1. While looking through the finderscope (with Polaris still centered in the
cross hairs) adjust the mount with the latitude and rotational adjustment
screws until Polaris moves toward Alkaid. How far to move Polaris will de-
pend on the field of view of the finderscope. If using a finderscope with a
6 field of view, Polaris should be offset approximately 1/3 of the way from
center to edge in the finder’s view (i.e. half of the field of view, from center
to edge, equals 3 and 1/3 of that equals 1 ). This calculation can be ap-
proximated for any finderscope with a known field of view.
The finderscope is now properly aligned with the polar axis of your mount
and the mount is aligned to Polaris. The actual
N
orth celestial pole lies
about 3/4 away from Polaris toward Alkaid, the last star in the Big Dipper.
To acheive accurate polar alignment, the polar axis of the telescope must
now be lined up with the north celestial pole.
2. Loosen the R.A. and Dec. axis clamps and aim the telescope at a star near
the celestial equator with known right ascension. Be careful not to move
the mount base or tripod while moving the optical tube. Retighten the axis
clamps.
3. Loosen the R.A. scale tumbscrew and turn the R.A. scale so that the
scale reading matches the right ascension of the star you are centered on.
Retighten the R.A. scale thumbscrew.
4. Using the R.A. and Dec. axis adjustments, turn the telescope so that the
R.A. scale reads 2h30m and the Dec. scale reads 89 1/4 . Polaris should
now be centered in the finderscope’s crosshairs. If Polaris is not centered in
the crosshairs, adjust the mount using the latitude and rotational adjustment
screws until Polaris is centered in the crosshairs of the finderscope.
Y
our
mount is now polar aligned.
Summary of Contents for Tycho
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