Vixen Sphinx SXP - Manual (Page 59)

CAUTION
Chapter 5 APPLICATION
Drift Alignment in the Southern Hemisphere
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Align the mount to the south celestial pole by using the polar axis scope. It will save you a lot of time in the process of drift alignment
Change the Altitude Setting on the SXP Mount
The SXP mount is set for use in the middle latitude zone (latitude of 35 degrees plus/minus 15 degrees) at Vixen's factory. If your
observing site is lower or higher than the range of the middle latitude zone, you need to change the current altitude setting to match the
latitude of your observing site. The range of altitude adjustments is
divided into three positions (low, middle and high) between 0 degrees
Align the Mount in Azimuth
Prepare an eyepiece with illuminated reticle (cross hairs) or you use a Vixen OR12.5mm with illuminated reticle. Choose a bright star
near the celestial equator and near the meridian, and put it in the filed of view of the eyepiece. Turn off the power switch of the mount
momentarily while looking into the eyepiece to see which direction the star moves. Confirm the west and rotate the eyepiece so that one
of the cross hairs is parallel to the east-west direction in the field of view.
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Remove the optical tube and the counterweights from the mount.
Loosen the altitude clamp lever on one side of the mount body where no altitude scale is attached, and turn the altitude adjustment knob
so that the altitude of the mount comes to a position of 35 degrees. Then, tighten the altitude clamp lever.
Loosen a bolt beneath the altitude clamp
lever with the 5mm Allen wrench and remove it.
Loosen the altitude clamp lever while
holding the mount head with the other
hand so that the mount body is moved
slowly to high or low position in altitude.
Move the mount to a position of 55 degrees in altitude if you use the mount in the range of high latitude. Or move the mount to a
position of 15 degrees in altitude of you use the mount in the range of low latitude. Tighten the altitude clamp lever.
Put back the bolt in place and tighten it
with the Allen wrench securely.
Loosen the altitude clamp lever again and
turn the altitude adjustment knob so that
the mount is set at the latitude of your
observing site.
Tighten the altitude clamp lever and the
setting is completed.
The following descriptions are based on a telescope without a star diagonal.
Drive the mount at sidereal rate and look into the eyepiece to monitor the drift motion of the star in the north-south direction.
If the star drifts south (i.e. moves down due to inverted view), move the mount to east in azimuth.
If the star drifts north (i.e. moves up due to inverted view), move the mount to west in azimuth.
Adjust the mount with the azimuth adjustment screws. Make appropriate adjustments to the polar axis to eliminate the drift.
2 Align the Mount in Altitude
Choose a bright star in east but not too low, and put it in the filed of view of the eyepiece. Turn off the power switch of the mount
momentarily while looking into the eyepiece to see in which direction the star moves. Confirm the west and rotate the eyepiece so that
one of the cross hairs is parallel to the east-west direction in the field of view.
The following descriptions are based on a telescope without a star diagonal.
Drive the mount at sidereal rate and look into the eyepiece to monitor a drift motion of the star in the north-south direction.
If the star drifts south (i.e. moves toward the lower left due to inverted view), move the mount to low in altitude.
If the star drifts north (i.e. moves toward the upper right to inverted view), move the mount to high in altitude.
Adjust the mount with the altitude adjustment screws. Make appropriate adjustments to the polar axis to eliminate the drift.
H i g h L a t i t u d e :
Middle Latitude :
L o w l a t i t u d e : 40 degrees up to 70 degrees
20 degrees up to 40 degrees
0 d e g r e e up to 30 degrees
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Never tilt the mount body quickly. It may result in damage or lead to injury.
Azimuth Clamp Lever Azimuth Clamp Lever
Azimuth Clamp Lever Azimuth Clamp Lever
Azimuth Adjustment Knob Azimuth Adjustment Knob
5mm Allen wrench 5mm Allen wrench
5mm Allen wrench 5mm Allen wrench
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