Operating Instructions

1. Getting to know your pole finder

The Omegon MiniTrack pole finder is shown as a black, cylindrical optical instrument with a lens at one end and an eyepiece at the other.

Parts of the Polarscope

• 1. Eyepiece with adjustable viewfinder unit
• 2. Three adjusting screws at 120-degree intervals
• 3. Polarscope
• 4. Pole finder lens

2. Mounting

2.1 Mount the pole finder bracket

Mount the separate pole finder bracket #61415 to the MiniTrack. Video instructions are available at: https://youtu.be/DbflXXauxh4.

2.2 Secure the pole finder

Place the pole finder in the bracket and ensure it is securely held.

3. Aligning the pole finder on the mount

These steps can be performed during the day after installing the pole finder on the MiniTrack.

3.1 Position the MiniTrack

Place the MiniTrack on your tripod and point the mounted polarscope towards a distant object, such as a church tower, chimney, or pylon.

3.2 Focus the viewfinder

Look through the pole finder optics and adjust the viewfinder until the object is in focus.

3.3 Center the object

Center the object in the middle of the pole finder and rotate the pole finder 180 degrees in its bracket.

3.4 Observe drift

Note how far the object has moved from the crosshair. This drift indicates the pole finder is not yet precisely aligned with the MiniTrack's rotational axis.

3.5 Adjust screws

Using the provided hex key, move the object halfway towards the center of the crosshair using the three adjusting screws.

3.6 Final centering

Center the object in the middle of the crosshair by moving the tripod and rotating the pole finder 180 degrees. If the object has moved from the center again, repeat steps 3.5 and 3.6 until the object remains centered without drifting.

4. Aligning the mount with the north celestial pole

Note: Several methods exist for aligning the mount. This guide describes the method using the reticle images.

4.1 Orient towards North

Orient the mount towards North until the Pole Star is visible in the pole finder. Adjust focus using the viewfinder if necessary.

4.2 Identify constellations

Locate the images of constellations such as Cassiopeia and the Plough in the pole finder. For the Southern hemisphere, identify the Southern Cross and Achernar.

4.3 Memorize positions

Using your naked eye, find the same constellations in the sky and memorize their current positions.

Illustration of the reticle plate within the pole finder, displaying celestial patterns such as Cassiopeia and the Plough, along with a central crosshair and concentric alignment circles.

4.4 Correlate images

Look through the polarscope and rotate it until the constellation images within the pole finder match their current positions in the sky.

Note: The view through the polarscope is a miniature representation. You are seeing reticle images, not the actual sky. Compare the pole finder's view with the actual sky to ensure accurate alignment.

4.5 Align Pole Star

Adjust your tripod's azimuthal and vertical axes until the Pole Star is positioned within the central circle of the crosshair. Your mount is now aligned with the north celestial pole. For the Southern hemisphere, align Sigma and Chi Octantis with their corresponding images.

Illustration depicting a telescope mount with the pole finder attached, aimed at the sky, with visual cues for adjusting the mount's axes for alignment.

Note: Equatorial mounts can also be aligned using smartphone pole finder apps, available on the Play Store or App Store.