Celestron AstroMaster 114EQ Telescope AstroMaster Manual (70EQ, 76EQ, 114EQ) - Page 11

Adjusting the Equatorial Mount, Adjusting the Mount in Altitude

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Figure 2-22 Figure 2-23 Adjusting the Equatorial Mount In order for a motor drive to track accurately, the telescope's axis of rotation must be parallel to the Earth's axis of rotation, a process known as polar alignment. Polar alignment is achieved NOT by moving the telescope in R.A. or Dec., but by adjusting the mount vertically, which is called altitude. This section simply covers the correct movement of the telescope during the polar alignment process. The actual process of polar alignment, that is making the telescope's axis of rotation parallel to the Earth's, is described later in this manual in the section on "Polar Alignment." Adjusting the Mount in Altitude • To increase the latitude of the polar axis, loosen the front latitude adjustment screw (locking bolt) slightly - see Figure 2-24. • To increase or decrease the latitude of the polar axis, tighten or loosen the rear latitude adjustment screw. Then, tighten the front latitude adjustment screw (locking bolt) securely. The latitude adjustment on the AstroMaster mount has a range from approximately 20° to 60°. It is best to always make final adjustments in altitude by moving the mount against gravity (i.e. using the rear latitude adjustment screw to raise the mount). To do this you should loosen both latitude adjustment screws and manually push the front of the mount down as far as it will go. Then tighten the rear adjustment screw to raise the mount to the desired latitude. Latitude Adjustment Screw (Locking Bolt) Figure 2-24 11 Latitude Adjustment Screw

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Figure 2-22
Figure 2-23
Adjusting the Equatorial Mount
In order for a motor drive to track accurately, the telescope’s axis of rotation must be parallel to the Earth’s axis of
rotation, a process known as polar alignment.
Polar alignment is achieved NOT by moving the telescope in R.A. or
Dec., but by adjusting the mount vertically, which is called altitude. This section simply covers the correct
movement of the telescope during the polar alignment process.
The actual process of polar alignment, that is
making the telescope’s axis of rotation parallel to the Earth’s, is described later in this manual in the section on
“Polar Alignment.”
Adjusting the Mount in Altitude
•
To increase the latitude of the polar axis, loosen the front latitude adjustment screw (locking bolt) slightly —
see Figure 2-24.
•
To increase or decrease the latitude of the polar axis, tighten or loosen the rear latitude adjustment screw.
Then,
tighten the front latitude adjustment screw (locking bolt) securely.
The latitude adjustment on the AstroMaster mount has a range from approximately 20° to 60°.
It is best to always make final adjustments in altitude by moving the mount against gravity (i.e. using the rear
latitude adjustment screw to raise the mount).
To do this you should loosen both latitude adjustment screws and
manually push the front of the mount down as far as it will go. Then tighten the rear adjustment screw to raise the
mount to the desired latitude.
Figure 2-24
Latitude Adjustment Screw
Latitude Adjustment Screw
(Locking Bolt)