Leisure Time LX20 Magnetic Compass, a. Setting Magnetic Declination, b. Compass Installation

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Thread one of these knobs (or screws, as appropriate) partially into the hole on the underside of the drive base, located at the curved-end of the drive base (4, Fig. 12). This knob or screw should be threaded in about 3 full turns, not fully threaded into the hole.

Check that the knobs or bolts at the side of the wedge (5, Fig. 8 or 5, Fig. 10), are firmly tightened before placing the telescope onto the wedge.

Grasping the 2 fork arms of the telescope firmly, with the power panel towards you, place the telescope onto the tilt plate of the wedge by sliding the knob (7" and 8" LX200) or screw (10" and 12" LX200) into the slot at the top of the curved-end of the wedge tilt- plate.

Insert the 2 remaining knobs for the 7" and 8" LX200, or socket screws for the 10" and 12" LX200, through the underside of the tilt plate and into the underside of the drive base. Tighten down all 3 knobs or screws to a firm feel. Extreme force is not necessary in this regard.

The telescope is now fully mounted onto the wedge and field tripod. Adjustments in wedge latitude angle and/or azimuth orientation may be made with the telescope in place. Further details on telescope polar alignment see APPENDIX B, page 30.

4. Magnetic Compass

The magnetic compass helps the observer to set-up the telescope without actually seeing the pole star Polaris. This allows setting up before dark or in locations where the view of Polaris is obstructed. The magnetic compass has an adjustment to compensate for the local angle of Magnetic Declination. Note: Magnetic Declination is the difference between Magnetic North (which the compass shows) and true north (where the telescope should be pointed). Magnetic Declination should not be confused with the astronomical term "Declination," which, when used with "Right Ascension", describes the celestial coordinate system.

a. Setting Magnetic Declination

In order to obtain an accurate reading using the compass, you must first adjust for the Magnetic Declination for your location.

1.First, determine the Magnetic Declination in your area using the Isogonic Chart (Fig. 15)

2.Squeeze the clear central vial with thumb and index finger of the left hand.

3.With the right hand, rotate the outer dial until the orienting arrow (the black arrow painted on the inside clear surface) is lined up with the desired Magnetic Declination angle on the declination scale. Notice that East Magnetic Declination is to the right of the "North" position and West Magnetic Declination is left. As an example, Fig. 16 shows the correct setting for 16 degrees West Declination, which covers Providence, Rhode Island.

b. Compass Installation

The Magnetic Compass is now set for the correct declination angle. To attach to the equatorial wedge, follow these steps:

1.Snap the Magnetic Compass into the 3" diameter wedge attachment knob (after setting the Magnetic Declination as described above). Position the compass into the knob so that the 360 degree location on the direction scale (the "North" position) lines up with one of the nine points of the knobs. (See Fig. 16.) Press the compass firmly into the knob.

2.Assemble the equatorial wedge onto the field tripod as described in the Instruction Manual using the knob/compass combination to attach the wedge to the tripod.