User manual ORION TELESCOPES & BINOCULARS ATLAS EQUATORIAL MOUNT

[. . . ] INSTRUCTION MANUAL Orion Atlas EQ Mount TM ® #9830 Customer Support (800) 676-1343 E-mail: support@telescope. com Corporate Offices (831) 763-7000 Providing Exceptional Consumer Optical Products Since 1975 P. O. A 11/02 Tube ring mounting plate Tube ring mounting plate lock knobs (2) Dec. setting circle Front opening Power indicator light Power cord jack Hand controller jack R. A. lock lever Counterweight shaft lock lever Counterweight shaft Counterweights Latitude adjustment L-bolts Latitude scale Counterweight lock knobs "Toe Saver" Center support shaft (not shown) Hand controller Tripod leg Tripod support tray Leg lock levers Figure 1. [. . . ] If you don't know your latitude, consult a geographical atlas to find it. If not, then look through the polar finder while rotating the mount about the R. A. You will notice that the object you have previously centered moves in a circular path. Use the three alignment setscrews on the polar axis finder (Figure 7) to redirect the crosshairs of the polar finder to the apparent center of this circular path. Repeat this procedure until the position that the crosshairs point to does not rotate off-center when the mount is rotated in R. A. When not in use, replace the plastic protective cover to prevent the polar finder from getting bumped. Using the Polar Axis Finder Scope The reticle of the polar axis finder scope for the Atlas has a tiny star map printed on it that makes precise polar alignment 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 procedure above. 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 7). Remove the cap on the front opening of the equatorial mount (Figure 4). Focus the polar finder by rotating the 6 ® Power switch Indicator light Rate switch Reverse switches R. A. pushbuttons Note: 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. 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. Look through the polar axis finder at a star (at night) or distant object at least 1/4 mile away (during daylight). Now, loosen the focus lock ring (Figure 6) and thread the entire objective end of the finder inward or outward until images appear sharp. 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 minute adjustments when aiming the telescope. 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. [. . . ] But it will not look like that when the telescope is pointed in other directions. Let's say you want to view an object that is directly overhead, at the zenith. Remember, once the mount is polar aligned, the telescope should be moved only on the R. A. lock lever and rotate the telescope on the right ascension axis until the counterweight shaft is horizontal (parallel to the ground). [. . . ]