Vixen SXD2 - Page 61

Field of view of the polar alignment scope Real field of view (in the southern sky)
Real field of view
(in the southern sky)
Alpha Eridani
Southern Cross
Note:
Octans is a constellation located near the south celestial pole and it can be used to align the equatorial mount telescopes in the
southern hemisphere. Unlike Polaris which is a bright 2nd magnitude star adjacent to the north celestial pole, Octans is made
up of dark stars about 5th magnitude on average. The nearest star to the south celestial pole is Sigma Octantis, which is one
of four stars forming a trapezoid in Octans, visible at 5.5th magnitude. Practice may be required for locating the inconspicuous
Sigma, Tau and Chi of Octans.
Note:
Both the Southern Cross and Alpha Eridani on the reticle are positioned to correspond to the real sky. They are used as a
guidepost to know the turning direction of the polar alignment reticle. The locations of the Southern Cross and Alpha Eridani on
the reticle have no relation to the locations of the Octantis stars on the reticle.
Note:
The real stars of the Southern Cross (or
Alpha Eridani) are not visible in the field of
view of the polar alignment scope.
While looking into the polar alignment scope, turn the polar scope body so that the
engraved Southern Cross (or broken line in the direction toward Alpha Eridani) on
the reticle directs the Southern Cross (or Alpha Eridani) in the real sky.
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Chapter 5APPLICATION
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