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INTRODUCTION
The 1200 German equatorial was designed to meet the needs of the advanced observer who requires a mount with
maximum strength and rigidity and minimum weight. The excess material in both axes has been carved out while retaining a
heavily ribbed structure for internal strength and rigidity. A unique dovetail was machined into the mating surfaces of the
R.A. and Dec axes. This feature allows quick and easy assembly in the field without any tools.
The DC servo motor drive with GTO computer system, including the keypad controller with its digital display screen and
DigitalSky Voice software offer extraordinary sophistication for today’s observer. Whether you enjoy visual astronomy
exclusively or plan an aggressive astrophotography or CCD imaging program, this mount will allow you to maximize your
night out under the stars.
The advanced keypad features allow you to slew automatically to objects in a wide range of databases as well as any
RA/Dec coordinate. A large selection of common names for stars and other objects makes your selection a snap. The rapid
slew rate of 5 degrees per second (1200x) allows you to locate objects very quickly and accurately. You will be very pleased
with the intuitive operation of this controller. There are no complicated sequences of keystrokes to remember. It is so easy
to use that even it you don’t use it for a few months, you will feel at home with the keypad very quickly.
DigitalSky Voice software provides additional capabilities to control the movement of your telescope by using two-way
verbal communication with a microphone or by a few clicks of your computer mouse (or touchpad). You can remain at the
eyepiece while you direct your telescope with verbal commands. There is no need to put a flashlight in your mouth to see
the keyboard. You have total control with your voice and/or mouse. Voice control also allows you to retain your dark
adaptation.
The 1200 is equally at home in a permanent observatory or as a portable mounting for remote star parties thanks to the
ease with which the two axes come apart. This is the perfect mount for a large refractor, Newtonian, Cassegrain or
astrograph.
In order to maximize your pleasure on your first night out, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the assembly
and basic operation of the mount indoors. The temperature will be comfortable, the mosquitoes at bay, and you'll have
enough light to see the illustrations and read the manual. Please take particular note of counterbalancing, use of the
clutches and operation of the keypad controller.
Why Polar Alignment is Important
Compensation for the Earth’s rotation
If you were to take a long exposure photograph with
Polaris (often called the north star) in the center of the
field, you would discover that all stars seem to revolve
around Polaris. This effect is due to the rotation of the
earth on its axis. Motor driven equatorial mounts were
designed to compensate for the earth's rotation by
moving the telescope at the same rate and opposite to
the earth's rotation. When the polar axis of the telescope
is pointed at the celestial pole (polar aligned) as shown
in Diagram 1, the mount will follow (track) the motions of
the sun, moon, planets and stars. As a result, the object
that you are observing will appear motionless as you
observe through the eyepiece or take astrophotos.
Diagram 1