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A
E
Adjusting the Mount
18
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Basic Operation
In order to follow objects easily, the telescope's axis of rotation (i.e., the R.A.
axis) must be parallel to the Earth's axis. The process of doing so is known as
polar alignment and discussed later in this manual. This section simply
covers the correct movement of the telescope during the polar alignment
process. For the purpose of polar alignment, there are two directions in
which the telescope mount can be adjusted; vertically, which is called
altitude and horizontally, which is called azimuth (see figure 3-5). To adjust
the altitude of the mount (i.e., raise or lower the angle of the polar axis):
1.
Loosen the altitude tension clamp on the side of the mount.
2.
Turn the altitude adjustment screw underneath the mount (see figure 3-
6). Turning the screw clockwise raises the mount, while turning it
counterclockwise lowers the mount.
-
3.
Tighten the altitude tension clamp to hold the mount in place when at
the desired position. The right position is when the mount is pointing at
Polaris.
For an initial setting, adjust the mount until the latitude indicator points to
the correct latitude of your observing site.
To adjust the mount in azimuth (i.e., move the polar axis horizontally):
1.
Turn the azimuth adjustment screws located on the side of the mount
(see figure 3-6). While standing behind the telescope, the knobs are on
the left side of the mount.
* Turning the front adjustment screw clockwise moves the mount
toward the left.
* Turning the back adjustment screw clockwise moves the mount to the
right.
Since both of these screws push off of a peg on the tripod head, they produce
opposing forces. In other words, you will have to loosen one screw while
tightening the other. These screws are used for fine adjustments of the
mount during the polar alignrnent process. For rough adjustments, pick up
the telescope and tripod and re-orient it.
Adjustment
Screws
Figure 3-6
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