Orion SIRIUS 9995 User Manual
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Orion® Sirius™ EQ-G
Equatorial Mount
#9995
Providing Exceptional Consumer Optical Products Since 1975
Customer Support (800)-676-1343
E-mail: support@telescope.com
Corporate Offices (831)‑763‑7000
89 Hangar Way, Watsonville, CA 95076
IN 280 Rev. B 02/06
Tube ring mounting plate
Declination lock lever (not shown)
Mounting plate lock knobs
Control panel
Front opening
Declination setting circle
Counterweight shaft lock lever
Counterweight lock knob
Counterweight
Counterweight shaft
“Toe-saver”
Tripod center support tray
Right ascension lock lever
Right ascension setting circle
Latitude scale
Latitude adjustment L-bolts
Hand controller cable
Center support shaft
GoTo hand controller
Tripod leg
2
Leg lock levers
Figure 1.
The Sirius EQ-G mount.
Congratulations on your purchase of a quality Orion mount. Your new Sirius EQ-G mount works with many different
optical tubes. Designed for astronomical use, the Sirius EQ-G provides a solid, stable foundation for precise navigation of the
night sky. The internally-housed, dual-axis stepper motors provide smooth slewing and tracking of any celestial object. With a
little practice, you’ll find that the Sirius EQ-G mount is an invaluable tool for getting the most out of your astronomical observing
sessions.
These instructions will help you set up and properly use your equatorial mount. Please read them over thoroughly before getting
started.
Table of Contents
1. Unpacking............................ 3
2. Parts List............................. 3
3. Assembly ............................ 3
4. Attaching a Telescope................... 4
5. Balancing a Telescope .................. 4
6. Setting Up and Using the Equatorial Mount . . 5
7. The Sirius EQ-G Dual-Axis Hand Controller.. 8
8. The Sirius EQ-G GoTo Hand Controller ....10
9. Specifications ........................ 20
10. Appendices......................... 21
1. Unpacking
The entire mount will arrive in three boxes, one containing
the tripod, one containing the equatorial mount and one containing the hand controller. Be careful unpacking the boxes.
We recommend keeping the boxes and original packaging.
In the event that the mount needs to be shipped to another
location, or returned to Orion for warranty repair, having the
proper packaging will ensure that your mount will survive the
journey intact.
Make sure all the par ts in the Parts List are present. Be
sure to check the box carefully, as some parts are small.
If anything appears to be missing or broken, immediately call Orion Customer Support (800-676-1343) or email
support@telescope.com for assistance.
If you’ve purchased the #7944 Dual-Axis hand controller:
Box 3: Dual-Axis Hand Controller
Qty. Item
1 Dual-Axis hand controller
2 Nylon hook-and-loop strips (1 hook strip, 1 loop
strip)
1 Wire clip
If you’ve purchased the #7947 GoTo hand controller:
Box 3: GoTo Hand Controller
Qty. Item
1 GoTo hand controller
1 GoTo hand controller cable for Sirius EQ-G
1 GoTo hand controller cable for Atlas EQ-G
1 GoTo hand controller bracket
1 Computer interface cable (RS-232)
1 Wire clip
3. Assembly
Refer to Figure 1 as needed during the assembly process.
1. Stand the tripod legs upright and spread the legs out as
far as they will go. Make certain that the leg lock levers
are tightened. Keep the tripod legs at their shortest (fully
retracted) length, for now; you can extend them to a more
desirable length later, after the mount is fully assembled.
2. Place the base of the equatorial mount onto the tripod
head. Orient the equatorial mount so that the post on the
tripod head lines up with the azimuth adjustment knobs on
the equatorial mount (Figure 2). You may need to loosen
2. Parts List
Box 1: Tripod
Qty. Item
1 Tripod
1 Counterweight (11lbs.)
1 Tripod center support tray
Box 2: Equatorial Mount
Qty. Item
1 Equatorial mount
1 Tube ring mounting plate
1 12V DC Power cable
Azimuth
adjustment
knobs
Post
Figure 2.
lines up with the azimuth adjustment knobs on the equatorial mount.
