CELESTRON

SkyPortal WiFi Module

THE SKYPORTAL APP

Celestron provides a free planetarium application, SkyPortal. You can control your telescope mount via the SkyPortal app and this SkyPortal WiFi Module. The app is available as a free download in the Apple App Store and Google Play.

CHOOSING A CONNECTION METHOD

The SkyPortal WiFi Module allows you to connect to your telescope in two ways. Direct Connect Mode is useful when you are in the field and you just want to connect your phone to the WiFi signal coming from the WiFi Module. This is the fastest and simplest way to connect. However, this method will eliminate your ability to connect your phone to the internet for other uses. If you want to maintain internet access on your device while connected to your telescope, you will need to connect using WLAN Access Point Mode.

CONNECTING TO THE SKYPORTAL WIFI MODULE USING DIRECT CONNECT MODE

1. Slide the Mode Select switch into the Direct Connect position as shown in the figure below.
2. Plug the Celestron SkyPortal WiFi Module into an available “AUX” port on your telescope mount. Alternatively, you may unplug the hand control and replace it with your WiFi Module.
3. Turn on the mount. After a short delay, the Connection Status lamp will begin flashing.
4. Open the Settings menu on your mobile device and choose WiFi options.
5. Choose the network named “Celestron-###”. The Connection Status lamp will flash more slowly when your mobile device’s network is connected.

CONFIGURING YOUR WIRELESS LOCAL AREA NETWORK (WLAN) FOR WLAN ACCESS POINT MODE

1. Connect your phone to your WiFi Module in Direct Connect mode as described above.
2. Open the Celestron SkyPortal app.
3. Tap the telescope icon on your screen, then tap Connect.
4. Tap the Settings button (gear icon).
5. Select Communication.
6. Select Configure Access Point.
7. Enter the SSID and Password for your wireless network.
8. Tap Send Configuration.
9. Return to the previous menu and tap Use Access Point.

CONNECTING TO THE SKYPORTAL WIFI MODULE USING WLAN ACCESS POINT MODE

1. Slide the Mode Select switch to the WLAN (Access Point) position as shown in the figure.
2.  The WiFi Module will attempt to authenticate with the wireless network automatically. When authentication is successful, the Connection Status lamp will flash slowly.
3. Open the settings menu on your mobile device and choose WiFi options.
4.  Select the network SSID used in step 7 of Configuring your WLAN for WLAN Access Point Mode (previously stated).

USING THE SKYPORTAL APP TO FIND OBJECTS IN THE SKY AND TRACK THEM WITH YOUR TELESCOPE

1.  Connect to your WiFi Module using Direct Connect mode or WLAN (Access Point) mode.
2. Open the Celestron SkyPortal app.
3. Tap the telescope icon on your screen, then tap Connect and Align. When SkyPortal identifies your mount, the application will emit a chime and the Connection Status lamp will stop flashing.
4. Confirm the location and time on your screen.
5. Follow the in-app instructions to complete an alignment.
6. With a completed alignment, you can select objects in the SkyPortal app and tap GOTO to have the mount center that object in your eyepiece. The mount will track objects to keep them centered in the eyepiece.

INDICATOR LAMPS

• Mode: On for Direct Connect mode; Off for WLAN mode.
• Connection Status: Fast flashing when no network is found; Slow flashing when a network connection is established with the phone or WLAN; On when the app is connected.
• Activity: Flashing indicates network activity

CELESTRON

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celestron.com/pages/technical-support
Telephone: 1(800) 421-9649
2835 Columbia Street • Torrance, CA 90503 USA
Designed and intended for those 14 years of age and older. 03-19

CELESTRON StarSense Explorer DX User Guide

Quick Setup Guide:

1. Unpack your telescope and verify that all parts are present. Your Star Sense Explorer DX includes: a telescope tube, a tripod and mount head, an accessory bag, slow motion controls, an accessory tray, two eyepieces, an erect image diagonal, a finder scope, a StarSense phone dock, StarSense Explorer app code card, and a hex key (hidden inside the slot in the front of the mount head).
2. To set up the tripod, spread the legs outward until they are fully extended and push down the center leg brace.
   
3. Extend the legs of the tripod by loosening the three hand knobs on each leg. Pull each leg section all the way out and tighten the
   hand knobs to secure them in place.
   
4. Place the accessory tray on top of the center brace and line up the three holes. Insert the three thumb screws through the bottom
   of the leg brace and thread them into the tray.
   
