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Setting Circles For Skywatcher EQ5The quickest way to find objects is to learn the constellations and use the finderscope, but if the object is too faint you may want to use setting circles on an equatorial mount. Setting circles enable you to locate celetial objects whose celestial co-ordinates have been determined from star charts.Your telescope must be polar aligned and the R.A.settingcircle must be calibrated before using the setting circles. Reading The RA Setting Circle The telescope's R.A. setting circle is scaled in hours, from 1through 24, with small lines in between representing 10 minuteincrements. The upper set of numbers apply to viewing in theNorthern Hemisphere, while the numbers below them applyto viewing in the Southern Hemisphere. The quickest way to find objects is to learn the Constellationsand use the finderscope, but if the object is too faint you maywant to use setting circles on an equatorial mount. The section next to the setcrew is scaled in minutes, from 1 through 10,representing the exact minute within the 10 minute increments. In the case of Fig.a , the R.A. setting circle pointer indicatesapproximately 8 hours and 20 minutes. Now look for the number in the minute scale that aligns with any line on themain R.A. setting circle. In this case, it is 1. The reading on this R.A. setting circle, therefore, is 8 hours and 21 minutes. Calibrating The RA Setting Circle In order to set your Right Ascension circle you must first find a star in your field of view with known coordinates. A good one would be the 0.0 magnitude star Vega in the Constellation Lyra. From a star chart we know the R.A. coordinate of Vega is 18h 36m.Loosen the R.A. and DEC. lock bolts on the mount. Centre Vega in the telescope's field of view. Now rotate the R.A. setting circle until it reads 18h36m. Finding Object Example: Finding the faint planetary nebula M57; "The Ring" From a star chart, we know the coordinates of the Rings are Dec. 33º and R.A. 18h52m. Set 33º on your DEC circle, 18h52m on your R.A. circle and the Ring Nebula should be in the field of view. Use low power until the object is found, then centre it in the field for high power examination. Sometimes it is convenient to find an object with the DEC coordinate only. We could have found the Ring by setting 33º on the DEC circle, then traversing through Lyra in R.A. until it appeared in the field of view. Note: To locate an object in the eyepiece, first locate the object in the finderscope view. The finderscopeallows magnification of a larger area than the higher power telescope view. Finderscope should be aligned during daytime before use. Video below shows HEQ5 PRO Polar Scope Calibration... Return From Setting Circles For Skywatcher EQ5 To Skywatcher Telescopes Main Page Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Sitemap | Contact | Link To Us
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