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In order for the clock drive to track accurately, the telescope's axis of rotation must be parallel to the Earth's
axis of rotation. The process of making these two axes parallel is called polar alignment. Polar alignment
is achieved NOT by moving the telescope in R.A. or DEC, but by moving the wedge. For the purpose of
polar alignment, the wedge can be adjusted in two directions; vertically, which is called altitude and
horizontally, which is called azimuth. Once aligned, the wedge should not be moved for the rest of the
observing session. Once the wedge is locked and the scope is polar aligned, changes in the direction the
telescope is pointing are made by moving the telescope in right ascension and declination. 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."
To adjust the wedge in altitude:
1.
Slightly loosen the bolts that hold the tilt plate.
2.
Turn the altitude adjustment screw clockwise to raise the polar axis and counterclockwise to lower
the polar axis.
3.
Tighten the bolts on the side of the wedge that hold the tilt plate once in the desired position.
To move the telescope in azimuth:
1.
Loosen the three bolts that hold the wedge to the tripod.
2.
Turn the azimuth adjustment handle on the side of the wedge.
3.
Tighten the bolts that hold the wedge to the tripod once in the desired position.
For rough adjustments, move the tripod.
Once the appropriate adjustments have been made and you are aligned on the celestial pole, turn the clock
drive on and the telescope will track.
Keep in mind that adjusting the wedge is done during the polar alignment process only. Once aligned, the
wedge and tripod must NOT be moved. Pointing the telescope is done by moving the telescope in right
ascension and declination, as described in the previous section.
22
ADJUSTING THE WEDGE
Telescope Basics
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