Orient the equatorial head so the post on the tripod
3
the azimuth adjustment knobs on the equatorial mount in
order to fit the mount onto the tripod head.
3. Thread the central support shaft up through the tripod
head and into the bottom of the equatorial mount until
tight. Use the upper knob on the central support shaft to
do this. The equatorial mount should now be firmly connected to the tripod.
4. Remove the knob and washer from the bottom of the
center support shaft. Slide the tripod support tray up the
bottom of the central support shaft until the three tray
arms are touching the legs of the tripod. The flat side of
the support tray should be facing up. Make sure the “V” of
each tray arm is against a tripod leg. Place the washer on
the center support shaft against the tray, and follow it by
threading the knob all the way up the center support shaft
until it is tight against the tray. The tripod support tray provides additional stability for the tripod, and holds up to five
1.25" eyepieces and two 2" eyepieces.
5. Loosen the counterweight shaft lock lever and fully extend
the counterweight shaft. Retighten the lock lever.
6. Remove the knurled “toe saver” retaining screw on the bottom of the counterweight shaft and slide the counterweight
onto the shaft. Make sure the counterweight lock knob is
adequately loosened to allow the counterweight shaft to
pass through the hole. Position the counterweight about
halfway up the shaft and tighten the lock knob. Replace
the toe saver at the end of the bar. The toe saver prevents
the counterweight from falling on your foot if the lock knob
happens to come loose.
Your Sirius EQ-G mount is now fully assembled and should
resemble Figure 1 except for the hand controller, which will
be installed and explained in Section 7 (Dual-Axis) or Section
8 (GoTo).
4. Attaching a Telescope
The Sirius EQ-G equatorial mount is designed to hold telescope tubes weighing up to approximately 25 lbs. For heavier
telescopes, the mount may not provide sufficient stability for
steady imaging. Any type of telescope can be mounted on the
Sirius EQ-G, including refractors, Newtonian reflectors, and
catadiotropics, provided a set of tube rings is available to couple the tube to the mount. Orion sells a variety of telescope
tube rings. Please visit our website at OrionTelescopes.com
for details.
Tube ring
attachment screw
Flat washer
Lock washer
Optical axis offset
adjustment screws
Figure 3.
The tube ring mounting plate.
1. Attach the tube mounting rings to the tube ring mounting
plate using the screws that come with the tube rings. The
screws should go through the center holes in the ends of
the mounting plate and rethread into the tube rings. Note
that the side of the mounting plate with the central “groove”
will be facing up (Figure 3). Use a small wrench to secure
the tube rings to the mounting plate.
Note: The tube ring mounting plate included with the Sirius
EQ-G includes four optical axis offset adjustment screws;
these are the socket head cap screws located at each corner of the mounting plate. These adjustment screws will be
explained further in Appendix A. For now, confirm that all four
adjustment screws are sufficiently unthreaded so that the
ends of their threaded shafts are flush with the top surface of
the tube ring mounting plate.
Note: The optical axis offset adjustment screws should be
oriented so that the threaded shaft extends upward through
the top surface of the tube ring mounting plate. If the tube
ring mounting plate arrives with the optical axis offset screws
installed backwards, reverse their orientation before proceeding (Figure 3).
2. Loosen the black mounting plate lock knobs on the top of
the equatorial mount. Place the mounting plate, with the
tube rings attached, in the slot on top of the equatorial
mount. Position the mounting plate so that it is centered in
the slot. Re-tighten the mounting plate lock knobs until the
plate is secure.
3. Open the tube rings by unthreading the knurled clamps
and lay the telescope optical tube in the rings at about
the midpoint of the tube’s length. Rotate the tube so that
the focuser is at a convenient height for viewing. Close the
tube rings and retighten the clamps.
Note: Some telescope optical tubes (specifically SchmidtCassegrains and Maksutov-Cassegrains) have a mounting
plate connected directly to the tube. For these telescopes,
optional tube rings are not required. Simply follow step 2
(above) to connect the telescope to the mount.
