Bubble Level
The Paramount bubble level is suitable for the most demanding astronomy work and can make polar
alignment easier when no polar alignment scope is available.
Figure 48: Center the bubble in the black ring for best results.
One-tenth of one-inch motion in the level bubble’s level equates to 45 arcminutes of angular “tilt.”
Positioning the bubble in the center of the black ring means the mount is level to within about 5
arcminutes.
Remember, the base of a GEM does not have to be perfectly level to achieve precision tracking. As an
extreme example, provided the equatorial axis is pointed to the refracted celestial pole, the base of a GEM
could be vertical and still follow the stars.
If the mount’s base is not close to horizontal, adjusting one axis pollutes the position of the other axis and
makes the process of polar alignment more difficult.
TheSky and TPoint’s Accurate Polar Alignment is a convenient means to achieve optimal polar alignment.
Declination Axis Locking Hole (Paramount ME Only)
The Paramount ME’s declination axis can be locked into position by screwing two shoulder bolts (supplied
with mount) into these holes.
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