IMPORTANT NOTE: In order to select any of Autostar's three Polar Alignment options, you must first select "Polar" in the "Mount" option of the "Setup: Telescope" menu.
Polaris |
Fig. 32: Polar
Alignment. |
Polaris |
Fig. 33: Polar Easy and Two- Star Alignment.
e.g., the Declination of the North Celestial Pole is +90°, with Declination South of the celestial equator indicated with a
All celestial objects are specified in position by their celestial coordinates of Right Ascension and Declination.
NOTE: Since the second object (i.e., the object to be located) is in constant motion, once the R.A. circle is calibrated (step 2 above), the telescope should be moved rapidly to read the coordinates of the second object. Otherwise the second object will no longer be in the position indicated by the R.A. circle.
Using setting circles requires a developed technique. When using the circles for the first time, try hopping from one bright star (the calibration star) to another bright star of known coordinates.Practice moving the tel- escope from one
NOTE: You may also enter an object's | Little Dipper |
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R.A. and Dec coordinates using the "User: | Polaris | ||
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Objects" option of Autostar's Object menu. |
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Autostar then automatically slews the tel- |
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escope to the entered coordinates. | Big Dipper |
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| Cassiopeia | ||
Locating the Celestial Pole |
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Fig. 31: Locating Polaris. |
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To get basic bearings at an observing location, take note |
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of where the Sun rises (East) and sets (West) each day.
After the site is dark, face North by pointing your left shoulder toward where the Sun set.To precisely point at the pole, find the North Star (Polaris) by using the Big Dipper as a guide (Fig. 31).
For precise tracking of astronomical objects, your telescope should be Polar aligned.
To Polar Align using the #884 Deluxe Field Tripod, follow the instructions provided with the tripod.
IMPORTANT NOTE: For almost all astronomical observing requirements, approx- imate settings of the telescope’s latitude and Polar axis are acceptable. Do not allow undue attention to precise Polar Alignment of the telescope to interfere with your basic enjoyment of the instrument.
NOTE: When the telescope is Polar aligned, the Vertical Lock (13, Fig. 1) serves as a Declination Lock and the Horizontal Lock serves as a Right Ascension, or R.A. Lock (14, Fig. 1).
Autostar provides three different methods for Polar Alignment:Easy,
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Polaris and two alignment stars are chosen by Autostar based on the date, time, and location entered.The rest of the procedure is identical to the Easy Alignment (Fig. 33).
Polar
Polar
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