5. To attach the slow-motion knobs to your mount, first locate the supplied hex key hidden inside the slot in the front of your mount.
6. Place the slow-motion control knob over the D-shaped gear shaft and push inward to make sure it is fully seated. Use the hex key to tighten the setscrews onto the gear shaft. Return the hex key to its storage position in the front of the mount.
7. Hold the telescope tube next to the mount with the dovetail bar on the tube facing the clamp on the top of the mount arm.
8. Slide the dovetail bar into the clamp at the top of the mount and tighten the hand knob on the bottom of the clamp to secure the telescope in place.
   
9. Locate the erect image diagonal and remove the plastic covers. Insert the barrel of the diagonal into the focuser and secure in place
   by tightening the set screws.
   
10. Insert the barrel of the 25 mm eyepiece into the diagonal and tighten the set screw.
    
11. Slide the finderscope bracket into the dovetail slot on the telescope tube near the focuser. The large window on the finder should be facing the front of the telescope. Secure the bracket by tightening the setscrew on the dovetail slot.
12. There is a small clear plastic tab inserted between the battery and the contact. This was included to prevent the battery from
    discharging during shipment. Pull this out to allow your battery to work.
    
13. To install the StarSense phone dock, insert the bayonet mount on the side of the dock into the port on the side of the mount opposite the dovetail clamp.
    
14. Line up the arrow on the dock with the alignment mark on the mount and press inward while turning the dock counterclockwise until the orange release button snaps into place in the hole on the dock.
    
15. o remove the dock, press the orange release button and turn the dock clockwise until the bayonet mount releases.
16. Remove the lens cap from the front of the telescope. To observe, look through the eyepiece as shown above. Focus the image by turning the knobs below the focuser.
    

Downloading and Activating the App

Before you take your telescope outside, download the StarSense Explorer app to your mobile device. Search for “Celestron StarSense Explorer” in the Apple App Store or Google Play. The app is large, so we recommend downloading it while connected to Wi-Fi.

Once you have downloaded the app, locate the orange postcard in your telescope box. Launch the app. When prompted, enter the activation code on the postcard to activate the app. Your code will unlock up to 5 devices.

Moving the Telescope

1. The StarSense Explorer DX mount has slip clutches in both axes. To make large movements with the telescope, simply hold a tripod leg with one hand and use the other hand on the telescope tube to push the telescope in the desired direction.
   
2. To make fine adjustments or to track celestial objects, turn both slow motion knobs as required.

Aligning the Finderscope

The finder is one of the most important parts of your telescope. It helps you locate objects and center them in the eyepiece. The first time you assemble your telescope, you need to align the finder to the telescope’s main optics. It’s best to do this during the day.

SOLAR WARNING! Never attempt to view the Sun through any telescope without a proper solar filter!

1. CHOOSE A TARGET
   Take the telescope outside during the day and find an easily recognizable object, such as a streetlight, car license plate or sign.
   The object should be as far away as possible, but at least a quarter mile away.
   
2. CENTER THE TARGET IN THE EYEPIECE
   Look through the telescope using your lower powered eyepiece. Move the telescope until the object you chose lies in the center of the view. If the image is blurry, gently turn the focus knobs on either side of the telescope until it comes into sharp focus.
   NOTE: The image in your telescope may appear inverted. This is perfectly normal in an astronomical telescope.
   
3. LOOK THROUGH FINDERSCOPE
   Once the object is centered in your 25 mm eyepiece, look through the finder scope and locate the red dot.
   
4. ADJUST THE FINDER SCOPE
   Without moving the telescope, use the two adjustment knobs to move the finder around until the red dot appears over the same object you are observing in the telescope’s 25 mm eyepiece.
   
5. YOUR FINDER SCOPE IS NOW ALIGNED!
   It should not require realignment unless it is bumped or dropped.
   

Attaching the Smartphone

1. Remove the large cap covering the mirror on the front of the StarSense dock.
   
2. Pull open the spring loaded slider on the top of the phone dock and set the phone into the holder so it is flush with the bottom lip of the phone holder. Slowly release the slider to secure the phone in place. Most phones fit into the dock with the case on. However, you may need to remove your phone case if it is especially bulky or unable to fit into the clamp (i.e. folio style cases).
   

Your First Night Out

Congratulations! Your telescope is now set up and you are ready to explore the cosmos. Take the telescope outside, insert your 25 mm eyepiece, remove the lens cap, insert your smartphone into the holder, and launch the StarSense Explorer app. The tutorial in the app will walk you through the steps on finding your first astronomical target.

