This is true for the SkyQuest Intelliscope and its finder scope as well. Focusing the Finder Scope The finder scope with your SkyQuest IntelliScope has adjustable focus. If the images in the finder appear somewhat out of focus, you will need to refocus the finder scope for your vision. Loosen the lock ring located behind the objective lens cell on the body of the finder scope (see Figure 12a). Back
Telescope Focal Length (mm) Eyepiece Focal Length (mm)
All three SkyQuest IntelliScope Dobsonian models have a focal length of 1200mm. So, the magnification with the supplied 25mm eyepiece is: 1200 mm = 48x 25 mm The magnification provided by the 10mm eyepiece is:
1200 mm = 120x 10 mm The maximum attainable magnification for a telescope is directly related to how much light its optics can collect. A telescope with more light-collecting area, or aperture, can yield higher magnifications than a smaller-aperture telescope. The maximum practical magnification for any telescope, regardless of optical design, is about 60x per inch of aperture. This translates to about 360x for the SkyQuest XT6, 480x for the XT8, and 600x for the XT10. Of course, such magnifications will only yield reasonable images if atmospheric conditions are favorable. More typically, useful magnifications will be limited to 200x or less, regardless of aperture. This is because the Earths seeing, the atmosphere will be still and will yield the least amount of distortion. On nights of poor seeing, the atmosphere will be turbulent, which means different densities of air are rapidly mixing. This causes significant distortion of the incoming light, which prevents sharp views at high magnifications. Keep in mind that as magnification is increased, the brightness of the object being viewed will decrease; this is an inherent principle of the physics of optics and cannot be avoided. If magnification is doubled, an image appears four times dimmer. If magnification is tripled, image brightness is reduced by a factor of nine! Use of 2-Inch Eyepieces (XT8 and XT10 only) All SkyQuest telescopes are designed to accept eyepieces with a barrel diameter of 1.25". The XT8 and XT10 have 2" focusers that accept both 1.25" and optional 2" eyepieces. At low magnifications, 2" eyepieces can provide a wider field of view than standard 1.25" eyepieces. A wider field can be desirable for viewing extended deep-sky objects that are too large to fit within a narrower field of view. To use 2" eyepieces, simply loosen the two large thumbscrews on the 2" adapter that are just in front of the thumbscrew that holds the provided 1.25" adapter in place. Once these thumbscrews are loosened the adapter comes off, exposing the 2" diameter focuser drawtube Now, insert your 2" eyepiece into the drawtube and secure with the two thumbscrews loosened previously, and youre ready to observe. Tube Balance SkyQuest IntelliScope Dobsonians are designed to balance with standard supplied accessories, such as an eyepiece and a finder scope. But what if you want to use a larger finder scope or a heavier eyepiece? Traditional Dobsonian designs require the user to compensate by adding weight to the opposite end of the telescope tube. Such counterweighting systems can be expensive and unwieldy. The CorrecTension system of the SkyQuest IntelliScope Dobsonians, however, solves the finicky balance problem. The brake pads press against the altitude bearings on the optical tube and increase the friction. With CorrecTension, the added weight of front-end loads will not adversely affect the balance of the telescope. Simply tighten the tensioning knob to balance any extra load.