5. Balancing a Telescope
To ensure smooth movement of a telescope on both axes of
the equatorial mount, it is imperative that the optical tube is
properly balanced. We will first balance the telescope with
respect to the right ascension (R.A.) axis, then the declination
(Dec.) axis.
1. Keeping one hand on the telescope optical tube, loosen
the R.A. lock lever. Make sure the Dec. lock lever is locked,
for now. The telescope should now be able to rotate freely
about the right ascension axis. Rotate it until the counterweight shaft is parallel to the ground (i.e., horizontal).
2. Now loosen the counterweight lock knob and slide the
weight along the shaft until it counterbalances the telescope (Figure 4a). That’s the point at which the shaft
remains horizontal even when you let go with both hands
(Figure 4b). If the telescope refuses to balance then you
4
a. b.
6. Setting Up and Using the
Equatorial Mount
When you look at the night sky, you no doubt have noticed
that the stars appear to move slowly from east to west over
time. That apparent motion is caused by the Earth’s rotation
(from west to east). An equatorial mount (Figure 5) is designed
to compensate for that motion, allowing you to easily “track”
the movement of astronomical objects, thereby keeping them
from drifting out of your telescope’s field of view while you’re
observing.
This is accomplished by slowly rotating the telescope on its
right ascension (R.A.) axis, using the built in motor drive. But
first the R.A. axis of the mount must be aligned with the Earth’s
rotational (polar) axis—a process called polar alignment.
Dec lock lever
c.
d.
Figure 4a-d. Proper operation of the equatorial mount requires
that the telescope tube be balanced on the R.A. and Dec. axes. (a)
With the R.A. lock lever released, slide the counterweight down the
counterweight shaft until it just counterbalances the telescope tube.
(b) When you let go with both hands, the tube should not drift up or
down. (c) With the Dec. lock lever released, loosen the tube ring lock
clamps a few turns and slide the telescope forward or back in the
tube rings. (d) When the tube is balanced about the Dec. axis, it will
not move when you let go.
have either too much or too little counterweight. Remove
counterweight, or add optional counterweights if needed.
3. Retighten the counterweight lock knob. The telescope is
now balanced on the right ascension axis.
4. To balance the telescope on the declination axis, first tighten the R.A. lock lever, with the counterweight shaft still in
the horizontal position.
5. With one hand on the telescope optical tube, loosen the
Dec. lock lever. The telescope should now be able to rotate
freely about the declination axis.
6. Loosen the knurled ring clamps on the tube rings a few
turns, until you can slide the telescope tube forward and
back inside the rings (this can be aided by using a slight
twisting motion on the optical tube while you push or pull
on it) (Figure 4c). If the mounting plate is connected directly
to your telescope’s tube (i.e. tube rings are not utilized), you
can balance the telescope in Dec. by sliding the mounting
plate forward or back in the slot on top of the equatorial
mount.
7. Position the telescope in the tube rings so it remains horizontal when you carefully let go with both hands. This is the
balance point for the optical tube with respect to the Dec.
axis (Figure 4d).
8. Retighten the knurled ring clamps.
The telescope is now balanced on both axes. When you loosen the lock lever on one or both axes and manually point the
telescope, it should move without resistance and should not
drift from where you point it.
Front opening
Right
Ascension
(R.A.) axis
Declination (Dec) axis
R.A. lock lever
Polar axis finder scope
Latitude scale
Latitude adjustment
L-bolts
Figure 5. The Sirius EQ-G mount.
Polar Alignment
For Northern Hemisphere observers, approximate polar alignment is achieved by pointing the mount’s right ascension axis
at the North Star, or Polaris. It lies within 1° of the north celestial pole (NCP), which is an extension of the Earth’s rotational
axis out into space. Stars in the Northern Hemisphere appear
to revolve around the NCP.
Little Dipper
(in Ursa Minor)
Big Dipper
(in Ursa Major)
Pointer
Stars
N.C.P.
