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**DONOTDELETE**
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Hi, i posted a thread a few posts down about wanting a good informative book on how to use a telescope. Well im going to order it but itll be a few days before it gets here.
It looks like tonight might be a decent night to view mars. I just got a motor for my Meade 4.5" reflector (Meade motor #531 for $16.74 w/o shipping brand new!  ) And i want to set up my scope properly so my motor will track with the plants "movement" across the sky.
Now i understand to set up the scope you have to get the lattitude correct, get the RA at 90o, lossen the azthium (sp?) and that should pretty well align you with polaris.
Is that correct?
If the above is correct how do i go about moving the telescope to mars and still having it set up properly? Im not sure about this part im sure Mars will be lower in the sky then polaris. How do i lower the telescope to view mars, the lattiude knob? How do i turn my scope around nearly 180o from polaris to view the planet, the azthium (sp?)
Im sorry for all the questions its just i have nvoer set it up right and the book wont be here for probibly a week.
thanks!
aj
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Well, all you're really trying to do is get the lower axis to point at Polaris. IF the tripod is level and the latitude is set on the head, that just gets you pointed up at the right angle. Then you still have to get it pointed to Polaris by adjusting the azimuth (turn it right or left). But if you just get it close within a few degrees, you'll be doing good. If you're a little off, it just means you'll have to adjust the Declination axis a little on occasion. Don't make it hard on yourself, you'll figure it out as you play with it!
As far as telescope motions, you will figure that out as you play with it. If you want to point at Mars, it will be in the east, so you point the telescope east and tilt it back (the body of the scope will be on the western side of the mount). You will catch on as you work with it.
Good Luck!
Kent
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**DONOTDELETE**
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well let me ask this becuase i figure it will answer most of my questions. Say I want to view the ring nebula close to view m57 in lyra which is nearly over head (or any thing overhead). What control to i use to tilt my reflector back to do that?
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Release the declination and RA locks and swing the tube around.
It it's right at the zenith, the tube may bang the tripod.
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Charles
Post Laureate
Reged: 06/12/03
Posts: 4111
Loc: Enterprise, AL
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Hey, don't sweat the small stuff tonight!! Just balance the scope and drive to MARS and enjoy. If you want you can leave the motor off and hand jam Mars in and then turn your motor on and just guide it with the hand controller. Mars will stay in the eyepiece for a pretty good period before you have to use your hand controller.
Charles 
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