background image

Polar Alignment

For Northern Hemisphere observers, approximate polar
alignment is achieved by pointing the mount’s R.A. axis at the
North Star, or Polaris. It lies within 1° of the north celestial
pole (NCP), which is an extension of the Earth’s rotational
axis out into space. Stars in the Northern Hemisphere appear
to revolve around the NCP.

To find Polaris in the sky, look north and locate the pattern of
the Big Dipper (Figure 9). The two stars at the end of the
“bowl” of the Big Dipper point right to Polaris.

Observers in the Southern Hemisphere aren’t so fortunate to
have a bright star so near the south celestial pole (SCP). The

star Sigma Octantis lies about 1° from the SCP, but it is barely
visible with the naked eye (magnitude 5.5).

To polar-align the Observer 60mm EQ:

1. Level the equatorial mount (5) by adjusting the length of

the three tripod legs (9).

2. Loosen the latitude lock T-bolt (28). Turn the latitude

adjustment T-bolt (29) and tilt the mount until the pointer
on the latitude scale is set at the latitude of your observing
site. If you don’t know your latitude, consult a geographical
atlas to find it. For example, if your latitude is 35° North,
set the pointer to 35. Then retighten the latitude lock T-bolt.
The latitude setting should not have to be adjusted again
unless you move to a different viewing location some dis-
tance away.

3. Loosen the Dec. lock knob (24) and rotate the telescope

optical tube (1) until it is parallel with the R.A. axis, as it is
in Figure 1. The pointer on the Dec. setting circle (21)
should read 90°. Retighten the Dec. lock lever.

4. Loosen the azimuth lock knob (30) at the base of the

equatorial mount(5) and rotate the mount so the telescope
tube (and R.A. axis) points roughly at Polaris. If you can-
not see Polaris directly from your observing site, consult a
compass and rotate the mount so the telescope points
North. Retighten the azimuth lock knob.

The equatorial mount is now polar aligned.

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 tripod. Doing so will undo
the polar alignment. The telescope should be moved only
about its R.A. and Dec. axes.

Use of the R.A. and Dec. Slow-Motion Control
Cables

The R.A. and Dec. slow-motion control cables (7,8) allow fine
adjustment of the telescope’s position to center objects within
the field of view. Before you can use the cables, you must
manually “slew” the mount to point the telescope in the vicini-
ty of the desired target. Do this by loosening the R.A. and

13

Figure 7. 

When properly polar-aligned, the equatorial mount can

easily “track” objects by compensating for the rotation of the earth.

to P

o

lar

is

Celestial Eq

uator

Equa tor

EQ mount moves in the opposite  
direction of the Earth's rotation.

Right Ascension Axis

Figure 8. 

Polar alignment of the Observer 60mm EQ is easily

done by pointing the telescope’s right ascension axis at Polaris (The
North Star).

R

igh

t A

sce

nsio

n

A

xi

s

90

°

Pole to Equator

Polaris 
(The North Star)

Celestial
Equator

Horizon

Angle from the ground  
to the North Star is the  
same as your latitude.  
Your EQ mount's latitude  
should match this angle.

S

N

E

W

S

E

W

N

Figure 9. 

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).

Big Dipper 
(in Ursa Major)

Little Dipper 
(in Ursa Minor)

Cassiopeia

N.C.P.

Pointe

r

Stars

Polaris

Содержание Observer 60mm EQ

Страница 1: ...roviding Exceptional Consumer Optical Products Since 1975 Customer Support 800 676 1343 E mail support telescope com Corporate Offices 831 763 7000 P O Box 1815 Santa Cruz CA 95061 Orion Observer 60mm EQ 9853 Equatorial Refractor Telescope ...

Страница 2: ...2 ...

Страница 3: ...s 7 8 3 Tripod legs 9 with attached accessory tray bracket 11 1 Accessory tray 10 with attachment wing screws 1 Counterweight shaft 25 1 Counterweight 6 1 Latitude adjustment T bolt 29 1 EZ Finder II reflex sight 4 3 Tripod leg attachment screws with wingnuts and washers 31 3 Leg lock knobs 12 1 25mm Kellner eyepiece 1 10mm Kellner eyepiece 1 90 Mirror star diagonal 2 1 Dust cover Welcome to the e...

Страница 4: ...4 2 4 8 6 7 Observer 60mm Refractor 11 10 3 9 Figure 1 Observer 60mm EQ components 5 1 12 ...

Страница 5: ...ning the Equatorial Mount section for more details Counterweight This counterweight will balance out the optical tube 1 when it is being aimed at celestial objects Right ascension slow motion control cable This cable is used to make small movements in right ascension when aiming the telescope Right ascension is explained in the Aligning the Equatorial Mount sec tion This cable is also used to trac...

