Orion 9829 instruction manual Polar Alignment Using an Optional Polar Axis Finder Scope

Azimuth	Eyepiece	Alignment	Objective
	focus ring	set screws (3)	lens
adjustment
knobs			Focus
			lock ring

Figure 6. For polar alignment, position the tripod so that the "N"	Figure 7a. The optional polar axis finder scope.
label at the base of the mount faces north. The azimuth fine
adjustment knobs above it are used to make small adjustments to the
mount’s azimuth position. Be certain to loosen the tripod attachment
knob on the central support shaft before adjusting these knobs.

2.There are two latitude adjusting L-bolts (see Figure 4); loosen one 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 lati- tude, consult a geographical atlas to find it. For example, if your latitude is 35° North, set the pointer to 35. The lati- tude setting should not have to be adjusted again unless you move to a different viewing location some distance away.

3.Loosen the Dec. lock lever and rotate the telescope’s opti- cal tube until it is parallel with the right ascension axis, as it is in Figure 4.

4.Move the tripod so the telescope tube and right ascension axis point 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 the base of the equatorial mount (Figure 6). It should be facing north.

The equatorial mount is now polar aligned for casual observ- ing. More precise polar alignment is recommended for astrophotography. For this we recommend using the optional polar axis finder scope

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

Polar Alignment Using an Optional Polar Axis Finder Scope

The SkyView Pro EQ mount can be equipped with an option- al polar axis finder scope (Figure 7a) housed inside the right ascension axis of the mount. When properly aligned and used, it makes accurate polar alignment quick and easy to do.

To install the polar axis finder scope, remove the cap at the base of the mount’s right ascension axis (Figure 7b) and

Figure 7b. Installing the optional polar axis finder scope.

thread the polar axis finder scope into the equatorial mount until tight.

Alignment of the Polar Axis Finder Scope

1.Loosen the Dec. lock lever and rotate the optical tube on the declination axis so that the tube is at a 90° to the right ascension axis (Figure 8). Tighten the Dec. lock lever.

2.Look through the polar finder at a distant object (during the day) and center it in the crosshairs. You may need to adjust the latitude adjustment L-bolts and the tripod posi- tion to do this.

3.Rotate the mount 180° about the R.A. axis. Again, it may be convenient to remove the counterweights and optical tube first.

4.Look through the polar finder again. Is the object being viewed still centered on the crosshairs? If it is, then no fur- ther adjustment is necessary. If not, then look through the polar finder while rotating the mount about the R.A. axis. You will notice that the object you have previously cen- tered moves in a circular path. Use the three alignment setscrews on the polar axis finder to redirect the cross- hairs of the polar finder to the apparent center of this cir- cular path. Repeat this procedure until the position that the crosshairs point to does not rotate off-center when the mount is rotated in R.A. Once this is accomplished, retighten the thumbscrews.

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