Setting the Polar Home Position
1. Level the mount, if necessary, by adjusting the length of the three tripod
legs.
2. Unlock the R.A. Lock (33, Fig. 1d). Rotate the Optical Tube Assembly
until the counterweight shaft is pointing straight down over the mount.
See Figs. 16a and 16b.
3. If you have not already done so, lift the telescope assembly and turn it
so that the tripod leg marked with a star faces approximately North
(South in the Southern Hemisphere). Release the Dec. lock (17, Fig. 1d)
of the tripod, so that the optical tube (10, Fig. 1a) may be rotated. Rotate
the optical tube until it points North (or South in the Southern
Hemisphere). Then re-tighten the lock. Locate Polaris, the North Star, if
necessary, to use as an accurate reference for due North (or Octantis in
the Southern Hemisphere). See LOCATING THE CELESTIAL POLE,
page 23.
4. If you have not already done so, determine the latitude of your observing
location. See APPENDIX C: LATITUDE CHART, page 54, for a list of
latitudes of major cities around the world. Use the latitude T-handle
screws (26, Fig. 1d) to tilt the telescope mount so that the pointer
indicates the correct latitude of your viewing location on the latitude dial
(28, Fig. 1d). See step 6, page 12 for more information.
5. If steps 1 through 4 above were performed with reasonable accuracy,
your telescope is now sufficiently well-aligned to Polaris, the North Star,
for you to begin making observations. Once the mount has been placed
in the polar home position as described above, the latitude angle need
not be adjusted again, unless you move to a different geographical
location (i.e., a different latitude).
IMPORTANT NOTE:
For almost all astronomical observing requirements, approximate settings
of the telescope’s latitude and other settings are acceptable. Do not allow
undue attention to precise settings of polar home position of the telescope
to interfere with your basic enjoyment of the instrument.
Looking at or near the Sun will cause instant and irreversible damage to your eye!
15
OBSERVATION
Fig. 16a: The polar home position,
side view.
Level
mount
Point leg
marked with
star to north
Point optical
tube to north
Point counter-
weight shaft
straight down
over mount
North
Fig. 16b: The polar home position,
front view.