Страница 6: ...Figure 2a Optical tube components 6 14 Observer 60mm Telescope Tube Figure 2b Observer 60mm focuser detail 15 3 2 17 4 1 3 2 17 10 18 19 13 16 20 ...

Страница 7: ...s a rack an pinion system to bring objects into focus Focus wheels These wheelswhen turned move the focuser drawtube 17 in or out Use it to bring things into focus when you are looking in the eyepiece 3 Diagonal holder thumbscrews These two thumbscrews secure the 90 mirror star diagonal 2 into the focuser drawtube 17 These should only be loosened to remove or rotate the star diagonal Eyepiece hold...

Страница 8: ...Figure 3a Equatorial mount detail 8 Figure 3b Observer 60mm EQ tripod leg and mount attachment detail 22 Observer 60mm Tripod and Mount 23 25 21 26 27 8 29 31 31 30 7 24 28 6 ...

Страница 9: ...atitude scale This scale gives a general indication of the latitude set ting of the equatorial mount 5 Latitude lock T bolt This T bolt must be loosened to make adjustments to the latitude of the telescope Latitude adjustment T bolt This T bolt is used to make adjustments to the latitude setting of the equatorial mount 5 Azimuth lock knob Loosening this knob will allow the equatorial to be adjuste...

Страница 10: ... and the 40 line up Then retighten the latitude lock T bolt The declination Dec and right ascension R A axes may need re posi tioning rotation as well Be sure to loosen the R A and Dec lock knobs 22 24 before doing this Retighten the R A and Dec lock knobs once the equatorial mount is properly oriented 7 Thread the counterweight shaft 25 into the equatorial mount 5 at the base of the declination a...

Страница 11: ... and should not drift from where you point it Focusing the Telescope With the 25mm Kellner eyepiece 3 inserted into the 90 mir ror star diagonal 2 and secured with the thumbscrews aim the optical tube 1 so the front open end is pointing in the general direction of an object at least 1 4 mile away Now with your fingers slowly rotate one of the focus wheels 18 until the object comes into sharp focus...

Страница 12: ...them from drifting out of the telescope s field of view while you re observing This is accomplished by slowly rotating the telescope on its right ascension R A axis using only the R A slow motion cable 7 But first the R A axis of the mount must be aligned with the Earth s rotational polar axis a process called polar alignment Understanding Polar Alignment To understand what you will be doing when ...

Страница 13: ...ts roughly at Polaris If you can not see Polaris directly from your observing site consult a compass and rotate the mount so the telescope points North Retighten the azimuth lock knob The equatorial mount is now polar aligned 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 tripod Doing so w...

Страница 14: ...itude on Earth and Dec is similar to latitude The R A and Dec values for celestial objects can be found in any star atlas or star catalog The mount s R A setting circle 23 is scaled in hours from 1 through 24 with small marks in between representing 10 minute increments The numbers closest to the R A axis gear apply to viewing in the Southern Hemisphere while the num bers above them apply to viewi...

Страница 15: ... other directions Let s say you want to view an object that is directly overhead at the zenith How do you do it One thing you DO NOT do is make any adjustment to the lat itude adjustment T bolt 29 That will nullify the mount s polar alignment Remember once the mount is polar aligned the telescope should be moved only on the R A and Dec axes To point the scope overhead first loosen the R A lock kno...

Страница 16: ...ez then you have fog haze clouds smog or other conditions that are hindering your viewing See Figure 11 Eyepiece Selection By using eyepieces of different focal lengths it is possible to attain many magnifications or powers with the Observer 60mm Your telescope comes with two Kellner eyepieces Figure 12 a 25mm which gives a magnification of 36x and a 10mm which gives a magnification of 90x Other e...

Страница 17: ...the front opening of the Observer 60mm The primary attrac tion is sunspots which change shape appearance and loca tion daily Sunspots are directly related to magnetic activity in the Sun Many observers like to make drawings of sunspots to monitor how the Sun is changing from day to day Important Note Do not look at the Sun with any optical instrument without a professionally made solar filter or p...

Страница 18: ...s in temperature and humidity Do not store the tele scope outdoors although storage in a garage or shed is OK Small components like eyepieces and other accessories should be kept in a protective box or storage case Keep the caps on the front of the telescope and on the focuser draw tube when not in use Your Observer 60mm telescope requires very little mechani cal maintenance The optical tube is al...

Страница 19: ...19 ...

Страница 20: ...ay Watsonville CA 95076 If the product is not registered proof of purchase such as a copy of the original invoice is required This warranty does not apply if in Orion s judgment the instrument has been abused mishan dled or modified nor does it apply to normal wear and tear This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state For further w...

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