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Figure 7.
Install the optical tube on the mount by placing the
dovetail bar into the saddle, then secure it by tightening the two
saddle clamp knobs.
should not have to be adjusted again unless you move to a
different viewing location some distance away.
4. Next, loosen the mount attachment knob (see Figure 15)
just enough to allow you to rotate the mount in azimuth. Then
rotate the mount by hand so the R.A. axis points roughly at
Polaris (see Figure 6). If you cannot see Polaris directly from
your observing site, consult a compass and rotate the mount
so the telescope points North. Then retighten the mount
attachment knob.
The equatorial mount is now (roughly) polar aligned. From
this point on in your observing session, you should not
make any further adjustments to the azimuth or the latitude
of the mount, nor should you move the tripod. Doing so will
ruin the polar alignment. The telescope should henceforth
be moved only about its R.A. and Dec. axes.
Using the R.A. and Dec. Slow-Motion Control Cables
The R.A. and Dec. slow-motion control cables (see Figure 6)
allow fine adjustment of the mount's position to center objects
within the telescope's field of view. Before using the cables,
manually "slew" the mount to point the telescope in the vicin-
ity 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 field of view
of the telescope's finder scope of reflex sight. If it isn't, use the
6
Dovetail
Mounting bar
Saddle
Saddle
clamp
knobs
Figure 8.
dovetail shoe as shown, then secure it with the thumbscrew on the
shoe.
slow-motion controls to scan the surrounding area of sky. Note:
when using the slow motion cables, the R.A. and Dec lock
knobs should be tightened, not loose. When the object is
visible in the EZ Finder II, use the slow-motion controls to center
it. Now, look in the telescope's eyepiece and use the slow-motion
controls to center it in the eyepiece.
The R.A. slow motion cable can turn the mount's R.A. axis a full
360 degrees. However, the Dec. slow-motion cable has a limited
range of about 25 degrees. If you reach the end of the range
Figure 9.
the 1.25" adapter's accessory collar, then secure it with the two
thumbscrews.
Attach the EZ Finder II by sliding the bracket it into the
Insert the chrome barrel of the star diagonal into
Sight tube
1.25"
accessory
collar
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