Skywatch NEQ3, EQ5 Instruction Manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Telescopes with NEQ3 & EQ5 Mount

031007V3

REFRACTOR

NEQ3

EQ5

(150mm/1200mm)

EQ3-2

EQ5

B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I. J. K. L.

Dust Cap/Mask

(Remove before Viewing)

Sun Shade Objective Lens Telescope Main Body Piggyback Bracket Finderscope Finderscope Bracket Alignment Screw Eyepiece Diagonal Focus Tube Focus Knob

10.

11.

R.A. Flexible Control Cable Dec. Flexible Control Cable R.A. Lock knob Polarscope Holder (not shown) Altitude Adjustment T-bolts Counterweight Rod Counterweight Counterweight Thumb Screw Azimuth Adjustment Knob Dec. Lock Knob Tube Rings

B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I. J. K. L.

Dust Cap/Mask

(Remove before Viewing)

Sun Shade Objective Lens Telescope Main Body Piggyback Bracket Finderscope Finderscope Bracket Alignment Screw Eyepiece Diagonal Focus Tube Focus Knob

10.

11.

12.

Polarscope Holder (not shown) Altitude Adjustment T-bolts Azimuth Adjustment Knob Counterweight Rod Counterweight Counerweight Thumb Screw R.A. Control Knob R.A. Lock Knob Dec. Lock Knob Dec. Control Knob Mounting Plate (150mm/1200mm) Tube RIngs

Accessory Tray Tripod Leg

NEQ3

EQ5

(200mm/1000mm)

REFLECTOR

C. D. E.

F. G. H. I. J.

Dust Cap/Mask

(Remove before Viewing)

Focus Tube Finderscope Finderscope Bracket Finderscope Adjustment Screws Eyepiece Focus Knob Piggyback Bracket Telescope Main Body Primary Mirror Position

10.

11.

12.

Mounting Plate (200mm/1000mm) R.A. Control Knob Polorscope Holder (not shown) Altitude Adjustment T-bolts Azimuth Adjustment Knob Counterweight Counterweight Thumb Screw Counterweight Rod R.A. Lock Knob Dec. Lock Knob Dec. Control Knob Tube Rings

Tripod Leg Accessory Tray

B. C. D. E.

F. G. H. I. J.

Dust Cap/Mask

(Remove before Viewing)

Focus Tube Finderscope Finderscope Bracket Finderscope Adjustment Screws Eyepiece Focus Knob Piggyback Bracket Telescope Main Body Primary Mirror Position

10.

Dec. Flexible Control Cable R.A. Lock Knob Polarscope Holder (not shown) Altitude Adjustment T-bolts Counterweight Rod Counterweight Counterweight Thumb Screw Azimuth Adjustment Knob Dec. Lock Knob Tube Rings

Tripod Leg Accessory Tray

EQ5EQ3-2

MAKSUTOV

B. C. D. E. F.

Dust Cap (not shown,

remove before Viewing)

Red Dot Finder

Focus Locking Screw Eyepiece Diagonal Focusing Knob

R.A Lock Knob Dec Flexible Control Cable Polarscope Holder/ Polarscope (not shown, optional) Altitude Adjustment T-bolt Azimuth Adjustment Knobs Counterweight Locking Thumb Screw Counterweight Rod Dec Lock Knob Dec Setting Circle

a. b.

Tripod Leg Accessory Tray Height Adjustment Clamp

NEQ3

Assembling Your Telescope

Aligning the Finderscope Using the Red Dot Finder Balancing the telescope Using the leveling bubble Operating the NEQ3 Mount Operating the EQ5 Mount Using the Barlow Lens Focusing Polar Alignment for visual use Pointing your telescope Using the setting circles Choosing the appropriate eyepiece

Operating Your Telescope

For NEQ3

Tripod Set up Telescope Assembly Finderscope/Red Dot Finder Assembly Eyepiece Assembly

For EQ5

Tripod Set up Telescope Assembly Finderscope Assembly Eyepiece Assembly

Proper Care for Your Telescope

Observing the Sky

Sky Conditions Selecting an Observing Site Choosing the Best Time to Observe Chooling the Telescope Adapting Your Eyes

Collimating a Newtonian reector Collimating a refractor (with the adjustable objective-lens cell) Cleaning Your Telescope

6 6 7 7

10 10 11 11 12 12 13 13 13 14 16 18

19 19 19 19 19

20 22 22

8 8 9 9

Appendix A-Precise polar alignment for Northern Hemisphere

Appendix B-Optional Accessories

III

Appendix C-Recommended Reading

TABLE OF CONTENTS

efore you begin

This instruction manual is applicable to all the models with the EQ3-2 or EQ5 mount. Take a moment to find the model closest to your telescope on p.2 p.3, and p4. Follow the instructions for your specific model in the manual. Read the entire instructions carefully before beginning. Your telescope should be assembled during daylight hours. Choose a large, open area to work to allow room for all parts to be unpacked.

