ALIGNING THE
ETX
Aligning the ETX
To automatically track and locate objects in the night
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to set up the telescope in twilight or before sunset the
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large open area where you can see lots of the night
sky. Make sure the ground is stable and approximately
level. It is best to setup the scope away from bright
nighttime lighting. Bright lights will spoil your night
vision and impede you ability to see the sky.
The ETX “Alt/Az” Home Position
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to initialize AudioStar, set the telescope into the home
position, and perform the Easy Alignment in order for
the ETX to successfully locate celestial objects.
The home position for the ETX is with the telescope
optical tube level and pointed in the direction of either
True North or Magnetic North. See Figure 1. Correct
telescope placement in the home position will ensure
the successful location of the alignment stars.
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Finding North
Method #1: Finding True North using the North
Star (Polaris):
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level/compass into they eyepiece holder and point
the telescope tube towards Magnetic North. See the
"Locating Polaris" diagram above, which directs you
to the North Star (Polaris). Looking towards Magnetic
North locate the Big Dipper; follow the two stars in the
bowl of the Big Dipper to the North Star. With the tube
still level, rotate it so that it points in the direction of the
North Star. Lock the horizontal lock. The tube is pointing
True North and now in the Alt/Az home position.
9
Adjusting the Red Dot Finder
Now, without moving the telescope, adjust the indicated
thumb screws until you have put the red dot on the
object at which you were looking. It’s that simple.
Now use the hand controller to put the laser dot on a
new target. Check to see that the desired target is in
the eyepiece and adjust the focus knob until the object
is in focus.
NOTE:
Be sure to turn off red dot when not in use.
A d j u s t m e n t
Screws
Focus Knob
Focus Knob
ETX 80 Focus Knob
ETX 90/125
Focus Knob
Telescope
Tube is level
True or Magnetic
North
Figure 1: Alt/Az Home Position
