quick and easy. To align the mount using the polar axis finder
scope, follow these instructions:
1. Approximately polar-align the mount as outlined in the
previous alignment procedure.
2. 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 10). Tighten the Dec. lock lever.
3. Remove the cap on the front opening of the equatorial
mount (Figure 7). Focus the polar finder by rotating the
eyepiece. Now, sight Polaris in the polar axis finder scope.
If you have followed the approximate polar alignment pro-
cedure accurately, Polaris will probably be within the field
of view. If not, move the tripod left-to-right, and adjust the
latitude up-and down until Polaris is somewhere within the
field of view of the polar axis finder scope.
4. Flip the power switch on the hand controller (Figure 11) to
the N or S position. With the power on, you can now use
the illuminator on the polar axis reticle. Look through the
polar axis finder and adjust the illuminator by turning the
small dial on the mount (located above the power and
hand controller jacks) counter-clockwise to make it
brighter, and clockwise to make it dimmer. Use the
dimmest possible setting that allows you to see the reticle
without difficulty. Note the constellation Cassiopeia and
the Big Dipper in the reticle. They do not appear in scale,
but they indicate the general positions of Cassiopeia and
the Big Dipper relative to the north celestial pole (which is
indicated by the cross at the center of the reticle). Rotate
the reticle so the constellations depicted match their cur-
rent orientation in they sky when viewed with the naked
eye. To do this, release the R.A. lock lever and rotate the
main telescope around the R.A. axis until the reticle is ori-
ented with sky. You may need to remove the tube from the
mount to prevent it from bumping into the mount. Once the
reticle is correctly oriented, use the right ascension lock
lever to secure the mount’s position.
5. Now use the azimuth adjustment knobs (Figure 2) and the
latitude adjustment L-bolts (Figure 7) on the mount to
position the star Polaris inside the tiny circle marked
“Polaris” on the finder’s reticle. You must first loosen the
knob underneath the equatorial mount on the center sup-
port shaft to use the azimuth adjustment knobs. Once
Polaris is properly positioned within the reticle, you are
precisely polar aligned.
If you do not have a clear view of Polaris from your observing
site, you will not be able to use the polar axis finder to pre-
cisely polar align the telescope.
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 right ascension and declination axes.
Additional Note Regarding Focusing the Polar
Axis Finder Scope
The polar axis finder scope is normally focused by simply
rotating the eyepiece focus ring. However, if after adjusting
the focus ring you find that the image of the reticle is sharp,
but the stars are out of focus, then you must adjust the focus
of the polar axis finder’s objective lens. To do this, first remove
the polar axis finder from the mount. Look through the polar
axis finder at a star (at night) or distant object at least 1/4 mile
away (during daylight). Use the eyepiece focus ring to bring
the reticle into sharp focus. Now, loosen the focus lock ring
(Figure 9) and thread the entire objective end of the finder
inwards or outwards until images appear sharp. Re-tighten
the focus lock ring. Once the polar axis finder’s objective lens
is focused, it should not need to be adjusted again.
Operation of the Atlas Mount Motor Drives
The Atlas EQ mount comes with dual built-in motor drives.
These motor drives will be used to “track” objects in the night
sky, as well as to make small adjustments when aiming the
telescope. The motors are controlled from the hand controller
(Figure 11). To start the drives, flip the power switch on the
hand controller to “N” if you live in the northern hemisphere,
or “S” if you live in the southern hemisphere. When you flip the
9
Figure 10.
The optical tube must be at a 90° angle to the R.A.
axis in order to view through the polar axis finder.
Figure 11.
The Atlas EQ Mount hand controller.
Indicator light
R.A.
pushbuttons
Reverse
switches
Dec.
pushbuttons
Power switch
Rate switch