Polaris
Cassiopeia
Figure 6. To find Polaris in the night sky, look north and find the
Big Dipper. Extend an imaginary line from the two “Pointer Stars” in
the bowl of the Big Dipper. Go about five times the distance between
those stars and you'll reach Polaris, which lies within 1° of the north
celestial pole (NCP).
5
To find Polaris in the sky, look north and locate the pattern of
the Big Dipper (Figure 6). The two stars at the end of the “bowl”
of the Big Dipper point right to Polaris.
Observers in the Southern Hemisphere aren’t so fortunate to
have a bright star so near the south celestial pole (SCP). The
star Sigma Octantis lies about 1° from the SCP, but it is barely
visible with the naked eye (magnitude 5.5).
For general visual observation, an approximate polar alignment is sufficient.
1. Level the equatorial mount by adjusting the length of the
three tripod legs.
2. There are two latitude adjustment L-bolts (see Figure 5);
loosen one while tightening the other. By doing this you
will adjust the latitude of the mount. Continue adjusting the
mount until the pointer on the latitude scale is set at the
latitude of your observing site. If you don’t know your latitude, consult a geographical atlas to find it. For example, if
your latitude is 35° North, set the pointer to 35. The latitude
setting should not have to be adjusted again unless you
move to a different viewing location some distance away.
3. Loosen the Dec. lock lever and rotate the telescope’s optical tube until it is parallel with the right ascension axis, as it
is in Figure 5.
4. Move the tripod so the telescope tube and right ascension axis point roughly at Polaris. If you cannot see Polaris
directly from your observing site, consult a compass and
rotate the tripod so the telescope points north.
The equatorial mount is now polar aligned for casual observing.
More precise polar alignment is recommended for astrophotography. For this we recommend using the polar axis finder
scope.
From this point on in your observing session, you should not
make any further adjustments to the latitude of the mount, nor
should you move the tripod. Doing so will undo the polar alignment. The telescope should be moved only about its R.A. and
Dec. axes.
The Polar Axis Finder Scope
The Sirius EQ-G mount comes with a polar axis finder scope
(Figure 7) housed inside the right ascension axis of the mount.
When properly aligned and used, it makes accurate polar
alignment quick and easy to do. Unthread the cover at the rear
of the mount’s right ascension axis and remove the cap on
the front opening of the equatorial mount (Figure 5) to view
through the polar axis finder scope.
Alignment of the Polar Axis Finder Scope
1. Loosen the Dec. lock lever and rotate the optical tube on
the declination axis until you have a clear view through the
polar axis finder scope (Figure 8). Tighten the Dec. lock
lever.
2. Look through the polar finder at a distant object (during the
day) and center it in the crosshairs. You may need to adjust
the latitude adjustment L-bolts and the tripod position to do
this. Focus the polar finder by rotating the eyepiece.
Eyepiece
focus ring
Alignment
setscrew (3)
Focus
lock ring
Objective
lens
Figure 7. The polar axis finder scope.
Objective lens
of polar axis
finder scope
Figure 8. The optical tube must be rotated about the Dec. axis
until you have a clear view along the R.A. axis with the polar axis
finder scope.
3. Rotate the mount 180° about the R.A. axis. It may be convenient to remove the counterweights and optical tube
before doing this.
4. Look through the polar finder again. Is the object being
viewed still centered on the crosshairs? If it is, then no further adjustment is necessary. If not, then look through the
polar finder while rotating the mount about the R.A. axis.
You will notice that the object you have previously centered
moves in a circular path. Use the three alignment setscrews on the polar axis finder (Figure 7) to redirect the
crosshairs of the polar finder to the apparent center of this
circular path.
5. Repeat this procedure until the position the crosshairs point
to does not rotate off-center when the mount is rotated in
R.A.
The polar axis finder scope is now ready to be used. When not
in use, replace the plastic protective cover to prevent the polar
finder from getting bumped.
6
Using the Polar Axis Finder Scope
The reticle of the polar axis finder scope for the Sirius EQ-G
has a tiny star map printed on it that makes precise polar alignment quick and easy. To polar align the mount using the polar
axis finder scope, follow these instructions:
1. Approximately polar-align the mount as outlined in the procedure above.
2. Loosen the Dec. lock lever and rotate the optical tube on
the declination axis until you have a clear view through
the polar axis finder scope along the right ascension axis
(Figure 8). Tighten the Dec. lock lever.
