Celestron OMNI XLT 102 manual Attaching the Equatorial Mount

Attaching the Equatorial Mount

The equatorial mount allows you to tilt the telescope’s axis of rotation so that you can track the stars as they move across the sky. The Omni mount is a German equatorial mount that attaches to the tripod head. On one side of the tripod head there is a metal alignment peg for aligning the mount. This side of the tripod will face north when setting up for an astronomical observing session. To attach the equatorial head:

1.Locate the azimuth adjustment screws on the equatorial mount (see Figure 2-4).

2.Retract the screws so they no longer extend into the azimuth housing on the mount. DO NOT remove the screws since they are needed later for polar alignment.

3.Hold the equatorial mount over the tripod head so that the azimuth housing is above the metal peg.

4.Place the equatorial mount on the tripod head so that the two are flush. You can rotate the mount slightly to the center position (where the front latitude adjustment screw is directly over the “N” on the tripod). Then tighten the azimuth adjustment screws.

5.Tighten the mounting knob (attached to the central rod) on the underside of the tripod head to hold the equatorial mount firmly in place.

Tripod

Head

Alignment

EquatorialPeg

Mount

Mounting

Knob

Figure 2-5

Azimuth Adjustment

Screws

Figure 2-4

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