Meade Polaris 127mm User Manual - Page 12

is centered in the telescope's red dot viewfinder. Then center it in the 10 MA25mm eyepiece. Next, re-tighten the latitude lock. 4. If the above steps (1-3) were performed with reasonable accuracy, your telescope is now sufficiently well-aligned to the North Celestial Pole for visual observations. Once the mount has been polar-aligned as described above, the latitude angle need not be adjusted again, unless you move to a different geographical location (i.e. a different latitude). The only polar alignment procedure that you need to perform each time you use the telescope is to point the polar axis due North, as described in step 1 above. You will enjoy your telescope even more as you learn more about it. But don't be scared off by difficult terms or complicated procedures. Don't panic! Just relax and enjoy your scope. You will begin to grow and learn more about astronomy the more you observe. Go on the internet or to the library and read some books about the stars and planets. Read about astronomers of old. Many of them had telescope no bigger than the one you are using right now. Galileo, who is one of the first astronomers to use a telescope, discovered four of the moons of Jupiter with a telescope about the same size as yours (and his didn't even focus very well!). In Reflecting telescope models, objects will appear upside down and backwards in this model telescope due to the position of the eyepiece. Unlock the lock knobs: To move the telescope, you will need to unlock the Right Ascension (22, Fig. 3) and Declination (23, Fig. 3) lock knobs (just rotate to unlock or lock; when locking, only tighten to a "firm feel," do not over tighten). Use the red dot viewfinder: If you have not done so, align the viewfinder (24) with the telescope's eyepiece (19) as described earlier. Look through the red dot viewfinder until you can see the object. It will be easier to THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE OBSERVING We have one very important rule that you should always follow when using your telescope: Have Fun! Have a good time when you're observing. You may not know everything that there is to know about a telescope or what all the sights in the universe are, but that's OK. Just point and observe at first. Observe during the daytime: Try out your telescope during the daytime at first. It is easier to learn how it operates and how to observe when it is light. Pick out an easy object to observe: A distant mountain, a large tree, a lighthouse or skyscraper make excellent targets. Point the optical tube so it lines up with your object. Looking at or near the Sun will cause irreversable damage to your eye. Do not point this telescope at or near the Sun. Do not look through the telescope as it is moving.