Note: Loosen the azimuthal adjustment knobs if mount does not

fit into tripod head completely. Retighten knobs to secure.

ATTACHING THE MOUNT TO THE TRIPOD (Fig.3)

1) Align metal dowel on the tripod head with the gap between the azimuthal adjustment knobs underneath the mount. Tighten the knurled knob underneath the tripod head to secure mount to tripod.

ATTACHING THE ACCESSORY TRAY (Fig.2)

1) Place the accessory tray on top of the bracket, and secure with the locking thumb screws from underneath.

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

Fig. 4

Fig. 5

Fig. 1

INSTALLING THE COUNTERWEIGHT(S) (Fig.4, 5)

1) Locate the counterweight rod.

2) Screw the counterweight rod into the threaded hole on the end of the declination shaft. Tighten the locknut on counterweight rod until it is locked against the mount.

3) Unscrew the threaded cap from the end of the counterweight rod.

4) Locate the counterweight(s) and slide them halfway along the counterweight rod.Tighten the counterweight thumbscrews to secure.

5) Replace the cap on the end of the counterweight rod.

INSTALLING THE CONTROL CABLES (Fig.6)

1) Slide the sleeve end of the cable over the nipple on the end of the worm gear. Secure the cable by tightening the set screw against the flat surface of the nipple.

TRIPOD SET UP

TELESCOPE ASSEMBLY

Fig. 7

Fig. 8

ATTACHINGTHE MOUNTING PLATE (Fig.7)

1) Align the screws with the grooves on the side of the mounting bar. Position the mounting plate on the mounting bracket.

2) Secure by tightening the two locking screws.

ATTACHING THE MOUNTING PLATE (Fig.8)

1) Position the mounting plate on the mounting bracket.

2) Secure by tightening the two locking screws.

(short mounting plate)

(long mounting plate)

FOR NEQ3 MOUNT

ADJUSTING THE TRIPOD LEGS (Fig.18)

1) Slowly loosen the height adjustment clamp and gently pull out the lower section of each tripod leg. Tighten the clamps to hold the legs in place.

2) Spread the legs apart to stand the tripod upright.

3) Adjust the height of each tripod leg until the tripod head is properly leveled. Note that the tripod legs may not be at same length when the equatorial mount is level. Do not over tighten the clamps.

TELESCOPE ASSEMBLY

EYEPIECE ASSEMBLY

Fig.9

Fig.12

Fig.11

Fig.13

Fig.14

Fig.15

Fig.17

Fig.16

Fig.10

ATTACHING THE TELESCOPE MAIN TUBE TO THE TUBE RINGS (Fig.10)

1) Remove the telescope tube from the paper covering.

2) Find the center of balance of the telescope tube. Place this in between the two tube rings. Close the hinges around the telescope and fasten securely by tightening the thumb nuts. Do not over tighten.

ATTACHING THE TUBE RINGS TO THE MOUNT (Fig.9)

1) Remove the telescope tube assembly from its plastic packaging.

2) Remove the tube rings from the telescope by releasing their thumb nuts and opening their hinges.

3) Using the bolts provided, fasten the tube rings to the mount with the 10mm wrench provided.

1) Locate the nderscope bracket. Carefully remove the rubber-o ring from the nderscope bracket.

2) Position the o-ring into the groove located approximately half-way along the nderscope tube.

3) Locate the nderscope optical assembly.

4) Slide the nderscope bracket into the rectangular slot and tighten the screw to hold the mount in place.

5) Position the nderscope into its mount by sliding it backwards until the rubber o-ring seats in the nderscope mount.

(reector and Maksutov)

(refractor)

(reector)

(refractor and Maksutov)

ATTACHING THE FINDERSCOPE BRACKET/RED DOT FINDER (Fig.11)

1) Locate the nderscope optical assembly or Red Dot Finder.

