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Before you attach the optical tube, make sure that the declination and right ascension clamps are
tight. The optical tube attaches to the mount via two rings that are mounted on the tube of the
telescope. To mount the telescope tube:
1. Loosen the knobs on the side of the rings. This will allow you to slide the mounting rings
the length of the optical tube.
2. Locate the two screws on either end of the platform for the optical tube (#8).
3. Hold the telescope up to the mount and slide the mounting rings until they are over the screws on
the mounting platform.
4. Place the flat portion of the ring over the mount so that the hole in the ring is over the screw
protruding out of the mounting platform.
5. Tighten the knobs underneath the mounting platform to secure the rings.
6. Tighten the knobs on the side of the mounting rings to prevent the telescope from sliding
forward or backward. These can be loosened later to reposition the telescope during the
balancing process.
Balancing the Telescope
To eliminate undue stress on the mount, the telescope should be properly balanced around the polar axis. In
addition, proper balancing is crucial for accurate tracking if using a clock drive. To balance the mount:
1. Release the R.A. Clamp and position the telescope off to one side of the mount (see figure 2a).
2. GRADUALLY release the telescope to see which way it “rolls.”
3. Loosen a counterweight lock screw and slide the counterweight to a point where it balances the
scope (i.e., the telescope remains stationary when the R.A. clamp is released).
4. Tighten the counterweight lock screw.
The scope is properly balanced in right ascension.
Figure 2a Figure 2b
The telescope should also be balanced in declination to prevent any sudden movement when the Declination
clamp is released. To balance the telescope in Declination:
1. Release the R.A. clamp and rotate the telescope so that it is on one side of the mount (i.e., as described
above for balancing the mount in R.A.).