26
7.
Repeat Steps 2 - 6 until you are satisfied with the alignment of your
telescope. Each time you make adjustments and find a new star, you
should notice the drift getting smaller and smaller. The more closely you
polar-align your telescope, the more accurately it will track stars.
Happy Hunting!
FINDING CELESTIAL OBJECTS
Once your telescope is polar-aligned, you must set the hour circle in order to
use the measurements listed on the mount to find celestial objects. With the
hour circle properly set, you will be able to use the coordinates listed on star
charts to find the objects you want to view. Setting the hour circle will require
that you recognize and be able to find a star other than the one(s) used for
initial polar alignment.
SETTING THE HOUR CIRCLE
To set the hour circle, choose an easily identifiable star for which you know
the coordinates. In the Northern Hemisphere, a reliable choice is Dubhe.
Dubhe is the pointer star in the Big Dipper closest to Polaris and lies at
58°42’ Dec., 11h23m R.A. In the Southern Hemisphere, a good choice is
the star Acrux. Acrux is the closest star to the southern celestial pole in the
Southern Cross and lies at -63°15’ Dec., 12h33m R.A.
ADVANCED OBSERVATION
1.
Loosen the Latitudinal Adjustment Screws and raise the telescope
to the nearest degree of declination to the star you will be viewing (58°
for Dubhe, -63° for Acrux). Retighten the screw to keep this declination in
place.
2.
Loosen the Mount Base Screw and rotate the telescope on the R.A. axis
until the star you’re using is near the center of the Finderscope. Tighten the
screws to hold the R.A. axis in place.
