ASTRO-PHYSICS 400 Manual - Page 4
Browse online or download pdf Manual for Telescope ASTRO-PHYSICS 400. ASTRO-PHYSICS 400 8 pages. German equatorial mount with dual axis quartz drive (silver-dome knobs)
Print PageALTITUDE AND AZIMUTH ADJUSTMENTS – ROUGH POLAR ALIGNMENT
Follow these instructions if you want to rough polar align your mount. If not, you may skip this section and move onto
Assemble Cradle Plate and Counterweight Shaft. You may make these adjustments with the telescopes mounted or
not, according to your preference. If you plan to mount your scope at this stage, refer to the Assemble Cradle Plate
and Counterweight Shaft section first.
1. If you examine the polar axis assembly, you will see that center of the polar shaft is hollow. You may need to
rotate the internal declination shaft by moving the top of the declination axis (or the cradle plate, if it is attached) to
align the sight hole that has been drilled into it. Now, you can look through the shaft to the other side. The end of
the R.A. axis is threaded to accept the optional polar alignment telescope. You do not need the polar alignment
scope for this part of the process.
2. Loosen the two black plastic clamp knobs on each side of the mount. Use the 5/16" hex key to loosen the 3/8-16-
socket head cap screw on the side of the mount base. If your scope is mounted, support its weight with your
other hand since you are loosening a critical bolt.
3. Your goal is to sight Polaris when looking through the polar alignment sight hole in the center of the polar axis.
You will need to make altitude and azimuth adjustments to the position of the mount.
4. Altitude (latitude) adjustments: Move the polar axis up or
down with the large altitude adjustment knob located at the
rear of the mount assembly.
5. Azimuth adjustments: Move the entire pier or tripod east or
west until the mount is oriented approximately towards the
pole. Use the two fine azimuth adjustment knobs, one on
each side of the mount, to make fine adjustments in azimuth.
You must back off the opposing azimuth knob in order to
move the other knob in that direction. Please refer to the
diagram.
6. You will continue to make adjustments in azimuth and altitude until you can see Polaris through the polar
alignment sight hole. At this point, you have achieved rough polar alignment, which may be sufficient for most
casual visual observations. When the R.A. motor is engaged, it will compensate for the rotation of the earth and
keep the target object within the eyepiece field of view. Your target object will slowly drift since polar alignment at
this stage is only approximate. However, you can make corrections with your hand controller, as we will discuss
later.
7. If rough polar alignment is sufficient, snug the two black plastic clamp knobs and the 3/8-16 screw to lock the
mount into position. If you require more exact polar alignment, proceed to the next section.
FINE POLAR ALIGNMENT – not necessary for casual observation
Follow these instructions if you want to fine-tune the polar alignment of your mount. If not, you may skip this section
and move onto Assemble Cradle Plate and Counterweight Shaft.
1. Polar alignment telescope – The north celestial pole can be viewed through the polar axis with our optional polar
alignment telescope. Please read the instructions sheets for the polar alignment telescope.
2. If you do not have a polar alignment telescope, you may use the star drift method. Please refer to the
recommended reading list at the end of this manual.
3. When the proper alignment has been achieved, snug the two plastic clamp knobs and the 3/8-16 screw lightly to
secure the polar axis and recheck alignment. If no movement has occurred, finish tightening the screw as much
as possible to prevent movement when the telescope and counterweights are attached.
IMPORTANT: Failure to tighten the side screw can cause the axis to slip, with resultant damage to the mount.