3. Focus the polar finder by rotating the eyepiece. Now, sight
Polaris in the polar axis finder scope. If you have followed
the approximate polar alignment procedure accurately,
Polaris will probably be within the field of view. If not, move
the tripod left-to-right, and adjust the latitude up-and down
until Polaris is somewhere within the field of view of the
polar axis finder scope.
Note: If you do not have a clear view of Polaris from your
observing site, you will not be able to use the polar axis finder
to precisely polar align the telescope.
4. The mount has a built-in illuminator that allows you to see
the reticle pattern in the polar axis finder scope at night.
Simply turn on the power switch on the Sirius EQ-G mount
(see “Powering the Sirius EQ-G Mount”) and the polar axis
finder scope reticle will be illuminated. Note the constellation Cassiopeia and the Big Dipper in the reticle. They
do not appear in scale, but they indicate the general positions of Cassiopeia and the Big Dipper relative to the North
Celestial Pole (which is indicated by the cross at the center of the reticle). Rotate the reticle so the constellations
depicted match their current orientation in the sky when
viewed with the naked eye. To do this, release the R.A. lock
lever and rotate the main telescope around the R.A. axis
until the reticle is oriented with sky. For larger optical tubes,
you may need to remove the tube from the mount to prevent it from bumping into the mount. Once the reticle is correctly oriented, use the right ascension lock lever to secure
the mount’s position.
5. Now use the azimuth adjustment knobs (Figure 2) and the
latitude adjustment L-bolts (Figure 5) on the mount to position the star Polaris inside the tiny circle marked “Polaris”
on the finder’s reticle. You must first loosen the knob underneath the equatorial mount on the center support shaft to
use the azimuth adjustment knobs. Once Polaris is properly
positioned within the reticle, you are precisely polar aligned.
Retighten the knob underneath the equatorial mount.
From this point on in your observing session, you should not
make any further adjustments in the azimuth or the latitude
of the mount, nor should you move the tripod. Doing so will
undo the polar alignment. The telescope should be moved only
about its right ascension and declination axes.
Additional Note Regarding Focusing the Polar Axis Finder
Scope
The polar axis finder scope is normally focused by simple rotation of the eyepiece focus ring. However, if after adjusting the
focus ring you find that the image of the reticle is sharp, but
the stars are out of focus, then you must adjust the focus of
the polar axis finder’s objective lens. To do this, first remove
the polar axis finder from the mount by unthreading it. Look
through the polar axis finder at a star (at night) or distant object
at least 1/4 mile away (during daylight). Use the eyepiece focus
ring to bring the reticle into sharp focus. Now, loosen the focus
lock ring (Figure 7) and thread the entire objective end of the
finder inward or outward until images appear sharp. Re-tighten
the focus lock ring. Once the polar axis finder’s objective lens
is focused, it should not need to be adjusted again.
Confused About Pointing the Telescope?
Beginners occasionally experience some confusion about how
to point the telescope overhead or in other directions. In Figure
1 the telescope is pointed north as it would be during polar
alignment. The counterweight shaft is oriented downward. But
it will not look like that when the telescope is pointed in other
directions. Let’s say you want to view an object that is directly
overhead, at the zenith. How do you do it?
DO NOT make any adjustment to the latitude adjustment Lbolts. That will spoil the mount’s polar alignment. Remember,
once the mount is polar aligned, the telescope should be
moved only on the R.A. and Dec. axes. To point the scope
overhead, first loosen the R.A. lock lever and rotate the telescope on the right ascension axis until the counterweight shaft
is horizontal (parallel to the ground). Then loosen the Dec. lock
lever and rotate the telescope until it is pointing straight overhead. The counterweight shaft is still horizontal. Then retighten
both lock levers.
What if you need to aim the telescope directly north, but at an
object that is nearer to the horizon than Polaris? You can’t do
a. b. c. d.
