Celestron Ultima 8 Instruction Manual page 59

will need two optional parts. The first is the illuminator (#60001) which, among other things, illuminates the cross hairs
of the finder. The second thing you are going to need is a Polaris Setting Plate (#60121). This accessory indicates the
position of Polaris relative to the celestial pole. Prior to using the finder for polar alignment, it must be aligned with the
telescope. To polar align:
Wait until it is dark enough to see Polaris with the naked eye. Remember, Polaris is the last star in the handle of the
Little Dipper.
Move the telescope, with the tripod attached, until its polar axis is pointing in the general direction of Polaris. (The
forks should be pointed toward Polaris.)
Move the telescope tube to Polaris.
Hold the Polaris Setting Plate alongside the telescope. The edge with the arrow should point up, away from the
northern horizon.
Rotate the inner circle, which is a graduated hour circle, until your current local time corresponds to the proper date
on the outer circle. If this is done during daylight savings time, subtract one hour. The time is listed as a 24 hour
clock (i.e., 6:00 PM is 1800 hours, etc.). The date circle lists the months numerically (i.e., January is 1, February is 2,
etc.) and there is an indicator for every fifth day. Once this is done, the position of Polaris relative to the celestial
pole is indicated by the slanted tab that extends out into the month circle. The numbers 1990 and 2000 show the
position of Polaris in 1990 and 2000, respectively.
Figure 6-8
The Polaris Setting Plate indicates the position of Polaris relative to the celestial pole as seen through the Polaris
finder. The center of the Polaris Setting Plate corresponds to the celestial pole while the dated tab
corresponds to the position of Polaris.
With the position provided by the Polaris Setting Plate, you are now ready to polar align your telescope. The outer portion
of the month circle (i.e., the two concentric circles) looks exactly like the reticle in the finder. While looking through the
finder, move the telescope mount in altitude and azimuth (i.e., vertically and horizontally) until Polaris is in the same
position on the reticle as indicated on the Polaris Setting Plate.
Once this is done, your telescope is properly polar aligned and ready for use.
Figure 6-9
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