2) Slide the nderscope bracket/Red Dot Finder into the rectangular slot and tighten the screw to hold the mount in place.

ATTACHING THE FINDERSCOPE (Fig.12, 13, 14)

INSERTING THE EYEPIECE (Fig.17)

1) Loosen the thumbscrew on the end of the focus tube.

2) Insert the diagonal into the focus tube and re-tighten the thumbscrew

to hold the diagonal in place.

3) Loosen the thumbscrews

on the diagonal.

4) Insert the desired eyepiece

into diagonal and secure by re tightening the thumbscrews.

INSERTING THE EYEPIECE (Fig.15, 16)

1) Unscrew the thumbscrews on the end of the focus tube to remove the black plastic end-cap.

2) Insert the desired eyepiece and secure it by retightening the thumbscrews.

FINDERSCOPE/RED DOT FINDER ASSEMBLY

Note: Loosen the azimuthal adjustment knobs if mount does not t into tripod head completely. Retighten knobs to secure.

FOR EQ5 MOUNT

ATTACHING MOUNT TO TRIPOD (Fig.20)

1) Align metal dowel on the tripod head with the gap between the azimuthal adjustment knobs underneath the mount. Tighten the knurled knob underneath the tripod head to secure mount to tripod.

ADJUSTING THE TRIPOD LEGS (Fig.18)

1) Slowly loosen the height adjustment clamp and gently pull out the lower section of each tripod leg. Tighten the clamps to hold the legs in place.

2) Spread the legs apart to stand the tripod upright.

ATTACHING THE ACCESSORY TRAY (Fig.19)

1) Place th e accessory tray on top of the bracket, and secure with the locking thumb screws from underneath.

Fig.19

Fig.20

Fig.21

Fig.22

Fig.23

Fig.24

Fig.18

Note: The screws should align with the grooves in the side of the mounting bar.

INSTALLING COUNTERWEIGHT (Fig.21, 22)

1) Locate counterweight rod.

2) Screw counterweight rod into threaded hole on the end of the declination shaft. Tighten locknut on the counterweight rod until it is locked against the mount.

3) Unscrew the threaded cap from the end of the counterweight rod.

4) Locate the counterweights and slide them halfway along the counterweight rod. Tighten the counterweight thumb screws to secure.

5) Replace the cap on the end of the counterweight rod.

ATTACHING THE MOUNTING PLATE (Fig.23)

1) Position the mounting plate on the mounting bracket.

2) Secure by tightening the two locking screws.

ATTACHING THE MOUNTING PLATE (Fig.24)

1) Position the mounting plate on the mounting bracket.

2) Secure by tightening the two locking screws.

(short mounting plate)

(long mounting plate)

TRIPOD SET UP

TELESCOPE ASSEMBLY

FINDERSCOPE ASSEMBLY

EYEPIECE ASSEMBLY

Fig.25

Fig.28

Fig.27

Fig.29

Fig.30

Fig.31

Fig.32

Fig.33

Fig.26

ATTACHING THE TELESCOPE MAIN TUBE TO THE TUBE RINGS (Fig.26)

1) Remove the telescope tube from the paper covering.

2) Find the center of balance of the telescope tube. Place this in between the two tube rings. Close the hinges around the telescope and fasten securely by tightening the thumb nuts.

ATTACHING THE TUBE RINGS TO THE MOUNT(Fig.25)

1) Remove the telescope tube assembly from its plastic packaging.

2) Remove the tube rings from the telescope by releasing their thumb nuts and opening their hinges.

3) Using the bolts provided, fasten the tube rings to the mount with the 10mm wrench provided.

1) Locate the nderscope bracket. Carefully remove the rubber-o-ring from the nderscope bracket.

2) Position the o-ring into the groove located approximately half-way along the nderscope tube.

3) Locate the nderscope optical assembly.

4) Slide the nderscope bracket into the rectangular slot and tighten the screw to hold the mount in place.

5) Position the nderscope into its mount by sliding it backwards until the rubber o-ring seats in the nderscope mount.

(reector)

(refractor)

(reector)

(refractor)

ATTACHING THE FINDERSCOPE BRACKET (Fig.27)

1) Locate the nderscope optical assembly.

2) Slide the nderscope bracket into the rectangular slot and tighten the screw to hold the mount in place.

