Equatorial Mounts for Dummies

[tugger]

Greetings!

I just bought a PowerSeeker 127EQ at Radio City (I know that size matters in terms of what you want to 'see' so I decided to go as big as my budget would allow and sacrifice on the mount). I'm having some issues with getting the mount set up correctly. Perhaps it's not actually the mount, it's me trying to figure out the Geometry behind the mount and how it orients itself all in my head - it seems that there's only one axis to track the stars? Meaning that if you wanted to view something above and below the LAT setting, it just isn't possible?

I'm wondering if there are any videos that anyone can recommend that explains how it works while also explaining setup, tracking, getting to a star using the RA and Dec values, etc. because I haven't been able to find anything on Youtube that seems satisfactory - everyone just explains that this is an AltAz tilted so your RA dial 'tracks' the stars, the stars rotate around Polaris, blah blah - perhaps this is something that needs a new video that we could put together?!

As of right now, I'm planning on attending the the BSIG meeting on Saturday but was hoping to get a head start.

Thanks in advance!

[clayton]

I just scanned it but how about this Orion video?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2sIZGdL8Tc#

In regards to your question every thing above the horizon should be possible to see.

Someone hopefully will respond that they will be free to give you a few pointers. I have not yet committed to going but if there I will be happy to assist you.

[merle]

also…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdkB5NCnFps

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FR8s2ws5Amg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TNrPLHB21k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plx6XXDgf2E See comment on this video below:

Why wouldn't you put the tripod in the correct position before leveling it? Moving the tripod after putting it in the starting position negates all leveling efforts you just performed. Putting the tripod in the correct position is part of placing the scope into the starting position. Once leveled you should never fiddle with the leg adjustments or it will no longer be level. You should then change the adjustment on the mount to complete your alignment with the celestial pole and not the tripod leg.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7HVDKAZ6eM


I haven't completely watched all of these, but there should be enough info there to get you started.


Merle

[Wayne]

If your mount looks like this one, http://www.celestron.com/ImageGen.ashx? ... ression=98, then you have an equatorial mount. Look under Pointing at Polaris here http://www.celestron.com/media/795679/P ... _21049.pdf. That mount has two slow motion manual controls. Together they allow you to cover the sky.

There is a video showing how to assemble this particular scope/mount combination here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=te8a_YwyvLw.

A video on polar aligning this kind of mount is here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plx6XXDgf2E

If you have a different mount, let us know or ask at the BSIG meeting.

[tugger]

Thank you all!

The Orion video Clayton posted put the pieces together for me.

I think the video from NewAstronomer.com is the best of the ones I've seen. I've watched quite a few of the videos linked but for some reason couldn't wrap my head around the telescope moving in those directions. I was at ELO the other night and was using all 3 controls to follow the Moon (RA, DEC, and Alt). Sadly, it appears New Astronomer hasn't updated anything for a while and the website doesn't come up. I ran into another member out there twice now and I think he's given me the best advice: baby steps!

Thanks again!

[tugger]

So, I have a slight problem - the mount that came with my kit has some chipped gears. I posted some pics on another forum and those replies have said it's a cheap mount and the 127EQ is undermounted. I have some pics here. What do you guys think? I'll bring it out to the BSIG thing tonight and see what those there think. I guess I figured that they would have included an adequate mount for the telescope in the package. I mean, that makes the most sense, right?!

Now I'm considering this one but will be doing a bunch more research after returning this one.