9
point the telescope in the vicinity of the desired target. Do this by
loosening the R.A. and Dec. lock knobs (
Figure 16
) and moving
the telescope about the mount’s R.A. and Dec. axes. Once the
telescope is pointed somewhere close to the object to be viewed,
retighten the mount’s R.A. and Dec. lock knobs.
The object should now be visible somewhere in the field of view
of the red dot finder scope. If it isn’t, use the slow-motion controls
to scan the surrounding area of sky.
Note: when using the slow
motion cables, the R.A. and Dec lock knobs should be tight-
ened, not loose.
When the object is visible in the finder scope,
use the slow-motion controls to center the red dot on it. Now, look
in the telescope’s eyepiece and use the slow-motion controls to
center it in the eyepiece.
Tracking Celestial Objects
When you observe a celestial object through the telescope, you’ll
see it drift slowly across the field of view. To keep it in the field,
assuming the equatorial mount is polar aligned, just turn the R.A.
Figure 16
.
The R.A. and Dec. lock knobs.
Figure 17
.
To balance the telescope in right ascension, loosen the
R.A. lock knob and slide the counterweight along the shaft until it
counterbalances the optical tube.
Figure 18
.
To balance the telescope in declination, loosen the
Dec. lock knob and slide the dovetail mounting bar forward to
back in the mount saddle and/or slide the optical tube in the tube
rings until balance is achieved.
Dec. lock knob
R.A. lock knob
Balance
Balance
Big Dipper
(in Ursa Major)
Little Dipper
(in Ursa Minor)
Cassiopeia
N.C.P.
Pointer
Stars
Polaris
Figure 19.
To find Polaris in the night sky, look north and find the
Big Dipper. Extend an imaginary line from the two "Pointer Stars"
in the bowl of the Big Dipper. Go about five times the distance
between those stars and you'll reach Polaris, which lies within 1° of
the north celestial pole (NCP).