ATTACHING THE FINDERSCOPE (Fig.28, 29, 30)

INSERTING THE EYEPIECE (Fig.33)

1) Loosen the thumbscrew on the end of the focus tube.

2) Insert the diagonal into the focus tube and re-tighten thumbscrew to hold the diagonal in place.

3) Loosen the thumbscrews on the diagonal.

4) Insert the desired eyepiece into diagonal and secure by re-tightening the thumbscrews.

INSERTING THE EYEPIECE (Fig.31, 32)

1) Unscrew the thumbscrews on the end of the focus tube to remove the black plastic end-cap.

2) Re-tighten thumb screws to hold the eyepiece in place.

TELESCOPE ASSEMBLY

ligning the nde

scope

OPERATING YOUR TELESCOPE

Fig.a

Fig.a1

The finderscope (optical or red dot) is a very useful accessory that is included with your telescope. When the finderscope is correctly aligned with the telescope, objects can be quickly located and brought to the centre of the field. Alignment is best done outdoors in day light when it's easier to locate objects. If it is necessary to refocus your finderscope, sight on an object that is at least 500 yards (metres) away. Loosen the locking ring by unscrewing it back towards the bracket. The front lens holder can now be turned in and out to focus. When focus is reached, lock it in position with the locking ring (Fig.a).

Choose a distant object that is at least 500 yards away and point the main telescope at the object. Adjust the telescope so that the object is in the centre of the view in your eyepiece. Check the finderscope to see if the object centred in the main telescope view is centred on the crosshairs. Adjust the two small screws to centre the finderscope crosshairs on the object (Fig.a1).

Fig.b1

sing the Red Dot Finde

scope

The Red Dot Finder is a zero magnification pointing tool that uses a coated glass window to superimpose the image of a small red dot onto the night sky. The Red Dot Finder is equipped with a variable brightness control, azimuth adjustment control, and altitude adjustment control (Fig.b). The Red Dot Finder is powered by a 3-volt lithium battery located underneath at the front. To use the Finder, simply look through the sight tube and move your telescope until the red dot merges with the object. Make sure to keep both eyes open when sighting.

Azimuth adjustment control

ON/OFF Brightness Control

Altitude Adjustment Control

Battery cover

Sight Tube

Plastic shipping cover

Aligning the Red Dot Finder

Like all finderscopes, the Red Dot Finder must be properly aligned with the main telescope before use. This is a simple process using the azimuth and altitude control knobs.

Open the battery cover by pulling it down (you can gently pry at the 2 small slots) and remove the plastic shipping cover over the battery (Fig.b1). Turn on the Red Dot Finder by rotating the variable brightness control clockwise until you hear a "click". Continue rotating the control knob to increase the brightness level. Insert a low power eyepiece into the telescope's focuser. Locate a bright object and position the telescope so that the object is in the centre of the field of view. With both eyes open, look through the sight tube at the object. If the red dot overlaps the object, your Red Dot Finder is perfectly aligned. If not, turn its azimuth and altitude adjustment controls until the red dot is merged with the object.

Fig.b

Leveling bubble

Fig.d

sing the le

veling

For best telescope performance, the equatorial mount should be properly leveled. A level tripod allows easier fine adjustment of controls and better weight distribution. This equatorial mount includes a small leveling bubble near its base (Fig.d). Adjust the height of each tripod leg until the bubble appears in the center of the circle. Note that the tripod legs may not be at same length when the equatorial mount is level.

alancing the telescope

Fig.c

For best results, adjust the altitude of the mount to between 15º and 30º if possible, by using the altitude adjustment T-bolt. Slowly unlock the R.A. and Dec. lock knobs. Rotate the telescope until both the optical tube and the counterweight rod are horizontal to the ground, and the telescope tube is to the side of the mount (Fig.c). Tighten the Dec. lock knob. Move the counterweight(s) along the counterweight rod until the telescope is balanced and remains stationary when released. Tighten the counterweight thumb screws to hold counterweight(s) in their new position.

A Telescope should be balanced before each observing session. Balancing reduces stress on the telescope mount and allows precise control of micro-adjustment. A balanced telescope is specially critical when using the optional clock drive for astrophotography. The telescope should be balanced after all accessories (eyepiece, camera, etc.) have been attached. Before balancing your telescope, make sure that your tripod is balanced and on a stable surface. For photography, point the telescope in the direction you will be taking photos before performing the balancing steps.

