6.Tighten the knobs on the
Just like R.A. balancing, these are general balance instructions and will reduce excessive stress on the mount. When doing astrophotography, this balance process should be done for the target area where the telescope is pointing to.
Adjust the Mount
To track celestial objects accurately, the telescope’s axis of rotation must be parallel to the Earth’s axis of rotation. This is called the polar alignment. The polar alignment is not achieved by moving the telescope in either R.A. or DEC. This is done by adjusting the telescope horizontally (azimuth) and vertically (altitude). More details of polar alignment is described later.
Adjust 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
You should always make final adjustments in altitude by moving the mount against gravity (i.e. using the Rear Latitude Adjustment Screw to raise the mount). To do this you should loosen both Latitude Adjustment Screws and manually push the front of the mount down as far as it goes. Then tighten the Rear Adjustment Screw to raise the mount to the desired latitude.
For Advanced users, it may be helpful to remove the Front Latitude Adjustment Screw completely. This will allow the mount to reach lower latitudes without the screw coming into contact with the R.A. motor assembly. To remove the latitude screw, first use the rear screw to raise the mount head all the way up. Then remove the Front Latitude Screw completely. Now you should be able to manually move the Mount Head all the way to its lowest latitude. Now raise the mount to your desired latitude using only the rear screw.
Adjust the Mount in Azimuth
For rough adjustments in azimuth, simply pick up the telescope and tripod and move it. For fine adjustments in azimuth:
Turn the Azimuth Adjustment Knobs located on both sides of the azimuth housing. While standing behind the telescope, the knobs are in the front of the mount.
oTurning the Right Adjustment Knob clockwise moves the mount toward the right.
oTurning the Left Adjustment Knob clockwise moves the mount to the left.
