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2. Loosen the R.A. lock knob and rotate the telescope until
the R.A. value from the star atlas matches the reading on
the R.A. setting circle. Retighten the lock knob.
Most setting circles are not accurate enough to put an object
dead-center in your finder scope's field of view, but they'll get
you close, assuming the equatorial mount is accurately polar-
aligned.
Confused About Pointing the Telescope?
Beginners occasionally experience some confusion about
how to point the telescope overhead or in other directions. In
Figure 1 the telescope is pointed north, as it would be during
polar alignment. The counterweight shaft is oriented down-
ward. But it will not look like that when the telescope is pointed
in other directions. Let's say you want to view an object that is
directly overhead, at the zenith. How do you do it?
One thing you DO NOT do is make any adjustment to the lat-
itude setting. That will upset the polar alignment. Remember,
once the mount is polar-aligned, the telescope should be
moved only on the R.A. and Dec. axes. To point the scope
overhead, first loosen the R.A. lock knob and rotate the tele-
scope on the R.A. axis until the counterweight shaft is
horizontal (parallel to the ground). Then loosen the Dec. lock
knob and rotate the telescope until it is pointing straight over-
head. The counterweight shaft is still horizontal. Then
retighten both lock knobs.
Similarly, to point the telescope directly south, the counter-
weight shaft should again be horizontal. Then you simply
rotate the scope on the Dec. axis until it points in the south
direction.
What if you need to aim the telescope directly north, but at an
object that is nearer to the horizon than Polaris? You can't do it
with the counterweight shaft pointing down as pictured in Figure
1. Again, you have to rotate the scope in R.A. so the counter-
weight shaft is positioned horizontally. Then rotate the scope in
Dec. so it points to where you want it near the horizon.
To point the telescope to the east or west, or in other direc-
tions, you rotate the telescope on its R.A. and Dec. axes.
Depending on the altitude of the object you want to observe,
the counterweight shaft will be oriented somewhere between
vertical and horizontal.
The key things to remember when pointing the telescope is that
a) you only move it in R.A. and Dec., not in azimuth or latitude
(altitude), and b) the counterweight and shaft will not always
appear as it does in Figure 1. In fact, it almost never will!
6. Suggested Accessories
Call our Customer Service department at (800) 447-1001 for
availability and current prices. Mention the stock numbers
indicated in the parentheses.
1/4"- 20 Adapter (#9227)
This accessory bolts to the top of the equatorial head and
provides a threaded post on which to mount a camera or tel-
escope that utilizes a standard "quarter-twenty" thread.
6
Tube Mounting Rings
These quality cast-aluminum rings are hinged for easy instal-
lation of the telescope tube and are lined with felt to prevent
scratching of the telescope. Check the outer diameter of your
telescope; if it matches the inner diameter (I.D.) of the ring,
then the ring will fit. Mounting bolts included. One ring only is
needed.
Ring for 80mm Refractor (I.D. 3.5") (#7056)
Has a 1/4"-20 threaded post on top for attachment of a camera
body.
Ring for 4.5" Reflector (I.D. 5.5") (#7055)
AC Motor Drive (#17001)
This is a small electric motor that attaches to the right ascen-
sion worm gear shaft of the equatorial mount. It turns the gear
on the R.A. axis at the same rate that the Earth rotates on its
axis, thereby following, or "tracking," the apparent motion of
the stars. Automatic tracking keeps objects from drifting out of
the field of view while you're observing. Plugs into AC wall
outlet or AC-to-DC power inverter.
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