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C. finding true north, Se n w – Meade Instruments LX200 Classic User Manual

Page 28

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c.

Finding True North

The Magnetic Compass is now ready to use. Just follow these
simple steps for a quick and easy azimuth alignment:

1.

Loosen the knob/compass slightly. This allows for rotation
of the equatorial wedge under the knob/compass
(Fig. 17). The magnetic pointing arrow will point to
magnetic north.

2.

Rotate the knob/compass so that the magnetic pointing
arrow lies directly over the painted black alignment arrow
(painted on the bottom surface of the compass, Fig. 18).
The “North” position on the direction scale (and the point
on the knob/compass) now point directly north.

3.

Rotate the equatorial wedge in azimuth (without moving
the knob/compass) until the centerline of the wedge lines
up with the point of the knob/compass (Fig. 19). The
centerline of the equatorial wedge now falls directly on the
true north line.

4.

Tighten the knob/compass, locking the equatorial wedge
into place.

The field tripod and equatorial wedge are now pointed directly
toward celestial north, without ever having seen the North Star.

Fig. 16: Magnetic Compass.

S

E

N

W

W

E

16° West
Declination

Fig. 17: Equatorial Wedge.

S

E

N

W

W

E

Centerline of wedge

Fig. 18: Equatorial Wedge.

Fig. 19: Equatorial Wedge.

S

E

N

W

W

E

S

E

N

W

W

E

Orienting Arrow

Point of knob and
“North” line up

Magnetic
Pointing
Arrow

Magnetic
North

Centerline of wedge

Magnetic
North

True
North

Magnetic
North

True
North
and
center-
line of
wedge