Expert: Paul Wagner - 4/24/2008

Question
The tracking system on my telescope does not appear to be working properly; I would like to know how to test the tracking on my telescope to verify that it is working correctly and how it might be corrected.

Thank you

Nathan


Answer
HI Nathan

Testing the tracking is easy:  point it an an object (ideally along the equator, where the motion is greatest) and see how well it does.  If you look back a few minutes later, and the obejct is nowhere to be found...then you have a problem.  You didn't say if this is a scope with "GOTO" functions or not, but I am assuming that this is a basic equatorial mount that works by following the sky on the polar axis.

But the problem may not be with the tracking system itself.  These things are very senstive to a couple of factors.  

#1.  The polar axis isn't aligned correctly.  This is crucial.  If it isn't aligned with Polaris, it simply won't work.  So that would be my first suggestion--make sure that the scope is correctly aligned for both celestial North and for the proper latitude.  

#2.  Also make sure the scope is on level ground and is quite stable.  Any motion on the base of the mount will make the tracking work improperly.

Hope that helps.

Paul Wagner