Figure 9a-d.
that the tripod and mount have not been moved; only the telescope has been moved on the its R.A. and Dec. axes.
These illustrations show the telescope pointed in the four cardinal directions. (a) north, (b) south, (c) east, (d) west. Note
7
it with the counterweights down as pictured in Figure 1. Again,
you have to rotate the scope in right ascension so that the
counterweight shaft is positioned horizontally. Then rotate the
scope in declination so it points to where you want it near the
horizon.
To point the telescope directly south, the counterweight shaft
should again be horizontal. Then you simply rotate the scope
on the declination axis until it points in the south direction.
To point the telescope to the east or west, or in other directions,
you rotate the telescope on its right ascension and declination axes. Depending on the altitude of the object you want to
observe, the counterweight shaft will be oriented somewhere
between vertical and horizontal.
Figure 9 illustrates how the telescope will look when pointed
at the four cardinal directions: north (Figure 9a), south (Figure
9b), east (Figure 9c) and west (Figure 9d).
The key things to remember when pointing the telescope are
that a) you only move it in right ascension and declination, not
in azimuth or latitude (altitude), and b) the counterweight and
shaft will not always appear as it does in Figure 1. In fact it
almost never will!
7. The Sirius EQ-G Dual-Axis
If you are using a portable battery like the Orion Dynamo, use
the supplied 12V DC power cable (male cigarette lighter plug
on one end, standard 12V DC power plug on the other end)
to connect the battery to the 12V DC power jack on the control panel of the mount (Figure 9.1). Make sure the Dynamo’s
power switch is in the “on” position after connecting.
Note: The power indicator LED on the mount (near the power
switch) will begin to flash when the battery power is low. When
the battery power is extremely low, the LED will flash rapidly.
Recharge or replace the battery as needed.
Power indicator light
Hand
controller
jack
Autoguider
jack
12V DC power
jack
Power switch
Controller
The Sirius EQ-G with dual-axis hand controller will automatically track any celestial object as the Earth rotates. You can
also use the controller’s directional buttons to center objects
within your telescope’s finderscope or eyepiece. For imaging
purposes, the controller provides several guide speed rates so
a camera can be accurately guided during a long exposure.
Attaching the Dual-Axis Controller
The dual-axis controller has a cable with a modular connector
on one end. Plug the modular connector into the jack on the
control panel of the mount (Figure 9.1) until it clicks into place.
The nylon hook-and-loop strips have been provided so the
dual-axis hand controller can be placed in a convenient position on the mount when not in use. Place the “hooks” strip on
the back of the dual-axis hand controller, and the “loops” strip
on the mount in a convenient location. Make certain the location of the strip on the mount will not cause the dual-axis hand
controller to interfere with the motions of the mount or telescope.
You can reduce the chances of getting your hand controller,
power supply, or other cables tangled during use of the Sirius
EQ-G by using the included wireclip. The clip also reduces
mechanical strain on the cable. The wire clip is adhesive
backed for easy attachment to any convenient location on the
mount.
Figure 9.1. The Sirius EQ-G control panel.
Speed
buttons
Directional
buttons
Set button
Powering the Sirius EQ-G Mount
The Sirius EQ-G should be powered by a 12V DC power supply
(tip positive) capable of producing continuous current with a minimum of 2 amps. We recommend using a portable rechargeable
battery, like the Dynamo or Dynamo Pro available from Orion.
8
Figure 9.2. The Sirius EQ-G Dual Axis hand controller.
Functions of the Dual-Axis Hand Controller
There are three main categories of control buttons on the dualaxis controller (Figure 9.2):
1. Speed buttons
2. Directional buttons
3. Set button
The dual-axis hand controller is equipped with a red LED light
in each button to indicate operation. An individual button’s LED
will illuminate when the button is pressed. If a button combination is entered, all LEDs will illuminate to indicate a successful
operation.
Speed Buttons
The three buttons located near the top of the dual-axis hand
controller (Guide, Slow, and Fast) are used to set the slewing
and guiding speed of the mount.
