9
quick and easy. 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 previously.
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 7). 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 indicated by the cross at the center of the reticle).
Rotate the reticle so the constellations depicted match
their current orientation in they sky when viewed with the
naked eye. To do this, release the R.A. lock lever and
rotate the main telescope 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 2) and the
latitude adjustment L-bolts (Figure 7) 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. Retighten the knob underneath the mount.
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 pre-
cisely polar align the telescope.
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 9) 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.
Operation of the Atlas Mount Motor Drives
The Atlas EQ mount comes with dual built-in motor drives.
These motor drives will be used to “track” objects in the night
sky, as well as to make small adjustments when aiming the
telescope. The motors are controlled from the hand controller
(Figure 11). To start the drives, flip the power switch on the
Figure 10.
The optical tube must be at a 90° angle to the R.A.
axis in order to view through the polar axis finder.
Figure 11.
The Atlas EQ Mount hand controller.
Indicator light
R.A.
pushbuttons
Reverse
switches
Dec.
pushbuttons
Power switch
Rate switch