R.A. Balancing

Dec. Balancing

All accessories should be attached to the telescope before balancing around the declination axis. The R.A. balancing should be done before proceeding with Dec. balancing.

For best results, adjust the altitude of the mount to between 60º and 75º if possible. Release the R.A. lock knob and rotate around the R.A. axis so that the counterweight rod is in a horizontal position. Tighten the R.A. lock knob. Unlock the Dec. lock knob and rotate the telescope tube until it is parallel to the ground. Slowly release the telescope and determine in which direction it rotates. Loosen the telescope tube rings and slide the telescope tube forward or backward in the rings until it is balanced. Once the telescope no longer rotates from its parallel starting position, re-tighten the tube rings and the Dec. lock knob. Reset the altitude axis to your local latitude.

Dec. adjustment

Dec. fine adjustment

R.A. adjustment

R.A. fine adjustment

70 80 90

Latitude scale

perating the EQ5 mount

The EQ5 mount has controls for both conventional altitude (up-down) and azimuth (left-right) directions of motion. These two adjustments are suggested for large direction changes and for terrestrial viewing. The two azimuth adjustment knobs located near the tripod head allow fine-adjustment of azimuth for polar alignment. Use the altitude adjustment T-bolts for altitude adjustments. These allow fine-adjustment for setting the mount to your local latitude. (Fig.f).

In addition, this mount has Right Ascension (hour angle) and declination direction controls for polar-aligned astronomical observing. Loosen the lock knobs to make large direction changes. Use the control cables for fine adjustment after the lock knobs have both been locked (Fig.f1). An additional scale is included for the altitude axis. This allows polar alignment for your local latitude. (Fig.e2)

Fig.f

Altitude adjustment

Azimuth adjustment

Fig.e

Fig.e1

Fig.f1

Fig.e2

perating the NEQ3 mount

The NEQ3 mount has controls for both conventional altitude (up-down) and azimuth (left-right) directions of motion. These two adjustments are suggested for large direction changes and for terrestrial viewing. The two azimuth adjustment knobs located near the tripod head allow fine-adjustment of azimuth for polar alignment. Use the altitude adjustment T-bolts for altitude adjustments. These allow fine-adjustment for setting the mount to your local latitude. (Fig.e).

In addition, this mount has Right Ascension (hour angle) and Declination direction controls for polar-aligned astronomical observing. Loosen the lock knobs to make large direction changes. Use the control cables for fine adjustment after the lock knobs have both been locked (Fig.e1). An additional scale is included for the altitude axis. This allows polar alignment for your local latitude. (Fig.e2)

Altitude adjustment

Azimuth adjustment

Dec. fine adjustment

R.A. fine adjustment

R.A. adjustment

Dec. adjustment

ocusing

olar Alignment

Visual Use

Fig.h

Fig.i

Fig.j

Slowly turn the focus knobs under the focuser, one way or the other, until the image in the eyepiece is sharp (Fig.h). The image usually has to be finely refocused over time, due to small variations caused by temperature changes, flexures, etc. This often happens with short focal ratio telescopes, particularly when they haven't yet reached outside temperature. Refocusing is almost always necessary when you change an eyepiece or add or remove a Barlow lens.

Tracking of celestial objects can be simplified by performing a procedure known as a polar alignment. For visual use the procedure does not require high precision. For satisfactory results all you need to do is point your mount at Polaris, the North Star.

To point at Polaris, start by aiming the north leg of the tripod north. Next, adjust the altitude angle of the mount so that you can see Polaris through the polar axis view port.

Note that the proper altitude angle is equal to your local latitude. If you know your local latitude simply adjust the front and back latitude adjustment bolts until the indicator points to your local latitude on the scale. Fig. j. To find your local latitude you can consult a road map, call your airport, or look it up on the Internet.

Fig.g

sing the Barl

w lens (optional)

A Barlow is a negative lens which increases the magnifying power of an eyepiece, while reducing the field of view. It expands the cone of the focussed light before it reaches the focal point, so that the telescope's focal length appears longer to the eyepiece.

The Barlow is inserted between the focuser and the eyepiece in a reflector, and usually between the diagonal and the eyepiece in a refractor or a maksutov (Fig.g). With some telescopes, it can also be inserted between the focuser and the diagonal, and in this position it gives even greater magnification. For example, a 2X Barlow when inserted after the diagonal can become 3X when placed in front of the diagonal.

