![[Home!]](../images/mighty_etx.jpg){kind=small}
Last updated: 13 February 2003
|
Last updated: 13 February 2003 |
Computer telescopes
like Meade ETX-70 with topocentric (Alt/Az) coordinates have to be align before
using the computer control. One of the most used alignment techniques is to
align the telescope to north and horizontal first. Both is not easy in a
natural place. You can use a compass and a spirit level for good results. But
what fails is a simple tool, fast and easy to use. Here is an idea for do it
yourself and for Meade to produce it.
First you need a
plastic or metal tube with 1 ΒΌ inches or 31,75 mm outer diameter like the
ocular diameter. It could have a length of 1 inch. If
there are no matching parts you have to use a thicker tube and a turning lathe.
Then you need 2 parts from a tool shop, a small compass with liquid in it to
cushion the movement of the needle and the main part of a spirit level (picture
1). Then you need a plate of plastic or wood with a hole for the tube. The
plate and the tube have to be connected with glue in a right angle how to see
in picture 2. The compass and the spirit level tube then will be mounted on the
plate or in the prepared holes of the plate (picture 3). Both parts have to be
adjusted, the spirit level tube
horizontal and the compass to the north (picture 4). The best way to do this is
to use the ocular tube of the telescope when it is aligned exactly (horizontal
and to north). Now you can adjust the both parts so on the plate that the
compass is directed to north and the spirit level tube horizontal with the
whole telescope. You have to mark the position of the ocular clamp screw on the
plastic tube and drill a small hole at this position later. This is necessary
for a quick adjustment of the tool in the correct direction. The tool is ready
for use now (picture 5).
|
|
|
|
Picture 1 the both
main parts for the tool |
Picture 2 the tube
and the plate connected by glue |
|
|
|
|
Picture 3 both parts
inserted in the holes of the plate... |
Picture 4 ...and
mounted in the ocular tube |
|
|
|
|
Picture 5 the tool
is ready for use |
|
Return to the top of this page.
Go back to the Tech Tips page.
Go back to the ETX Home Page.
