Carson SK-100 SkeleScope 76mm f/4.7 Alt-Az Reflector User Manual

SKELESCOPE

REFLECTOR TELESCOPE WITH TABLE TOP TRIPOD

SK-100 INSTRUCTION MANUAL

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

Box Contents / Visual Key Diagram

Telescope Assembly

4-5

• Setting up Your Telescope

• Attaching Tripod Legs to Mount

• Attaching Telescope to Mount

• Attaching Eyepieces

Using the Telescope

5-7

Calculating Power

Care and Maintenance of Your Telescope

Specications

Warnings

Customer Service

Warranty Information

9-10

Congratulations on your purchase of a Carson SK-100 SkeleScope

TM

telescope. This telescope features an easy-to-use design that is perfect

for beginning astronomers looking to explore the wonders of outer

space and the world around them. Please read this manual carefully

to ensure that you assemble and use your telescope correctly. When

used properly, your Skelescope

TM

telescope should provide years of

exciting observations of space and terrestrial objects alike.

IMPORTANT: DO NOT USE YOUR SKELESCOPE

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TELESCOPE TO

LOOK AT OR NEAR THE SUN! DOING SO WILL CAUSE INSTANT

AND PERMANENT EYE DAMAGE.

TUBELESS

OPTICAL

ASSEMBLY

ROTATE

AZIMUTH

POSITION

BOX CONTENTS

 • Tubeless optical assembly

 • Tabletop tripod with mount

 • 10mm Kellner eyepiece (1.25” O.D.)

 • 25mm Kellner eyepiece (1.25” O.D.)

Please unpack your telescope carefully and make sure that all

accessories are included in the box.

VISUAL KEY DIAGRAM

TELESCOPE ASSEMBLY

Setting Up Your Telescope:

• Carefully remove the components from the box.

Attaching Tripod Legs To Mount:

• Twist each tripod leg into corresponding holes in mount. 

Do not overtighten.

• Rotate rubber feet so that the at portion is ush to the table.

Attaching Telescope To Mount:

• Remove altitude lock knob.

• Align top hole in mount with screw hole in mounting bracket. Make

sure eyepiece is pointing upward.

• Insert altitude lock knob through top hole in mount and screw into

hole in mounting bracket until secure. Do not overtighten.

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TELESCOPE ASSEMBLY CONT.

Attaching Eyepieces:

• Loosen thumbscrew in focuser.

• Select an eyepiece and insert into focuser.

• Tighten thumbscrew to secure eyepiece in place. Do not overtighten

as it may damage eyepiece.

• Make sure to loosen thumbscrew before removing eyepieces from

focuser.

USING THE TELESCOPE

Once you have properly assembled your telescope you are ready to

start using it. Please refer to the visual key diagram while reading

these instructions.

First, place your telescope on a stable surface. Make sure all rubber

feet on tripod are rotated so the at section is ush to the surface.

• Remove the rubber dust cover from the primary mirror and set aside.

• Insert the desired eyepiece. It is best to use the lowest power eye-

piece (the Kellner 25mm eyepiece) at rst. This allows for a wider eld 

of view making it easier to locate objects. Once the viewing object is 

visible, focused and centered in the eld of view you can switch the 

eyepiece to the higher magnication. 

• T o locate an object using the telescope, rst loosen the altitude lock 

knob allowing the telescope to rotate freely along both axes.

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USING THE TELESCOPE CONT.

• Aim the tubeless optical assembly at your desired target by rotating

the azimuth position left or right. Look through the eyepiece at the

desired target, and make altitude adjustments by moving the tube-

less optical assembly vertically by hand. When the altitude direction 

is aligned, you may retighten the altitude lock knob.

• Once the object is centered in the eld of view, turn the focuser until

the image is clear and sharp.

• For best results, position your eye as close as possible to the eyepiece

lens. This is especially important when using the higher power 10mm

eyepiece.

• Replace dust cover on primary mirror when not in use.

There are many conditions that may aect your ability to focus or

observe celestial objects clearly.

• Brightly lit areas (light pollution) will make it dicult to see faint

objects in the sky. It will also make it dicult for your eyes to adjust

to the dark. You should try and nd a dark area and allow your eyes

to adjust to the dark before making observations. Using a red ltered 

ashlight to view charts and your telescope components is recom-

mended to preserve your night sight. The best viewing conditions 

are when the sky is inky black.

• Hazy skies, pollution, clouds and moisture can all aect the clarity of

your viewing image.

• Due to the tubeless construction of this telescope, the primary and

secondary mirrors are exposed to possible dust, debris and nger-

prints. Be careful to avoid touching these mirrors and exposing them

to excessive debris. Refer to the Care and Maintenance section of 

this manual for instructions on how to clean your telescope. Always

replace the dust cover over primary mirror when not in use.

• Avoid touching the eyepiece or optical assembly while looking

through the telescope. The vibrations caused by this contact will

cause the object you are looking at to move. You should also make

sure that the surface you place your telescope on does not vibrate or

move as this will also cause your viewing object to move.

• You should avoid setting up your telescope inside a room looking

through an open window. The dierence in air temperatures may

result in a blurry image.

