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Like the 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.
Adjusting the Mount
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.”
Adjusting the Mount in Altitude
•To increase the latitude of the polar axis, tighten the rear latitude adjustment screw and loosen the front screw (if necessary).
•To decrease the latitude of the polar axis, tighten the front (under the counterweight bar) latitude adjustment screw and loosen the rear screw (if necessary).
The latitude adjustment on the
It is best to always make final adjustments in altitude by |
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| Rear Latitude |
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moving the mount against gravity (i.e. using the rear latitude |
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adjustment screw to raise the mount). To do this you should |
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loosen both latitude adjustment screws and manually push |
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the front of the mount down as far as it will go. Then tighten |
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| Adjustment Screw |
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the rear adjustment screw to raise the mount to the desired |
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| Azimuth |
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latitude. |
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For Advanced GT users, it may be helpful to remove the |
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front latitude adjustment screw completely. This will allow |
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the mount to reach lower latitudes without the screw coming | Figure |
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into contact with the R.A. motor assembly. To remove the |
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