Levenhuk Strike 90 PLUS [14/28] Balancing the telescope

Eyepiece Power Power with 3x Barlow lens

6 mm 100x 300x

20 mm 30x 90x

F6.8-F16 mm 88x-37.5x 264x-112.5x

Getting the most from your telescope

Take the time to become familiar with your new telescope. Learn the names of various parts and accessories, where they have to

go and what they do. It is easier to do this in daylight.

Before beginning your observations, take the telescope outside for around 30 minutes. This allows the telescope to adapt to the

outside air temperature and perform at its best during observations.

Try to set up your telescope in an area sheltered from wind. Move as far away from the city lights as possible. The best conditions

for observations include still air and clear nights when stars are out and shine brightly with little or no twinkling.

When beginning your observations, use low power eyepieces to take advantage of the wider eld of view and higher contrast of

the image. High power eyepieces are best used on nights when viewing conditions are perfect for detailed observations.

R.A. Balancing

1. Before balancing, make sure the telescope is securely attached to the mount.

2. While holding the telescope with one hand, loosen the R.A. and Dec. lock knobs with the other. Rotate the telescope until the

counterweight is horizontal to the ground

3. Tighten the Dec. lock knob.

4. Loosen the counterweight thumbscrew and move the counterweight along the rod until the telescope is balanced and remains

stationary when released.

5. Tighten the counterweight thumbscrew. Now your telescope is perfectly balanced.

Dec. Balancing

1. Tighten the R.A. lock knob when the counterweight rod is horizontal to the ground.

2. While holding the telescope with one hand, loosen the Dec. lock knob with the other.

3. Loosen the telescope tube rings and slide the telescope forward or

backward until it is balanced even when you release the telescope tube. Tighten the tube rings the Dec. lock knob.

Polar alignment

The equatorial mount allows for compensating the rotation of Earth around its axis and easily tracking celestial objects during

observations. To achieve this, the R.A. axis has to be aligned to the rotation axis of Earth. This process is known as polar

alignment.

Look north and nd Polaris. As it is located within 1° of the rotation axis of Earth (North Celestial Pole), you will be aligning your

telescope to this star.

Balancing the telescope

The telescope should be balanced before each observing session. Balancing reduces stress on the mount and allows precise

micro-adjustment control.