The Sky-Watcher SK804TAEQ Tabletop Telescope has two types of setting circles-RA (Right Ascension) and DEC (Declination). These are used for locating faint objects in the night sky with the help of star charts. The RA (Right Ascension) setting circle calculates the angular distance of a celestial body from the vernal equinox along the celestial equator. The DEC setting circle measures the angular distance to a celestial object from the celestial equator. View the celestial objects using setting circles after you have polar-aligned your telescope and calibrated its RA setting circle. Here is do it:
Instructions
1. Select any object whose RA and DEC coordinates are known. For example, RA is mentioned as 13 hours, 23 minutes and 13.456 seconds while the DEC is stated as +34 degrees, 45 arcminutes and 23.456 arcseconds.
2. Locate the DEC lock knob. Open and rotate it until the DEC coordinates on the circle are the same as the coordinates mentioned in the star chart.
3. Tighten the DEC lock knob once you get the desired coordinates.
4. Locate the RA lock knob. Open and rotate it until the coordinates on the circle are the same as the coordinates mentioned in the star chart.
5. Tighten the RA lock knob once you get the desired coordinates.
6. Locate the star through the red dot finder and check whether it is in the center.
7. Adjust the RA and DEC flexible cables to get the object in the center of the crosshairs of the red dot finder. Check whether the object is at the center of view of the telescope.
Tags: lock knob, setting circle, angular distance, angular distance celestial, celestial equator, chart Tighten
