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How to Calibrate the RA Setting Circle of the Sky-Watcher SK804TAEQ Tabletop Telescope

The RA (Right Ascension) setting circle calculates the angular distance of a celestial body from the vernal equinox along the celestial equator. This distance is measured eastward. Note that the RA setting circle is read in hours, which are further divided into 10-minute segments by small lines. The upper set of numbers is used to view the northern hemisphere, while the lower set is used to read the southern hemisphere. Here is how to calibrate the RA setting circle of the Sky-watcher SK804TAEQ Tabletop Telescope:

Things You'll Need

Sky-Watcher SK804TAEQ Tabletop Telescope

Instructions

- 1
  Locate a star in your field of view. It must have known coordinates. For e.g.: You can choose the star Vega from the Constellation Lyra. The star chart clearly mentions that the RA coordinate of Vega is 18h 36m.
- 2
  Locate the RA and DEC lock knobs on the mount and loosen them.
- 3
  Adjust the telescope to bring the star right in the center of the field of view.
- 4
  Tighten the RA and DEC lock knobs to fix the mount in that position.
- 5
  Rotate the RA knob till it reads the same co-ordinates as mentioned in the star chart. For e.g.: The reading should be 18h 36m if you have chosen the star Vega from the Constellation Lyra.

Astronomy