Carrying the Telescope Transporting the SkyQuest is easy to do. The tube uncouples from the base and each component can be carried separately. The base has a handle for easy carrying. With the retaining and tensioning knobs of the CorrecTension(XT) system holding the optical tube captive on the base, the entire telescope can be carried as one unit. (This is not practical for the XT10 due to its hefty weight and size.) This requires some caution, however. If the telescope is lifted improperly, the tube could swing down and hit the ground. First, point the optical tube straight up (vertical). Remove any eyepieces from the telescope and eyepiece rack, and place them in an eyepiece case. Grasp the handle on the front of the base with one hand while supporting the telescope tube vertically with the other (Figure 17). Now, lift the telescope by the handle. Once the telescope is in the horizontal position, you can carry the entire unit with one hand while supporting the optical tube with the other hand. If you wish to carry the optical tube and base separately, simply unthread the retaining and tensioning knobs until they are free of the base and optical tube (make certain spacer does not fall off the retaining knob). Lift the tube off the base then Figure 17. Picking up and carrying the SkyQuest IntelliScope as a single unit (with tube held captive on the base) requires some caution. (a) First, position the tube vertically. Then grasp the handle on the base with one hand while supporting the tube with the other. This ensures that the tube will not swing down and impact the ground (b) With knees bent, slowly lift the base while supporting the tube. (c) As you lift, continue to support the tube with one hand to keep it parallel with the ground. Make sure you are comfortable with the weight of the whole assembly before attempting the carry it!
rethread the knobs back into the bearings so that you do not lose them. Do not use the navigation knob as a carry handle! It is not designed to support the weight of the telescope tube and could break off or damage the tube. Note: The SkyQuest may be too heavy for some users to lift and carry as one unit. Do not strain yourself! If the load seems too heavy, carry the base and tube separately. When putting the SkyQuest into a vehicle, common sense prevails. It is especially important that the optical tube does not get knocked around; this can cause the optics to become misaligned, and could dent the tube. We recommend transporting and storing the tube assembly in an optional padded case for proper protection.

light. It is a good idea to check the collimation of your telescope before each observing session and make any necessary adjustments. To check collimation, remove the eyepiece and look down the focuser drawtube. You should see the secondary mirror centered in the drawtube, as well as the reflection of the primary mirror centered in the secondary mirror, and the reflection of the secondary mirror (and your eye) centered in the reflection of the primary mirror, as depicted in Figure 18a. If anything is off-center, as in Figure 18b, proceed with the following collimation procedure. The Collimation Cap and Mirror Center Mark Your SkyQuest telescope comes with a quick collimation cap. This is a simple cap that fits on the focuser drawtube like a dust cap, but has a hole in the center and a reflective inner surface. The cap helps center your eye so that collimation is easier to perform. Figures 18b through 18e assume you have the collimation cap in place. As an additional aid in collimation, the primary mirror of every SkyQuest telescope has a tiny adhesive ring marking its exact center. This center ring will not affect the images you see when observing with the telescope in any way (since it lies directly in the shadow of the secondary mirror), but will greatly facilitate collimation when using the supplied collimation cap or other, more sophisticated collimation devices such as the Orion LaserMate Laser Collimator. The center ring need not be removed from the primary mirror!
4. Alignment (Collimation) of the Optical System
To get the sharpest images, your telescopes optical system must be in precise alignment. The process of aligning the primary and secondary mirrors with each other and with the mechanical axis of the telescope is called collimation. Your telescopes optical system was collimated at the factory and will probably not need any further adjustment. But rough handling during shipment can knock the optics out of alignment, in which case you will need to recollimate the system. Collimation is relatively easy to do and can be done in day-
Note: 10" model has 4 mirror clips
Figure 18. Collimating the optics. (a) When the mirrors are properly aligned, the view down the focuser drawtube should look like this. (b) With the collimation cap in place, if the optics are out of alignment, the view might look something like this. (c) Here, the secondary mirror is centered under the focuser, but it needs to be adjusted (tilted) so that the entire primary mirror is visible. (d) The secondary mirror is correctly aligned, but the primary mirror still needs adjustment. When the primary mirror is correctly aligned, the dot will be centered, as in (e). 12

