– 8 –

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(also known as “M57”) by its Right Ascension (18hr) and its

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Declination (+33°).

 

 

 

North

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Celestial

 

 

+90° Déc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pole

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

■ Right Ascension (R.A.): This celestial version of longitude is

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Vicinity of

 

 

 

 

 

Star

 

 

 

Polaris)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

measured in units of hours (hr), minutes (min), and seconds

 

 

 

Celestial

 

 

 

D

 

 

 

 

 

(sec) on a 24-hour "clock" (similar to how Earth's time zones

 

 

 

Equator

 

 

 

e

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

c

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

l

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

i

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

n

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a

 

 

 

 

 

are determined by longitude lines). The "zero" line was

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

t

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

i

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

o

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13

12

 

11

n

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15

14

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

arbitrarily chosen to pass through the constellation Pegasus, a

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8

 

 

17

16

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rotation

 

 

 

 

 

 

7

sort of cosmic Greenwich meridian. R.A. coordinates range

18

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

19

 

 

 

of the

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

20

 

 

Earth

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

 

from 0hr 0min 0sec to 23hr 59min 59sec. There are 24 primary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23

 

0

1

0

°

Dec.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

lines of R.A., located at 15-degree intervals along the celestial

 

 

 

 

Right

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

equator. Objects located further and further East of the zero

 

 

 

 

Ascension

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

R.A. grid line (0hr 0min 0sec) carry higher R.A. coordinates.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See Fig. 8.

 

 

 

South

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-90°Dec.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

■ Declination (Dec.): This celestial version of latitude is

 

 

 

Celestial

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pole

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

measured in degrees, arc-minutes, and arc-seconds (e.g., 15°

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

27' 33"). Dec. locations North of the celestial equator are

Fig. 8: Celestial Sphere.

 

 

 

 

 

 

indicated with a plus (+) sign (e.g., the Dec. of the North

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

celestial pole is +90°). Dec. locations South of the celestial equator are indicated with a minus (–) sign (e.g., the Dec. of the South celestial pole is –90°). Any point on the celestial equator (such as the the constellations of Orion, Virgo, and Aquarius) is said to have a Declination of zero, shown as 0° 0' 0." See Fig. 8.

As all celestial objects therefore may be located with their celestial coordinates of Right Ascension and Declination, the task of finding objects (in particular, faint objects) in the telescope is vastly simplified. The setting circles, R.A (34, Fig. 2) and Dec. (25, Fig. 2) of your telescope may be dialed, in effect, to read the object coordinates and the object found without resorting to visual location techniques. However, these setting circles only perform correctly if the telescope is properly aligned with the North Celestial Pole.

LINING UP WITH THE CELESTIAL POLE

Objects in the sky appear to revolve around the celestial pole. (Actually, celestial objects are essentially “fixed,” and their apparent motion is caused by the Earth’s rotation). During any 24 hour period, stars make one complete revolution about the pole, circling with the pole at the center. By lining up the telescope’s polar axis (40, Fig. 2) with the North Celestial Pole (or for observers located in Earth’s Southern Hemisphere with the South Celestial Pole), astronomical objects may be followed, or “tracked,” by moving the telescope about one axis, the polar axis.

Little Dipper

Polaris

Big Dipper

Cassiopeia

 

Figure 9: Finding Polaris

If the telescope is reasonably well aligned with the pole, therefore, very little use of the telescope’s Declination flexible cable control is necessary and virtually all of the required telescope tracking will be in Right Ascension. (If the telescope were perfectly aligned with the pole, no Declination tracking of stellar objects would be required whatsoever). For the purposes of casual visual telescopic observations, lining up the telescope’s polar axis to within a degree or two of the pole is more than sufficient: with this level of pointing accuracy, the telescope can track accurately by slowly turning the telescope’s R.A. flexible cable control and keep objects in the telescopic field of view for perhaps 20 to 30 minutes.

POLAR ALIGNMENT OF THE EQUATORIAL MOUNT

To line up the Meade 60EQ-A with the pole, follow this procedure:

1.Release the Azimuth lock (32, Fig. 1) of the Azimuth base, so that the entire telescope-with-mounting may be rotated in a horizontal direction. Rotate the telescope until it points due North. Use a compass or locate Polaris, the North Star (see Fig. 9), as an accurate reference for due North.

2.Level the mount, if necessary, by adjusting the heights of the three tripod legs.

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Image 8
Meade 60EQ-A instruction manual Lining UP with the Celestial Pole, Polar Alignment of the Equatorial Mount, See Fig
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60EQ-A specifications

The Meade 60EQ-A is a remarkable entry-level telescope that opens the universe to beginner astronomers and enthusiasts alike. With its combination of quality optics, ease of use, and robust features, this telescope makes stargazing accessible and enjoyable for all.

One of the standout features of the Meade 60EQ-A is its 60mm aperture. This allows for adequate light-gathering capability, enabling users to observe celestial objects such as the Moon, Saturn’s rings, and even some deep-sky objects like star clusters and nebulae. The telescope comes with two quality eyepieces—MA 9mm and MA 25mm—providing different magnifications for diverse viewing experiences. The 25mm eyepiece offers wider fields of view, making it perfect for observing larger celestial objects, while the 9mm eyepiece enhances detail in more distant objects.

A key technology employed in the Meade 60EQ-A is its fully coated optics. This feature enhances light transmission, resulting in brighter and clearer images. The telescope is engineered with high-quality glass and features a refractor design, which is known for its ability to produce sharp images with minimal chromatic aberration.

The telescope is mounted on a sturdy equatorial mount, which is essential for tracking celestial movements smoothly. The equatorial design means that once the telescope is aligned with the North Star, it can easily follow the motion of celestial objects as they move across the night sky. This feature greatly enhances the viewing experience, making it easier to observe planets and stars over extended periods.

Another advantage of the Meade 60EQ-A is its lightweight design, allowing for easy portability. It can be set up quickly, making it ideal for both backyard usage and trips to darker locations outside the city.

In addition, the telescope comes with an included smartphone adapter. This innovative accessory allows users to capture images of the night sky using their mobile devices, bridging the gap between traditional stargazing and modern technology.

In conclusion, the Meade 60EQ-A is a well-equipped telescope that combines quality optics, user-friendly features, and excellent portability. Whether you are a novice looking to explore the wonders of the universe or an experienced stargazer seeking a reliable instrument, the Meade 60EQ-A provides a fantastic platform for astronomical observations. Its robust construction, easy setup, and impressive features make it a valuable addition to any aspiring astronomer’s arsenal.
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