How to Balance the Right Ascension of The Sky-Watcher SK804TAEQ Tabletop Telescope

By eHow Electronics Editor

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Right Ascension (RA) is one of the sky coordinates. It is similar to the longitude of Earth. To find objects that are faint and difficult to trace, we have to use setting circles. This helps locate stars and other celestial objects whose coordinates have been predetermined from star charts. But before that, one should regulate the RA setting circle, located at the base of the telescope. The hours in the RA setting circle run from 1 to 24. There are small sub-divisions of minutes and seconds in between. Since there are 24 hours in a day and 360 degrees in a circle, an hour of right ascension is measured as 15 degrees. Here is how to balance the right ascension of the Sky-Watcher SK804TAEQ Tabletop Telescope.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

Star chart
EQ1 mount

Step1

Select a star with known coordinates in your field of view.

Step2

Loosen the RA and Declination (DEC) lock knobs on the EQ1 mount and direct the telescope to a position so that the chosen star lies in the center of the eyepiece’s field of view.

Step3

Re-tighten the knobs to secure the mount in place.

Step4

Rotate the RA setting circle until it shows the same coordinates as determined by the star chart for the chosen star.

Tips & Warnings

As a start, choose 0.0 magnitude star Vega in the constellation Lyra with coordinates 18 hours, 36 minutes.
Observe during early morning, as still air will make the viewing clear and convenient.
Polar align the telescope accurately and calibrate the RA setting circle before using the setting circles. Otherwise, the RA setting circle may not show the results accurately.