Meade Instruments Polaris Series User Manual

Page 12

is centered in the telescope’s red

dot viewfinder. Then center it in the

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.

THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE
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.

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!).

OBSERVING
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.

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

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.