For more information on this product, please visit the respective product page on www.celestron.com

Overview

Parts List

Optical Tube Assembly, M42 Camera T-adapter, M48 Wide Camera Adapter, Retaining Ring, 8 x AA Battery Pack (batteries not included), Dust Cap
The Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph 11 (RASA 11) is an incredibly fast (F/2.2) 11” aperture optical system that delivers a flat field without optical aberrations. It is capable of
capturing stunning deep-sky astronomical images without the difficulties presented by slower and longer focal length telescopes. The astrograph can only be used with a camera.

Mounting the Astrograph

The RASA 11 has a CGE dovetail mounting bar. This is compatible with mounts that accept a CGE or Losmandy-D style dovetail. The astrograph itself weighs 35 lbs., so a mount with
a load capacity greater than that is required to ensure good performance when a camera and any accessories are added.

Installing a Camera

Use one of the two supplied camera adapters to attach to your DSLR or astronomical camera. The M42 adapter fits most cameras with standard T-threads. The wider M48 adapter can be used with full frame cameras with minimal vignetting. DSLR cameras require a T-ring, sold separately, for the make and model of your camera. Astronomical cameras have a wide range of backfocus, depending on the model and accessories used.
The included camera adapters allow 55 mm of distance from the adapter to the imaging sensor. If your astronomical camera has a backfocus distance less than 55 mm, you will need to add a spacer to reach the correct distance.
Cameras with sensors larger than 43 mm diagonal (full frame) will require a custom adapter to better illuminate the sensor. Refer to Celestron’s website for a drawing of camera adapter requirements to help determine how a custom adapter should be made.

Note: Due to the steep light cone at f/2.2, camera housings can be a source of vignetting. Despite having a large illuminated field (78% illumination at 21 mm off-axis), vignetting can occur when the camera’s sensor is deeply recessed within its housing.
This is common with DSLR sensors, sometimes resulting in rectangular vignetting.

To Attach Your Camera:

1. Place the knurled retaining ring over the camera adapter and loosely thread it onto the lens group housing at the front of the RASA.
   
2. Holding your camera, thread the camera body (or T-ring, if a DSLR is used) to the camera adapter.
3. Carefully hold the camera so the camera adapter seats flatly on the lens group housing.
   
4. Finish threading the retaining ring onto the RASA. Turn until the camera adapter is snug against the lens group housing. Do not over tighten! Camera orientation can be adjusted later.
   Caution: Over tightening the retaining ring can increase the chance of loosening the lens assembly on the corrector, or cause the lens assembly to rotate against the corrector.
   Keep the camera adapter snug against the lens group housing, but do not over tighten the retaining ring.

Adjusting Camera Orientation

Once the camera is installed, you can rotate it by slightly loosening the retaining ring. Loosen the ring no more than 1/8th turn, rotate the camera as desired, and retighten the ring,
remembering not to over tighten.

Fan Operation and Optics Cool Down

It takes time for the optics of the RASA to reach thermal equilibrium with the outside air. The greater the temperature difference between where the astrograph is stored and the outdoors, the longer it takes to cool down.
The RASA is equipped with a cooling system containing a 12-volt DC MagLev fan. The supplied battery pack requires 8 AA batteries (not included); install the batteries as indicated in the plastic mold of the battery holder. Plug the supplied battery pack into the power jack near the fan to turn the fan on and unplug power to turn the fan off.
We recommend powering the fan on before using the RASA, you can do this while preparing your other imaging equipment so the astrograph has time to cool down to the ambient temperature. Alternatively, the fan can be powered with any 12V DC power supply which provides at least 100mA and has a 5.5 mm/2.1 mm tip positive DC power plug.

Focusing

The focuser moves the primary mirror forward and backward within the rear cell. The RASA 11 utilizes a redesigned focus system, called the Ultra-Stable Focus System (USFS), which minimizes unwanted lateral movement of the primary mirror when focusing or slewing the astrograph, thus minimizing both “focus shift” and “mirror fl op”.
To focus, turn the focus knob until the image appears sharp in your camera. If the knob
will no longer turn, the focuser has reached the end of its mechanical travel. In this case, rotate the knob in the opposite direction until focus is achieved. A single turn of the focusing knob does not move the primary mirror much; it takes about 30 turns to go through the entire range of focus. If focusing on a dim object and the focus knob is turned too quickly, it is possible to go right through focus without seeing the image. To
avoid this problem, try fi rst focusing on a bright star so the image is visible even when out of focus.
Celestron offers a focus motor which is compatible with the RASA. A focus motor can be a great convenience when astroimaging, as the focusing is much more precise and can be done from the same computer that is controlling the camera. Third-party software will even allow auto-focusing with the focus motor.

