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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.
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. Flip the power switch on the hand controller to the N or S
position. With the power on you can now use the illuminator
on the polar axis reticle. Look through the polar axis finder
and adjust the illuminator by turning the dial on the mount
(located above the power and hand controller jacks) count-
er-clockwise to make it brighter, and clockwise to make it
dimmer. Use the dimmest possible setting that allows you to
see the reticle without difficulty. 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 ret-
icle). 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-
Power switch
Indicator light
R.A.
pushbuttons
Figure 11.
The Atlas EQ Mount hand controller.
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
Rate switch
Reverse
switches
Dec.
pushbuttons
9
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