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Eyepiece
(rotate to focus)
a
Place the four
stars of Octans
here
b
0
9
6
c
Figure 9 a) The polar scope is built into the right ascension
housing. b)The polar scope's reticle, illuminated by an LED light
inside the mount when it's powered on, should be visible when you
look into the polar scope. c) If the target moved off the center of the
reticle, use the calibration setscrews to move it halfway back toward
the center.
Calibration
setscrew (x3)
Place Polaris
in this ring
2020
2012
2028
0
2032
2016
2024
3
9
NCP
SCP
6
If Polaris moved
to here
2020
2012
2028
3
2032
2016
2024
NCP
3
SCP
Place Polaris
here (half the
distance)
(in Ursa Major)
Figure 10. To find Polaris in the night sky, look north and find the
Big Dipper. Extend an imaginary line from the two "Pointer Stars" in
the bowl of the Big Dipper. Go about five times the distance between
those stars and you'll reach Polaris, which lies within 1° of the north
celestial pole (NCP).
(Refer to the upcoming section "The Orientation of
Polaris in the Polar Scope").
For observing in the Southern Hemisphere
1.
Set the mount's latitude to the local latitude (Refer to
"Adjusting the Mount's Latitude and Azimuth" in Section 9)
3
2.
Move the tripod so the mount's RA axis points roughly in
the direction of the South Celestial Pole.
3.
In the polar scope's field of view, locate the four dim
stars (~ magnitude 5 - 6) of Octans that conform to the
pattern shown on the reticle (Figure 9b). Use the altitude
adjustment bolt and the two azimuth adjustment knobs
on the mount to move those stars into the four small
circles labeled "Octans" on the reticle.
Note: For the azimuth adjustment knobs, turn one clockwise
and the other counterclockwise the same amount, or vice
versa. For altitude adjustment, loosen one altitude adjustment
bolt before tightening the other. Over-tightening can damage
the bolts.
The Orientation of Polaris in the Polar Scope
Polaris is not located exactly at the North Celestial Pole; it is
offset from it by less than 1 degree. The "Polaris circle" seen in
Objective lens
of polar axis
finder scope
Figure 11. To view through the polar scope, you must rotate the
Dec axis of the mount until the hole in the Dec shaft is fully open to
transmit light to the polar scope.
Little Dipper
(in Ursa Minor)
N.C.P.
Big Dipper
Polaris
Cassiopeia
Front opening
7
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