For fine target positioning, rotate the altitude or
azimuth slow motion handles in either direction
while looking at the target through the eyepiece.
The PORTA
II
/ MINI PORTA mount will rotate the
telescope smoothly into position.
On an alt-azimuth mount, it is best to put celestial
targets at the edge of field and allow the motion of
the Earth to drift them across the field of view while
observing. This will allow for steadier views and less
manual tracking.
At high power, it is hard to
follow celestial target in
the field of view of the tele-
scope by pushing / pulling
the mount by hand.
The altitude and azimuth
handles allow smooth slow
motion control of the tele-
scope in order to search
for and track objects.
Basic Operation
Slewing the Telescope
Basic Operation / Slewing the T
elescope
If the optical tube moves because of unbalance,
shift it to the center of balance.
With the optical tube in the horizontal position,
hold the optical tube and loosen slightly the tube
ring lock knobs so the optical tube can slide.
Grasping the optical tube, rotate it on the altitude
axis. If it feels overweighed on one end, slide the
optical tube toward the other end. Repeat until
the optical tube is balance.
Tighten the tube ring lock knobs before proceeding.
Tube Ring Lock Knobs
Tube Ring Lock Knobs
You can quickly move the telescope toward the desired
target by grasping the tube and moving it in altitude or
azimuth. Do this to center the target in the finder and
then fine-tune the position in the eyepiece by following
the steps below.
Do not swing the Telescope by pulling or pushing
the altitude or azimuth slow motion handles.
Doing so may bend the worm shaft or even cause
the shaft ends to break off.
Quick Slewing Motion
Fine Motion and Tracking
Balancing the Optical Tube
Hint
Altitude Handle
Altitude Handle
Azimuth Handle
Azimuth Handle
10
