Cepheus
Ursa Minor
Ursa Major
Camelopardalis
Cassiopeia
Draco
Perseus
Polaris(Alpha UMi)
Delta UMi
N.C.P
51Cep
Big Dipper
2
3
Check your observing site with a compass, a GPS system or a map in advance to confirm that Polaris, the Big Dipper and
Cassiopeia can be seen from your observing location on the date of observation.
The constellations Cassiopeia and the Big Dipper (part of Ursa Major) are near Polaris. You will be able to find Polaris if you
know the position of these groups of stars. Cassiopeia and the Big Dipper are autumn and spring constellations respectively. For
most of the year either constellation is always above the eastern or western horizon.
Set up the telescope on flat and hard ground where you can
see Polaris in the sky. A rough setting with a compass or
pointing the polar axis of your telescope’s mount at Polaris
will work well for visual observation. Point the polar axis of
the SXD2 mount in the direction of north as shown in the
figure. Adjust the tripod legs so that the tripod is as level as
possible.
Take off the front polar axis cap on the declination body and
the rear cap on the polar axis body. These caps can be
removed readily by twisting counter-clockwise.
Note:
Be sure to extend the counterweight bar to aviod
interfering the polar alignment scope’s field of view.
Nor
thw
ard
Window
Remove
Window
Remove
Remove
Remove
Polar Alignment in the Northern Hemisphere
The polar axis of the SXD2 mount is aligned to the North Celestial Pole in the northern hemisphere. The polar alignment scope
utilizes 3 stars of Polaris, Delta UMi and 51 Cep near the Nor th Pole. Positions of the above stars are plotted on the the polar
alignment reticle. To locate the N.C.P, you simply match the scale position on the reticle with the designated 3 stars seen in the
polar axis scope. Also, the patterns of the Big Dipper and Cassiopeia are engraved on the polar alignment reticle for use as a
guidepost for the N.C.P.
Chapter 5
APPLICATION
Celestial nor th
Nor
thw
ard
Celestial nor th
1
Front polar
a xis cap
Rear polar
a xis cap
Front polar
a xis cap
Po
lar
axis
Po
lar
axis
Rear polar
a xis cap
54