8
the Earth’s rotational (polar) axis—a process called polar
alignment.
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 celes-
tial pole (NCP), which is an extension of the Earth’s rota-
tional 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 6). 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).
For general visual observation, an approximate polar align-
ment is sufficient.
1. Level the equatorial mount by adjusting the length of the
three tripod legs.
2. Loosen the latitude lock T-bolt. Turn the latitude adjust-
ment T-bolt and tilt the mount until the pointer on the lati-
tude 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 and rotate the telescope opti-
cal tube until it is parallel with the R.A. axis, as it is in
Figure 1. The pointer on the Dec. setting circle should
read 90°, Retighten the Dec. lock lever.
4. Loosen the azimuth lock knob at the base of the equato-
rial mount and rotate the mount so the telescope tube
(and R.A. axis) points roughly at Polaris. If you cannot
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 for casual observing.
More precise polar alignment is required for astrophotography.
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 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
vicinity of the desired target. Do this by loosening the R.A.
and Dec. lock knobs and moving the telescope about the
mount’s R.A. and Dec. axes. Once the telescope is pointed
somewhere close to the object to be viewed, retighten the
mount’s R.A. and Dec. lock knobs.
The object should now be visible somewhere in the tele-
scope’s finder scope. If it isn’t, use the slow-motion controls
to scan the surrounding area of sky. When the object is
visible in the finder scope, use the slow-motion controls to
center it. Now, look in the telescope with a long focal length
(low magnification) eyepiece. If the finder scope is properly
aligned, the object should be visible somewhere in the field
of view.
Once the object is visible in the telescope’s eyepiece, use
the slow-motion controls to center it in the field of view. You
can now switch to a higher magnification eyepiece, if you
wish. After switching eyepieces, you can use the slow-motion
control cables to re-center the image, if necessary.
The Dec. slow-motion control cable can move the telescope
a maximum of 25°, This is because the Dec. slow-motion
mechanism has a limited range of mechanical travel. (The
R.A. slow-motion mechanism has no limit to its amount of
travel.) If you can no longer rotate the Dec. control cable in
a desired direction, you have reached the end of travel, and
the slow-motion mechanism should be reset. This is done by
first rotating the control cable several turns in the opposite
direction from which it was originally being turned. Then,
manually slew the telescope closer to the object you wish
to observe (remember to first loosen the Dec. lock knob).
You should now be able to use the Dec. slow-motion control
cable again to fine adjust the telescope’s position.
tracking Celestial Objects
When you observe a celestial object through the telescope,
you’ll see it drift slowly across the field of view. To keep it in
the field, if your equatorial mount is polar aligned, just turn
the R.A. slow-motion control cable. The Dec. slow-motion
control cable is not needed for tracking. Objects will appear
to move faster at higher magnifications, because the field of
view is narrower.
Figure 6.
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)
N.C.P.
Polaris
Cassiopeia
Pointer Stars