Directional Buttons
The directional buttons allow complete control of the mounted
telescope’s position during slewing or tracking. The Left and
Right directional buttons control movements about the right
ascension (R.A.). axis. The Up and Down directional buttons
control movements about the declination (Dec.) axis.
Set Button
The Set button is used to set the dual-axis hand controller to
operate in either Northern or Southern hemisphere locations.
Note: The Go button is not used in normal operation of the
dual-axis controller.
Tracking Objects with the Dual-Axis Hand
Controller
In order for your Sirius EQ-G mount to accurately track celestial objects as they appear to migrate across the night sky,
your mount must be properly polar aligned. For more details
on polar alignment, please consult section 6 of this manual.
Once the power switch is turned on, the dual-axis controller
begins to track by rotating the R.A. axis motor at the default
(sidereal) rate. The Dec. axis motor will not rotate. As long as
the mount has been properly polar aligned, it should not be
necessary to adjust the Dec. axis for accurate tracking. If you
notice a lack of tracking precision at the default (sidereal) rate,
consult section 6 of this manual and attempt to polar align the
mount more accurately.
Tracking can be deactivated or activated at any time the Sirius
EQ-G mount is receiving power. In order to deactivate tracking,
simply press and hold the Guide button then press the Slow
button on the controller. Pressing the same button combination
will reactivate tracking at the default (sidereal) rate.
There are three tracking rates used by the dual-axis controller:
Sidereal rate tracking is the default tracking rate for the Sirius
EQ-G mount. Celestial objects are tracked using this rate
which is equivalent to the rate of the Earth’s rotation.
Solar rate tracking is used to track the Sun over a long period
of time. Solar rate tracking is activated by pressing and holding
the Slow speed button, then the Right directional button.
Warning: Never look directly at the Sun through your telescope or its finder scope, even for an instant, without a
professionally made solar filter that completely covers the
front aperture of the instrument, or permanent eye damage could result. Young children should use this telescope
only with adult supervision.
Lunar rate tracking is used to track the Moon at its rate of
apparent motion across the sky. Lunar rate tracking is activated by pressing and holding the Slow button, then the Down
directional button.
Note: Solar and Lunar tracking rates can only be used when
the Sirius EQ-G has tracking activated. If tracking is deactivated, you must first activate tracking by holding the Guide button
then pressing the Slow button.
Setting the Slewing Speed
In order to conveniently center an object in your telescope’s
finderscope or eyepiece, you can set the speed rate at which
the motors rotate the telescope when the directional buttons
are pressed. The three speed buttons located near the top of
the hand controller are used to set the slewing rates of the
mount.
The slewing speed buttons each have two different speeds
assigned to them. The slewing speed that is employed is
dependent on whether or not the dual-axis controller has tracking activated or deactivated (by holding the Guide button then
pressing the Slow button).
With tracking activated, the Guide button will slew the Sirius
EQ-G mount at a very slow speed equals to 1.5x sidereal rate.
This speed rate will generally be used to guide a telescope
while imaging with a camera. You can also change the Guide
button speed rate to be slightly faster or slower (see “Setting
the Guiding Speed”). If tracking is deactivated, pressing the
Guide button will set the Sirius EQ-G to slew at 32x sidereal
rate; this speed is too fast for guiding during imaging.
By pressing the Slow button with tracking activated, the Sirius
EQ-G will slew at 4x sidereal rate. With tracking deactivated,
pressing the Slow button will set the Sirius EQ-G mount to
slew at 64x sidereal rate.
With tracking activated, the Fast button will set the Sirius EQG mount to slew at 8x sidereal rate. If tracking is not activated,
pressing the Fast button will set the Sirius EQ-G to slew at
800x sidereal rate; this is a very fast speed that can be used to
slew the mount from object to object across the sky.
Changing the Guiding Speed
The dual-axis hand controller provides 4 different guiding
speed settings: 2x, 1.75x, 1.5x (default), and 1.25x sidereal
rate. If you change the guiding speed from the default setting
of 1.5x sidereal rate, the controller will guide at the chosen
speed until another guiding speed is selected.
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