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USING THE TELESCOPE CONT.

• Viewing through a closed window might also result in a distorted

image due to the varying densities of window glass.

• Avoid viewing objects that are low on the horizon. Objects that are

higher up in the sky will appear much sharper.s to the new tempera-

ture before using it.

• Sudden changes in temperature may cause condensation to appear

on the optical components of the telescope. It is best to set up your

telescope ahead of time and then wait while the telescope adjusts to

the new temperature before using it.

CALCULATING POWER

The magnication of a telescope depends on both the focal length

of your telescope as well as the eyepiece you use. There is a simple

formula you can use to determine the magnication you are using at

any given time. Simply divide the focal length of the telescope by the

focal length of the eyepiece. There are two possible magnication

settings for your SK-100 telescope:

Power = 360mm / 25mm = 14.4x

Power = 360mm / 10mm = 36x

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CARE AND MAINTENANCE

• The primary mirror and secondary mirror must remain precisely

aligned in order for this telescope to work properly. Avoid dropping

or jarring the telescope, or moving the mirrors by hand.

• Always replace dust covers and lens caps and store in box when not

in use. This will minimize the amount of dust and debris that gets

into your telescope.

• Cleaning should be performed only if absolutely necessary. Be

careful to avoid touching the internal mirrors and exposing them to

excessive debris. In the event that these mirrors become dirty, rst

use compressed air to remove dust and debris. If any debris or n-

gerprints remain, use a soft lens cloth or cotton balls with very light

pressure and warm water to remove them. A mixture of water and

dish soap may be used to remove any stubborn debris. Be careful not

to scrub the surface of the mirror or use any abrasive material, harsh

chemicals or solvent as this may damage the surface of the mirror.

• If dew collects on the optics of your telescope or moisture condenses

on the optics, remove all accessories and place the telescope in a

dry, dust free environment and point the telescope downward. This 

should help eliminate the moisture.

• Do not attempt to take apart your telescope to clean it.

SPECIFICATIONS

Optical Design: Reector

Aperture:  76mm

Focal Length:  360mm

Eyepiece 1:  Kellner 25mm

Magnication 1: 14.4x

Eyepiece 2:  Kellner 10mm

Magnication 2: 36x

Weight: 1.3 lbs.

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WARNINGS

• Never use this telescope to look directly at or near the sun.

Viewing the sun can cause instant and irreversible eye damage.

• Always supervise children when using this telescope.

• Do not leave telescope unattended at any time. Untrained adults or

children may not be familiar with the correct operating procedure.

• Do not point the telescope at the sun even when you are not looking

through it. This will cause internal damage to the telescope.

• Handle this telescope with care. Rough handling might knock the

internal optical components out of alignment.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

We will be happy to help you with any problems you may

experience while using your telescope.

Please call our toll-free customer service line at 1-800-967-8427.

WARRANTY INFORMATION

• This Carson product is warranted to be free from defects in material

and workmanship for a period of one year from date of purchase.

During this period Carson will, at its option and without charge, either

repair any part or assembly of parts found to be defective in mate-

rial or workmanship, or replace this Carson product with a Carson

product of comparable value and condition, subject to the limitations

and exclusions noted herein. This warranty extends to the original

purchaser only and is not assignable or transferable. It shall not apply

to any product that has been subject to misuse, abuse, negligence or

accident, or to any defects or damage directly or indirectly caused by

the use of unauthorized replacement parts and/or service performed

by unauthorized personnel. This warranty gives you specic legal

rights, and you may also have other rights which could vary from

state to state. Some states do not allow limitations on the life of an

implied warranty and/or do not allow excluding or limiting incidental

or consequential damages. If so, the above limitations or exclusions

may not apply to you.

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WARRANTY INFORMATION CONT.

• Provide proof of purchase. A receipt or other dated proof of purchase

must be included with merchandise being returned for a warranty

claim to be processed. Call or write for authorization. Before return-

ing any product for a warranty claim, a Return Authorization (RA)

number must be obtained. No merchandise will be accepted without

an RA, and failure to obtain an RA will prevent or delay processing

of the warranty claim. To obtain an RA call 631-963-5000, or write to

Carson Warranty Service, 2070 5th Avenue, Ronkonkoma NY, 11779

with a description of the problem. Include your name, address and

telephone number. Package the return carefully. Shippers will not

reimburse for damages due to insucient packaging, even if the

merchandise is insured. Print the RA number prominently on the

top of the package. Prepay shipping. Insure the package. Send it to

Carson Warranty Service, 2070 5th Avenue, Ronkonkoma NY, 11779.

Merchandise must be shipped prepaid. Carson will not accept mer-

chandise C.O.D.

CARSON®

Carson | 2070 5th Avenue | Ronkonkoma, New York 11779

Phone: 631-963-5000 | Fax: 631-427-6749

For information, call toll-free: 1-800-967-8427

[email protected] | [email protected] | www.carson.com

Carson SK-100 SkeleScope 76mm f/4.7 Alt-Az Reflector Telescope

Product's Documents

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Specifications

Carson SK-100 Questions and Answers