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6.
Slightly loosen the knobs that holds the telescope to the mounting platform and slide the telescope either forward
or backward until it remains stationary when the DEC clutch is loose. Do NOT let go of the telescope tube while
the knob on the mounting platform is loose.
7.
Tighten the knobs on the telescope mounting platform to hold the telescope in place.
Like R.A. balance, these are general balance instructions and will reduce undue stress on the mount. When taking
astrophotographs, this balance process should be done for the specific area at which the telescope is pointing.
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In order for a motor drive to track accurately, the telescope's axis of rotation must be parallel to the Earth's axis of rotation, a
process known as polar alignment. Polar alignment is achieved NOT by moving the telescope in R.A. or DEC, but by
adjusting the mount vertically, which is called altitude, and horizontally, which is called azimuth. This section simply covers
the correct movement of the telescope during the polar alignment process. The actual process of polar alignment, that is
making the telescope's axis of rotation parallel to the Earth's, is described later in this manual in the section on "Polar
Alignment."
Before adjusting the mount in altitude or azimuth you must first slightly loosen both the latitude pivot knobs and azimuth pivot
knobs. See Fig 2-16.
Adjusting the Mount in Latitude
•
To increase (raise) the latitude of the polar axis, turn the rear latitude
adjustment knob clockwise.
•
To decrease (lower) the latitude of the polar axis, turn the rear latitude
adjustment knob counterclockwise.
The latitude adjustment on the mount has a range from approximately
10° to 65°.
It is best to always make final adjustments in latitude by moving the
mount against gravity (i.e. raising the latitude of the mount).
Adjusting the Mount in Azimuth
For fine adjustments in azimuth:
1.
Turn the azimuth adjustment knobs located on either side of the
azimuth housing (see Fig 2-16).
• Tightening the right adjustment knob (and loosening the left) moves the mount toward the right.
• Tightening the left adjustment knob (and loosening the right) moves the mount toward the left.
Both screws push off of the peg, which means you may have to loosen one screw while tightening the other in order to get the
desired movement.
Once the latitude and azimuth are correct, hand tighten the latitude pivot knobs and azimuth pivot knobs.
Keep in mind that adjusting the mount is done during the polar alignment process only. Once polar aligned, the mount should
NOT be moved. Pointing the telescope is done by moving the mount in right ascension and declination, as described earlier in
this manual.
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Latitude
Pivot knobs
Latitude
Adjustment
Knob
Attachment
Knobs
Azimuth Pivot
Knobs
Azimuth
Adjustment
Knob
Figure 2-16
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