9
The polar axis finder scope is now ready to be used. When
not in use, replace the plastic protective cover to prevent the
polar finder from getting bumped, which could knock it out of
alignment.
Using the Polar Axis Finder Scope
The reticle of the polar axis finder scope for the SkyView Pro
has a tiny star map printed on it that makes precise polar
alignment quick and easy. If you do not have a clear view of
Polaris from your observing site, you will not be able to use
the polar-axis finder to precisely polar align the telescope. To
align the mount using the polar axis finder scope, follow these
instructions:
1. Approximately polar-align the mount as outlined in the pro-
cedure above.
2. Loosen the Dec. lock lever and rotate the optical tube on
the declination axis so that the tube is at a 90° to the right
ascension axis (Figure 10). Tighten the Dec. lock lever.
3. Remove the cap on the front opening of the equatorial
mount (Figure 6). Focus the polar finder by rotating the
eyepiece. Now, sight Polaris in the polar axis finder scope.
If you have followed the approximate polar alignment pro-
cedure accurately, Polaris will probably be within the field
of view. If not, move the tripod left-to-right, and adjust the
latitude up-and down until Polaris is somewhere within the
field of view of the polar axis finder scope.
4. Shine a red flashlight down the front end of the polar find-
er to illuminate the reticle within the field of view. Make
sure the flashlight shines in at an angle, so as not to block
the polar finder’s field of view. It may be helpful to have a
friend hold the flashlight while you look through the polar
finder. Note the constellation Cassiopeia and the Big
Dipper in the reticle. They do not appear in scale, but they
indicate the general positions of Cassiopeia and the Big
Dipper relative to the north celestial pole (which is indicat-
ed by the cross at the center of the reticle). Rotate the reti-
cle so the constellations depicted match their current ori-
entation in they sky when viewed with the naked eye. To do
this, release the R.A. lock lever and rotate the main tele-
scope around the R.A. axis until the reticle is oriented with
sky. For larger optical tubes, you may need to remove the
tube from the mount to prevent it from bumping into the
mount. Once the reticle is correctly oriented, use the right
ascension lock lever to secure the mount’s position.
5. Now use the azimuth adjustment knobs (Figure 8) and the
latitude adjustment L-bolts (Figure 6) on the mount to posi-
tion the star Polaris inside the tiny circle marked “Polaris”
on the finder’s reticle.You must first loosen the knob under-
neath the equatorial mount on the center support shaft to
use the azimuth adjustment knobs. Once Polaris is proper-
ly positioned within the reticle, you are precisely polar
aligned.
Note: From this point on in your observing session, you
should not make any further adjustments in the azimuth
or the latitude of the mount, nor should you move the tri-
pod. Doing so will undo the polar alignment. The tele-
scope should be moved only about its right ascension
and declination axes.
Additional Note Regarding Focusing the Polar
Axis Finder Scope
The polar axis finder scope is normally focused by simply
rotating the eyepiece focus ring. However, if after adjusting the
focus ring you find that the image of the reticle is sharp, but
the stars are out of focus, then you must adjust the focus of
the polar axis finder’s objective lens. To do this, first remove
the polar axis finder from the mount. Look through the polar
axis finder at a star (at night) or distant object at least 1/4 mile
away (during daylight). Use the eyepiece focus ring to bring
the reticle into sharp focus. Now, loosen the focus lock ring
(Figure 9a) and thread the entire objective end of the finder
inwards or outwards until images appear sharp. Re-tighten the
focus lock ring. Once the polar axis finder’s objective lens is
focused, it should not need to be adjusted again.
Use of the Right Ascension and Declination
Slow-Motion Control Knobs
The right ascension (R.A.) and declination (Dec.) slow-motion
control knobs allow fine adjustment of the telescope’s position
to center objects within the field of view. Before you can use
the knobs, you must manually “slew” the mount to point the
telescope in the vicinity of the desired target. Do this by loos-
ening the R.A. and Dec. lock levers and moving the telescope
about the mount’s right ascension and declination axes. Once
the telescope is pointed close to the object to be viewed,
retighten both lock levers.
Note: If you have an optional motor drive attached, you
will need to loosen the manual clutch on the R.A. (and
Dec. for dual-axis drives) worm gear shaft before using
the slow-motion control knob.
The object should now be visible somewhere in the tele-
scope’s finder scope. If it isn’t, use the slow-motion knobs to
Figure 10.
The optical tube must be at a 90° angle to the right
ascension axis in order to view through the polar axis finder