Even at partial phases the Moon is very bright. Use of an optional Moon filter to helps to dim the glare. It simply threads onto the bottom of the eyepiece. Youll find the Moon filter improves viewing comfort, and helps bring out the subtle features of the lunar surface. B. The Sun You can change your nighttime telescope into a daytime Sun viewer by installing an optional full-aperture solar filter over the front opening of the telescope. The primary attraction is sunspots, which change shape, appearance, and location daily. Sunspots are directly related to magnetic activity in the Sun. Many observers like to make drawings of sunspots to monitor how the Sun is changing from day to day. Important Note: Do not look at the Sun with any optical instrument without a professionally made solar filter, or permanent eye damage could result. Also, be sure to cover the finder scope, or better yet, remove it altogether. C. The Planets The planets dont stay put like the stars, so to find them you should refer to Sky Calendar at our website telescope.com, or to charts published monthly in Astronomy, Sky & Telescope, or other astronomy magazines. Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn are the brightest objects in the sky after the Sun and the Moon. Your SkyQuest IntelliScope is capable of showing you these planets in some detail. Other planets may be visible but will likely appear starlike. Because planets are quite small in apparent size, optional higher power eyepieces are recommended and often needed for detailed observations. Not all the planets are generally visible at any one time. JUPITER The largest planet, Jupiter, is a great subject for observation. You can see the disk of the giant planet and watch the ever-changing positions of its four largest moon: Io, Callisto, Europa, and Ganymede. Higher power eyepieces should bring out the cloud bands on the planets disk and the Great Red Spot. SATURN The ringed planet is a breathtaking sight. The tilt angle of the rings varies over a period of many years; sometimes they are seen edge-on, while at other times they are broadside and look like giant ears on each side of Saturns disk. A steady atmosphere (good seeing) is necessary for a good view. Look closely and you should see the Cassini division, a thin, dark gap in the rings. You should also see one or more of Saturns moons, which look like faint stars. The brightest is the moon Titan. VENUS At its brightest, Venus is the most luminous object in the sky, excluding the Sun and the Moon. It is so bright that sometimes it is visible to the naked eye during full daylight! Ironically, Venus appears as a thin crescent, not a full disk, when at its peak brightness. Because it is so close to the Sun, it never wanders too far from the morning or evening horizon. No surface markings can be seen on Venus, which is always shrouded in dense clouds. MARS The Red Planet makes a close approach to Earth every two years. Observing Mars is most favorable at these times. You should see salmon-colored disk with some distinct

the IntelliScope port on the telescopes 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 Controllers illuminated liquid crystal display and move the telescope in the corresponding direction. In seconds the object will be waiting in the telescopes field of view, ready to observe. Its 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 youre able to locate and view more objects in an evening that you ever could before. The IntelliScope controller works by communicating electronically with a pair of high-resolution, 9,216-step digital encoders, one of which will reside on one of the telescopes side bearing (this encoder is included with the optional IntelliScope controller), the other of which you installed during assembly of the base. The encoders allow highly precise positioning of the telescope to coordinates programmed into the IntelliScope controllers 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 without 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 number (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 button. 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 controllers database. The backlit, two-line liquid crystal display on the controller shows you the objects catalog number, its common name if it has one, the constellation in which it resides, its right ascension 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 objects location. As the telescope approaches the objects

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 changes 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. Your SkyQuest IntelliScope requires very little mechanical maintenance. The optical tube is steel and has a smooth 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 a household cleaner. Cleaning Eyepiece Lenses Any quality optical lens cleaning tissue and optical lens cleaning fluid specifically designed for multi-coated optics can be used to clean the exposed lenses of your eyepieces or finder 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. On larger lenses, clean only a small area at a time, using a fresh lens tissue on each area. Never reuse tissues. Cleaning Mirrors You should not have to clean the telescopes mirrors very often; normally once every few years or so. Covering the telescope with the dust cover 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 flecks of paint have virtually no adverse effect on the visual performance of the telescope. The large primary mirror and the elliptical secondary mirror of your telescope are front-surface aluminized and over-coated with hard silicon dioxide, which prevents the aluminum from oxidizing. These coatings normally last through many years of