Attaching Accessories

The RASA 11 includes a CGE dovetail accessory bar which is also compatible with Losmandy-D plate accessories. The dovetail accessory bar can be used to mount an optional guidescope.
A Celestron fi nderscope can be attached using the pairs of threaded holes in the rear cell of the astrograph. These holes have Phillips-head screws in them when not in use.

Removing the Optical Window

The optical window at the front of the lens group can be removed from the RASA. This is to maintain best optical performance for the ultra-fast F/2.2 optical system when an extra piece of fl at glass, such as a fi lter, is added into the light path. If you are using fi lters, the optical window should be removed. Celestron offers a Light Pollution Imaging Filter for the RASA 11 which mounts in place of the optical window, this can be very
useful in obtaining longer sub-exposures from light-polluted skies. Also, if your camera utilizes an optical window in its housing, you may want to consider removing the RASA’s
optical window, regardless if a fi lter is used or not.

To remove the optical window:

1. With the camera adapter removed, carefully grab hold of the knurled cell of the optical window.
2. Carefully unthread the optical window from the Astrograph.
   

Collimation

The RASA is factory aligned, but may need a slight adjustment after it is transported.
The primary mirror and corrector are permanently aligned at the factory. You can make adjustments to the tilt of the lens assembly if needed.
The astrograph must be collimated with the camera installed. We recommend using a camera that does not obstruct the light path of the telescope, making it easier to see concentric star patterns.

Equipment needed:

2 mm Hex key
3 mm Hex key
Artifi cial star or a star outside at night, such as Polaris
Camera setup, ready to image

1. Install the camera on the RASA as described in the “Installing a Camera” section of this manual.
2. Rotate the camera adapter so that the 3 slotted openings allow access to the collimation screws
   
3. Point the astrograph at your star and focus the camera.
4. Defocus the star by about one turn of the focus knob.
5. Inspect the star pattern. When collimated, the pattern should look like a concentric doughnut. If the pattern is concentric, no adjustment is necessary.
   
   OUT-OF-FOCUS STAR IMAGE FOR COLLIMATED TELESCOPE
6. Adjust the RASA’s collimation if needed by slightly loosening one of the 3 mm socket head screws, and tightening the paired 2 mm set screw. Alternatively, you can loosen the 2 mm set screw and then tighten the 3 mm socket head screw. Each pair of screws work together as a push/pull system; tightening one requires fi rst loosening the other. Always adjust one pair of collimation screws at a time.
   
7. If the star pattern is thin on one side, adjust the collimation so that the star moves towards the thin side, then adjust the position of the RASA to re-center the star. Repeat this until you achieve correct collimation.
   
   OUT-OF-FOCUS STAR IMAGES FOR RASA NEEDING COLLIMATION

Dew Prevention

The Schmidt corrector is especially susceptible to condensation forming on it because the glass is directly exposed to the night sky, like the windshield on your car. If the temperature of the corrector drops below the dew point, dew may form on the corrector within minutes.
The easiest way to help prevent dew is to add an optional dew shield, available from
Celestron, which shrouds the front of the astrograph and reduces radiant cooling of the corrector. If conditions are more severe, a dew heater, commonly available from other manufacturers, can be added to apply slight heat to the corrector to keep above the dew point and dry all night. If light dew has already formed on the corrector, you can try pointing the astrograph downward to allow the corrector to warm a bit until it clears. If heavy dew forms, you can use a hair dryer to heat the corrector and evaporate the moisture until it is clear.
Do not store the astrograph if covered in dew. Allow it to dry first without the dust cover on. Storing optics when wet can promote mold growth on the optical surfaces.

Specifications

Cleaning of the Optics

Dust, debris, and fingerprints on the optics will generally have little effect on imaging with the RASA.
However, if the external surfaces of the Schmidt corrector or the lens group become excessively dirty, they should be cleaned. Dust can be removed with a blower bulb or an optical cleaning brush. Then, use optical cleaning solution and lens cleaning tissue to remove any remaining debris or stains. Apply the solution to the tissue and then apply the tissue to the lens. Use low pressure strokes, do not rub in circles. When cleaning the corrector, strokes should go from the center to the outer edge. Use a new tissue for each stroke so as not to spread any oils or debris.
To minimize the need for cleaning, keep the dust cover on the astrograph when it is not in use.
Cleaning the internal optical surfaces should only be done by the Celestron Repair Department. If your RASA needs internal cleaning, please contact Celestron for a return authorization number and price quote.

FCC NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular ninstallation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

This product is designed and intended for use by those 14 years of age and older.