Orion 9826 Declination setting circle Front opening in R.A. axis, Azimuth fine adjustment knobs

Figure 6. The equatorial mount of the StarMax 127mm EQ

Declination setting circle

Front opening in R.A. axis

		lina	t	ion
	ec
D		axis

Azimuth

fine adjustment knobs

t		nsion
	ce		axis
as
Righ

Declination locking lever

Right ascension locking lever

Right ascension setting circle

Polar axis finder scope Latitude scale

Latitude adjusting

T-bolts

To find Polaris in the sky, look north and locate the pattern of the Big Dipper (Figure 7). The two stars at the end of the “bowl” of the Big Dipper point right to Polaris.

Observers in the Southern Hemisphere aren’t so fortunate to have a bright star so near the south celestial pole (SCP). The star Sigma Octantis lies about 1° from the SCP, but it is barely visible with the naked eye (magnitude 5.5).

For general visual observation, an approximate polar align- ment is sufficient.

1.Level the equatorial mount by adjusting the length of the three tripod legs.

2.There are two altitude adjusting T-bolts (see Figure 6); loos- en one bolt while tightening the other. By doing this you will adjust the latitude of the mount. Continue adjusting the mount until the pointer on the latitude scale is set at the latitude of your observing site. If you don’t know your latitude, consult a geographical atlas to find it. For example, if your latitude is 35° North, set the pointer to 35. The latitude setting should not have to be adjusted again unless you move to a different view- ing location some distance away.

3.Loosen the Dec. lock lever and rotate the telescope optical tube until it is parallel with the R.A. axis, as it is in Figure 1. The pointer on the Dec. setting circle should read 90°. Retighten the Dec. lock lever.

4.Move the tripod so the telescope tube (and R.A. axis) points roughly at Polaris. If you cannot see Polaris directly from your observing site, consult a compass and rotate the tripod so the telescope points north. There is a label bearing a large “N” at

	Little Dipper
	(in Ursa Minor)
Big Dipper	N.C.P.
(in Ursa Major)		Polaris
		Cassiopeia
Pointer
Stars

Figure 7. To find Polaris in the night sky, look north and find the Big Dipper. Extend an imaginary line from the two "Pointer Stars" in the bowl of the Big Dipper. Go about five times the distance between those stars and you'll reach Polaris, which lies within 1° of the north celestial pole (NCP).

the base of the equatorial mount (Figure 8). It should be fac- ing north.

The equatorial mount is now polar aligned for casual observ- ing. More precise polar alignment is recommended for astrophotography.

From this point on in your observing session, you should not make any further adjustments in the azimuth or the latitude of the mount, nor should you move the tripod. Doing so will undo the polar alignment. The telescope should be moved only about its R.A. and Dec. axes.

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