8. Specifications

SkyQuest XT6 IntelliScope Primary mirror:150mm diameter, parabolic, center-marked Focal length: 1200mm Focal ratio: f/8.0 Focuser:Rack-and-pinion. 1.25" eyepieces Altitude bearing diameter: 5.75" Optical tube material: Rolled steel Azimuth pad material: Teflon Altitude bearing material: Ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene Eyepieces: 25mm & 10mm Sirius Plssl, multi-coated, 1.25" barrel diameter Eyepiece magnification: 48x and 120x Finder scope: 6x power, 30mm aperture, achromat, crosshair. 7 field of view Eyepiece rack: Holds three 1.25" eyepieces Mirror coatings: Aluminum with SiO2 overcoat Minor axis of secondary mirror: 34.5mm Optical tube weight: 20.9 lbs. Base weight: 13.5 lbs. Tube length: 45.5" Tube outer diameter: 7.25" IntelliScope Computerized Object Locator: Optional SkyQuest XT8 IntelliScope Primary mirror: 203mm diameter, parabolic, center marked Focal length: 1200mm Focal ratio: f/5.9 Focuser: Rack-and-pinion. Accepts 2" and 1.25" eyepieces with included adapter Altitude bearing diameter: 5.75" Optical tube material: Rolled steel Azimuth pad material: Teflon Altitude bearing material: Ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene Eyepieces: 25mm & 10mm Sirius Plssl, multi-coated, 1.25" barrel diameter Eyepiece magnifications: 48x and 120x Finder scope: 9x power, 50mm aperture, achromat, crosshair, 5 field of view Eyepiece rack: Holds three 1.25" eyepieces and one 2" eyepiece Mirror coatings: Aluminum with SiO2 overcoat Minor axis of secondary mirror: 47.0mm Optical tube weight: 20.3 lbs. Base weight: 21.3 lbs. Tube length: 46.5" Tube outer diameter: 9.25" IntelliScope Computerized Object Locator: Optional 19 SkyQuest XT10 IntelliScope Primary mirror: 254mm diameter, Pyrex, parabolic, centermarked Focal length: 1200mm Focal ratio: f/4.7 Focuser: Rack-and-pinion. Accepts 2" and 1.25" eyepieces with included adapter Altitude bearing diameter: 5.75" Optical tube material: Rolled steel Azimuth pad material: Teflon Altitude bearing material: Ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene Eyepieces: 25mm & 10mm Sirius Plssl, multi-coated, 1.25" barrel diameter Eyepiece magnifications: 48x and 120x Finder scope: 9x power, 50mm aperture, achromat, crosshair. 5 field of view Eyepiece rack: Holds three 1.25" eyepieces and one 2" eyepiece Mirror coatings: Aluminum with SiO2 overcoat Minor axis of secondary mirror: 63.0mm Optical tube weight: 28.9 lbs. Base weight: 26.3 lbs. Tube length: 47.25" Tube outer diameter: 12.0" IntelliScope Computerized Object Locator: Optional

One-Year Limited Warranty
This Orion SkyQuest IntelliScope Dobsonian Reflecting Telescope is warranted against defects in materials or workmanship for a period of one year from the date of purchase. This warranty is for the benefit of the original retail purchaser only. During this warranty period Orion Telescopes & Binoculars will repair or replace, at Orions option, any warranted instrument that proves to be defective, provided it is returned postage paid to: Orion Warranty Repair, 89 Hangar Way, Watsonville, CA 95076. If the product is not registered, proof of purchase (such as a copy of the original invoice) is required. This warranty does not apply if, in Orions judgment, the instrument has been abused, mishandled, or modified, nor does it apply to normal wear and tear. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights, which vary from state to state. For further warranty service information, contact: Customer Service Department, Orion Telescopes & Binoculars, P. O. Box 1815, Santa Cruz, CA 95061; (800) 676-1343.
Orion Telescopes & Binoculars
Post Office Box 1815, Santa Cruz, CA 95061
Customer Support Help Line (800) 676-1343 Day or Evening