How do I use the visual back and star diagonal with my NexStar SE Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope?

» Support Center » Knowledgebase » How do I use the visual back and star diagonal with my NexStar SE Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope?

	How do I use the visual back and star diagonal with my NexStar SE Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope?

Answer Your NexStar SE Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope (SCT) has threads on the back of the tube to accept accessories for visual and photographic use.

The major accessory for visual use with a SCT is called the visual back. It screws right on to these threads on the back of the tube and allows you to use standard 1-1/4” eyepieces. Two setscrews hold accessories in the visual back.

While you can put an eyepiece directly in the visual back, most of the time you want to use a star diagonal, diagonal for short, which is a prism or mirror in a double-ended tube that allows more comfortable views looking down or sideways instead of straight through the back of the SCT. One end goes into the visual back, the other end holds your eyepiece in place with a setscrew or setscrews.

NOTE: Be careful not to unscrew the telescope end of the diagonal by turning it when the setscrews of the visual back are tightened. The same thing goes for the eyepiece tube, which may become loose when turned in the diagonal if the diagonal’s setscrews are tightened.

Article Details

Article ID:

1955

Created On:

Oct 28 2008 02:06 PM