Meade 2080 Instruction Manual page 26

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(3)
Loosen the Dec. lock (2), Fig. 1, and ro-
tate the telescope tube in Declination so
that the telescope's optical axis is
lined up with its polar axis; i.e. paral-
lel to the fork arms. See Fig. 9. Care-
ful eye-alignment of these 2 axes is
sufficient. Tighten the Dec. lock.
(4) Loosen the manual knob (10)
,
Fig. 8 haIf-
a-turn, and rotate the telescope/wedge
combination horizontally until the tele-
scope itself, oriented as in Step (3)~
is pointing due North. Gun-sighting along-
the telescope tube on Polaris, the North
Star, will be helpful in this regard. Then
re-tiahten the manual knob (10). The tele-
scope-is now approximately aligned with
the Pole, and for casual observations
this alignment procedure is adequate.
(5) For more precise polar alignment during
extended use of the telescope at one observ-
ing session, now insert the 25mm eyepiece
into the telescope, and keep the optical
tube oriented as shown in Fig. 9. By a
combination of the 2 ~edge motions describ-
ed above (Step (2), latitude angle and
Step (4) azimuth, or horizontal, motion),
center Polaris in the field of the tele-
scope. Use of the latitude ~ine adjust-
ment (see liThe Equatorial Wedge," above)
may be helpful in this operation. Be
sure to re-tighten the knobs (5), Fig. 7A,
and the manual knob (10), Fig. 8, upon
conclusion of the alignment.
Model 2120: The polar alignment procedure for the Model 2120
is identical to that of the Model 2080. If the 3 socket
screws are used to provide extra rigidity in attaching the
wedge to the tripod (see liTheEquatorial Wedge"), it will
be necessary to loosen these screws, as well as the manual
knob (10), Fig. 8, to rotate the telescope/wedge combination
horizontally, i.e..in azimuth. With these socket screws
and the manual knob slightly loosened, azimuth adjustment
plus-or-minus about 50 is possible. Therefore, the North-
pointing procedure (Step (4) above) must first be roughly
accomplished by turning the entire telescope/wedge/tripod
combination. The final North-pointing operation may then
be performed by"rotating the telescope/wedge combination,
only, on the tripod.
As an aside procedure, during your first use of the tele-
scope, you should check the calibration of the Declination
setting circles (See (3), Fig.. 1), located at the top of each