Setting Up

• We ensured that the tripod was placed on a stable surface and properly balanced, as it needed to remain steady after mounting.

• We carefully loosened the height adjustment clamps and gently extended the lower sections of each tripod leg, then tightened the clamps to secure them in place.

• A bubble level was placed on top of the tripod, and we adjusted the height of each leg until the tripod head was properly levelled.

• Polar alignment is the process of accurately aligning the polar axis of your mount with the north (or south) celestial pole. Polar axis does not move when you move the telescope.

• At first we need to find the position of Polaris in the sky. Polaris can be spotted easily as it is much brighter than other star. According to the position of Polaris we need to place the mount towards Polaris that is North direction.

• Next we need to adjust altitude that is the co-ordinate we will use to adjust the position of the telescopes mount to align with the North celestial pole which means the latitude in our location is basically the altitude of the mount.

• Next we need to set the polar scope. Throughout the year Polaris will travel around the north celestial pole in a circular manner. Inside the polar scope the following scale is given. Now our objective is Polaris should lie over the circle if it is not lying then we need to drift the position of Polaris over the circle according to the actual time by using these azimuth adjustment knobs.

• But due to high rise building in front of our University we are unable to see the Polaris through Polar scope. So that we have used Polar Align Pro App to do the Polar Alignment.

RA Balancing:

• Slowly unlock the RA and Dec. lock knobs. Rotate the telescope until both the optical tube and the counterweight rod are horizontal to the ground, and the telescope tube is to the side of the mount.

• Tighten the Dec. lock knob.

• Move the counterweights along the counterweight rod until the telescope is balanced and remains stationary when released.

• Tighten the counterweights in their new position.

Dec. Balancing:

• Release the R.A lock knob and rotate around the R.A axis so that the counterweight rd is in a horizontal position. Tighten the R.A lock knob

• Unlock the Dec. lock knob and rotate the telescope tube until it is parallel to the ground.

• Slowly release the telescope and determine in which direction it rotates. Loosen the telescope tube rings and slide the telescope tube forward or backward in the rings until it is balanced.

• DEC means declination we need to set 90○ because the north celestial pole is located at 90○.

• RA means Right ascension is measured in time units so we need to multiply 15○/hour to convert to degree. So as we set declination at 90○ then RA should be 6 hours because 6 hours × 15○/hour= 90○.

• Using a SynScan hand control we need to do star alignment. The position of stars is varying with time so for a particular date and particular time we need to align the telescope towards star properly.

• One Star Alignment:  It is not designed to provide accurate tracking, but rather allows you to quickly setup the scope to start approximate tracking.

Advantage: Quickest Alignment

• Two Star Alignment:   After centering the first star the telescope will then automatically slew to a second alignment star.

Advantage:    For visual observing, the mount does not need to be polar- aligned             accurately.

• Three-star Alignment: After centering the first star the telescope will then automatically slew to a second alignment star and after that third alignment star.

   Advantage:  Good pointing accuracy.

                    For visual observing, the mount does not need to be accurately polar-aligned