In addition to increasing magnification, the benefits of using a Barlow lens include improved eye relief, and reduced spherical aberration in the eyepiece. For this reason, a Barlow plus a lens often outperforms a single lens producing the same magnification. However, its greatest value may be that a Barlow effectively doubles the number of eyepieces in your collection.

Barlow

Diagonal

Eyepiece

(Refracting Telescopes and Maksutovs)

(Reflecting Telescopes)

Barlow

Eyepiece

Polaris

R.A Setting circle

Dec. setting circle

If you can see Polaris through your polar scope view port, you are polar aligned sufficiently for most visual applications.

These are the main controls for adjusting the position of your mount to aim it at Polaris. Here, the latitude is set to approximately 40 degrees. East/west adjustments are made with the Azimuth adjusters.Up/down adjustments are made with the Latitude adjusters.

70 80

Front Latitude adjuster

Rear Latitude adjuster

Azimuth adjusters

Polaris axis view point

You aim your telescope by rotating it along the RA and Dec axes of your mount. In the upper image the telescope is in the HOME position, aimed due north. The side images show the telescope pointing NE (right side) and SW (left side). The bottom image shows the telescope pointing due south.

Fig.m

After pointing at an object and tracking it for a while you may find the counterweight(s) rise above the point of being parallel to the ground. If so, it is time to perform a meridian flip. This is necessary to prevent your telescope from eventually colliding with the mount or tripod.

To do a meridian flip, rotate your telescope 180 degrees in Dec and lock the Dec axis. Now, rotate your mount 12H in RA and lock the RA axis. Using the setting circles to assist you will help you do this more accurately.

When finished you should be pointing at the same object you were pointing at before, but from the opposite side of your mount. Don’t forget to adjust your RA setting circles back to the coordinates of your object. Lock the setscrew when done.

The RA setting circle is numbered from 1 to 24 in 10 minute increments. The example above shows the mount is set to the RA coordinates of 8h 20m. The lower scale marked 1 to 12 is the date scale. The upper scale is the RA minute scale. Both of these can be ignored when using the setting circle scale for finding objects.

Vega is the brightest star in the Summer Triangle, which consists of Deneb (Cygnus), Altair(Aquila) and Vega (Lyra). In this image Vega is at the top. In the sky when facing east it will be the highest of the three stars with Deneb to its left (north) and Altair to its lower right (south).

Fig.n

Fig.o

Now it is time to learn what those numbered dials are for! The dials are called setting circles and they can be used to help you find objects in the sky simply by dialing in a set of coordinates.

All objects in the sky have assigned coordinates labeled Right Ascension (RA for short) and Declination (Dec for short). The RA axis follows east/west movement of the sky and is the primary axis. By periodically rotating the RA axis you are able to follow the apparent motion of the sky and keep objects centered in your eyepiece. This is called tracking.

The Dec axis is for north/south positions. It is primarily used for finding objects, not for tracking them. It is normal, however, to make occasional adjustments to the Dec axis as well. The better your polar alignment, the fewer Dec adjustments you will need to make.

sing the Setting Cir

les

Altair

Vega

Deneb

First you need to calibrate the RA axis (Fig.n). To do this align your telescope to an object with known coordinates and then rotate the RA setting circle to show those coordinates. Leave the setscrew unlocked at this point. Your Dec scale is factory set and does not need to be calibrated in this way. Once you are aimed at the known object the Dec scale should have the correct coordinate reading.

Now as you rotate the scope in RA and Dec, the setting circle values change. So, to find a specific object, you simply turn both the axes until the designated coordinates line up with the pointers on the respective scales. After finding the object, centre it in your eyepiece, then lock the RA set screw securely. This will prevent the RA setting from incrementing as the telescope tracks the object. You only want the RA setting circle to rotate with the mount when you are locating objects, not when tracking them.

Let’s do an example. During summer nights the star Vega shines brightly overhead (Fig.0). Vega is easy to find because it is so much brighter than any other stars in its general vicinity. It’s easiest to find Vega by spotting the Summer Triangle. This is a trio of bright stars in the eastern sky consisting of Deneb (Cygnus), Altair (Aquila) and Vega (Lyra). Vega is the westernmost of the three stars. It will be highest overhead of the three for northern observers. Find Vega and centre it in your eyepiece.

+ 35 hidden pages

Skywatch NEQ3, EQ5 Instruction Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual