<p>This platform is similar to a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equatorial_mount#German_equatorial_mount" rel="nofollow noreferrer">German equatorial mount</a>.
Though it may seem awkward at first, it can point anywhere in the sky using only the two labeled axes.
The &quot;X&quot; axis is for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equatorial_coordinate_system#Hour_angle" rel="nofollow noreferrer">hour angle</a>; the &quot;Y&quot; axis is for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equatorial_coordinate_system#Declination" rel="nofollow noreferrer">declination</a>.
The relation between <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equatorial_coordinate_system#Right_ascension" rel="nofollow noreferrer">right ascension</a> and hour angle is a linear function of time.</p>
<p>The photos in the question show the binoculars pointing near the pole (declination 90°).
To point at something on the equator (declination 0°) e.g. Orion's belt:</p>
<ol>
<li>Determine whether the target is in the eastern or western half of the sky.</li>
<li>With the counterweight down as shown, rotate the declination (Y) axis so that the binoculars are at a right angle to the other axis, pointing at the horizon in the same half of the sky as the target. (For another declination <em>δ</em>, make that angle 90° - <em>δ</em>.)</li>
<li>Rotate the hour angle (X) axis so that the binoculars point toward the target.</li>
</ol>
<p>When crossing between the eastern and western halves of the sky, such mounts require a &quot;meridian flip&quot; on both axes.
With practice, you'll get used to that and can plan your observing session around it.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-16T17:52:12.207Z
2020-12-16T17:52:12.207Z
Mike G
<p>I own such a mount. You can turn it to wherever you want by loosening the right ascension (the black “knob” that’s touching the white part just below right of the greenish dovetail plate. You can also loosen the declination with the “knob” that’s around the mounting bolt.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-16T15:40:58.053Z
If I turn that won't I loose the polar alignment that is achieved ?
user1612986
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-16T16:28:01.337Z
I have two degrees of freedom without disrupting the polar alignment. I can rotate along the x or y axis. If I try to rotate anything using the parts in the circle I will loose polar alignment. 
In order to observe something right of the plane (defined by: on which the y axis lies that is the y-z plane): First I will have to rotate the binocular along the y-axis by 180 (but that makes it point to the ground). Second I will have to rotate along a z-axis to point it to the sky -- which I have no controls to do.
user1612986
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-17T01:35:21.707Z
The knobs I mention are for turning on the x or the y axes.
Pierre Paquette
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-16T02:28:12.860Z
2020-12-16T02:28:12.860Z
Pierre Paquette
<p>I am a complete newbie on trying to figure out how to attach the binocular on the starwatcher tracker.
I am having problem with the angle. This is the issue I am having:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>I align the skywatcher tracker to the north star (Polaris), (I am at 40 degree longitude)</p>
</li>
<li><p>I attach the L shaped bracket on the skywatcher tracker. This L shaped will be able to support my binocular.  Once I attach the binocular which it sits parallel on the short leg of the &quot;L&quot; shaped bracket i.e. parallelly aligned to the pole star.</p>
</li>
<li><p>Now the problem is as as follows: I have the polar axis. Also consider a plane which is perpendicular to the polar axis passing through my center of my tripod. I am able to view objects on the side of the plane which has the north star. But I am unable to view any objects on the opposite side. If I turn my binocular around it will have towards the ground instead of the sky.</p>
</li>
</ol>
<p>Am I missing an attachment here, or do I have something wrongly configured? Any help or comments is much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/4I0Cc.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/4I0Cc.jpg" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>
<p>photo added. Say the binocular is focused at the north star. But the object I am trying to watch is behind the plane which is defined by the green L-bracket in the photograph. the binocular can rotate about the polar axis (which is perpendicular the plane defined by the green L-bracket)</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/b6MFy.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/b6MFy.jpg" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>
<p>I have two degrees of freedom without disrupting the polar alignment. I can rotate along the x or y axis. If I try to rotate anything using the parts in the circle I will loose polar alignment.
In order to observe something right of the plane (defined by: on which the y axis lies that is the y-z plane): First I will have to rotate the binocular along the y-axis by 180 (but that makes it point to the ground). Second I will have to rotate along a z-axis to point it to the sky -- which I have no controls to do.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-15T21:32:16.773Z
1) Some images of a skywatcher tracker would be helpful to understand what you are talking about. Images with your binoculars mounted would be even better. 2) What type of binoculars (power x size). I think I have never seen binoculars on an equatorial mount. Most binoculars give a "large" field of view, so regular tripod motion (left-right and up-down) are usually sufficient.
JohnHoltz
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-15T21:57:06.830Z
photo added. Say the binocular is focused at the north star. But the object I am trying to watch is behind the plane which is defined by the green L-bracket in the photograph. the binocular can rotate about the polar axis (which is perpendicular the plane defined by the green L-bracket)
user1612986
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-16T00:44:56.080Z
I own such a mount. You can turn it to wherever you want by loosening the right ascension (the black “knob” that’s touching the white part just below right of the greenish dovetail plate. You can also loosen the declination with the “knob” that’s around the mounting bolt.
Pierre Paquette
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-16T01:37:19.630Z
@PierrePaquette. Please post your comment as an answer since you have the mount and you are familiar with it.
JohnHoltz
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-16T02:28:28.510Z
@JohnHoltz done!
Pierre Paquette
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-16T17:01:40.617Z
by the way. the tracker when switched on will rotate the binocular attachments along the x-axis to track the sky.
user1612986
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-16T17:45:53.107Z
Binoculars are usually mounted on an alt-az mount, or some other sort of alt-az arrangement, or on a tripod head.  If you want to use binoculars on an equatorial mount, you will need a very flexible body and neck.
Dr Chuck
<binoculars><alignment>
How to attach binoculars on starwatcher tracker?
user1612986
# How to attach binoculars on starwatcher tracker?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-12-15)

I am a complete newbie on trying to figure out how to attach the binocular on the starwatcher tracker.
I am having problem with the angle. This is the issue I am having:

1. I align the skywatcher tracker to the north star (Polaris), (I am at 40 degree longitude)
2. I attach the L shaped bracket on the skywatcher tracker. This L shaped will be able to support my binocular. Once I attach the binocular which it sits parallel on the short leg of the "L" shaped bracket i.e. parallelly aligned to the pole star.
3. Now the problem is as as follows: I have the polar axis. Also consider a plane which is perpendicular to the polar axis passing through my center of my tripod. I am able to view objects on the side of the plane which has the north star. But I am unable to view any objects on the opposite side. If I turn my binocular around it will have towards the ground instead of the sky.

Am I missing an attachment here, or do I have something wrongly configured? Any help or comments is much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/4I0Cc.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/4I0Cc.jpg)

photo added. Say the binocular is focused at the north star. But the object I am trying to watch is behind the plane which is defined by the green L-bracket in the photograph. the binocular can rotate about the polar axis (which is perpendicular the plane defined by the green L-bracket)

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/b6MFy.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/b6MFy.jpg)

I have two degrees of freedom without disrupting the polar alignment. I can rotate along the x or y axis. If I try to rotate anything using the parts in the circle I will loose polar alignment.
In order to observe something right of the plane (defined by: on which the y axis lies that is the y-z plane): First I will have to rotate the binocular along the y-axis by 180 (but that makes it point to the ground). Second I will have to rotate along a z-axis to point it to the sky -- which I have no controls to do.

**Tags:** binoculars, alignment

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: 1) Some images of a skywatcher tracker would be helpful to understand what you are talking about. Images with your binoculars mounted would be even better. 2) What type of binoculars (power x size). I think I have never seen binoculars on an equatorial mount. Most binoculars give a "large" field of view, so regular tripod motion (left-right and up-down) are usually sufficient.  
> **username_0**: photo added. Say the binocular is focused at the north star. But the object I am trying to watch is behind the plane which is defined by the green L-bracket in the photograph. the binocular can rotate about the polar axis (which is perpendicular the plane defined by the green L-bracket)  
> **username_2**: I own such a mount. You can turn it to wherever you want by loosening the right ascension (the black “knob” that’s touching the white part just below right of the greenish dovetail plate. You can also loosen the declination with the “knob” that’s around the mounting bolt.  
> **username_1**: @username_2. Please post your comment as an answer since you have the mount and you are familiar with it.  
> **username_2**: @username_1 done!  
> **username_0**: by the way. the tracker when switched on will rotate the binocular attachments along the x-axis to track the sky.  
> **username_3**: Binoculars are usually mounted on an alt-az mount, or some other sort of alt-az arrangement, or on a tripod head.  If you want to use binoculars on an equatorial mount, you will need a very flexible body and neck.  

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2020-12-16. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

This platform is similar to a [German equatorial mount](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equatorial_mount#German_equatorial_mount).
Though it may seem awkward at first, it can point anywhere in the sky using only the two labeled axes.
The "X" axis is for [hour angle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equatorial_coordinate_system#Hour_angle); the "Y" axis is for [declination](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equatorial_coordinate_system#Declination).
The relation between [right ascension](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equatorial_coordinate_system#Right_ascension) and hour angle is a linear function of time.

The photos in the question show the binoculars pointing near the pole (declination 90°).
To point at something on the equator (declination 0°) e.g. Orion's belt:

1. Determine whether the target is in the eastern or western half of the sky.
2. With the counterweight down as shown, rotate the declination (Y) axis so that the binoculars are at a right angle to the other axis, pointing at the horizon in the same half of the sky as the target. (For another declination *δ*, make that angle 90° - *δ*.)
3. Rotate the hour angle (X) axis so that the binoculars point toward the target.

When crossing between the eastern and western halves of the sky, such mounts require a "meridian flip" on both axes.
With practice, you'll get used to that and can plan your observing session around it.


---

### Answer by username_2 on 2020-12-16. Score: 2

I own such a mount. You can turn it to wherever you want by loosening the right ascension (the black “knob” that’s touching the white part just below right of the greenish dovetail plate. You can also loosen the declination with the “knob” that’s around the mounting bolt.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: If I turn that won't I loose the polar alignment that is achieved ?  
> **username_0**: I have two degrees of freedom without disrupting the polar alignment. I can rotate along the x or y axis. If I try to rotate anything using the parts in the circle I will loose polar alignment.  In order to observe something right of the plane (defined by: on which the y axis lies that is the y-z plane): First I will have to rotate the binocular along the y-axis by 180 (but that makes it point to the ground). Second I will have to rotate along a z-axis to point it to the sky -- which I have no controls to do.  
> **username_2**: The knobs I mention are for turning on the x or the y axes.  

---

