P r i m a L u c e L a b i S r l
S p i d e r 2 3 0 u s e r m a n u a l
Using a German equatorial mount, the Spider230 radio telescope needs to be aligned to the North Star: thus it’s
needed to make fine alignment adjustments during the night. It’s still possible to start with a rough alignment even
during the day. In order to do this, it is necessary to know the latitude of the place where the radio telescope is in-
stalled: if you do not know you can, for example, visit Google Maps - maps.google.com - and enter in the search
field at the top of the page the address and city where you installed the instrument. Then click with the right mou-
se on the map (the point where the instrument is installed) and select "What's here?". The coordinates will automa-
tically appear in the search box. The first number indicates the latitude. For example, if it appears:
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45.992952,12.635844
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then the latitude is almost 46 degrees.
Now set the latitude in the mount and adjusts with the adjustment screws. The way this is done depends on the
type of equatorial mount used: if you use the N-EQ6 SynScan, find the two latitude adjustment screws in the lower
part of mount, closest to the pier (if used another type, read the manual of your mount). If there are two opposite
screws, unscrew a screw and screw the other, as in the photo shown here of the N-EQ6 SynScan mount.
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Now we need to check that the polar axis of the mount is correctly pointing to the North. This procedure should be
performed with precision during the night time (pointing to the North Star) but you can get a temporary alignment
even during the day. For this setting you need to use a compass.
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p a g e
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11
Latitude
adjustment
screws
Latitude
adjustment
screws