11
RIGHT
ASCENSION
(POLAR
) A
xIS
DECLINA
TION
A
xIS
Latitude scale
Latitude
adjustment T-bolt
Declination lock
bolt
Right ascension
lock bolt
Counterweight
lock knob
Latitude lock
T-bolt
Figure 2
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 5 times the distance between those stars and you’ll reach Polaris, which lies within 1°
of the north celestial pole (NCP).
Figure 3
Big Dipper
(in Ursa Major)
Little Dipper
(in Ursa Minor)
N.C.P.
Pointer Stars
Polaris
Cassiopeia
