QUESTAR 3-1/2 FORK DECLINATION VERNIER MANUAL DRIVE

This accessory made for the Questar 3-1/2 astronomical models. It was discontinued in the mid 1980's and has since replaced by the Motorized Declination Drive

Declination Vernier Manual Drive for the Questar Duplex and Questar Standard telescopes (188,292 bytes). Note the flexible cable and hand knob, the Gear Reduction Box, and the Bracket assembly that permits one to clamp the assembly onto the Fork Side Arm. The machined aluminum knob was put in place of the original Hand Knob, and this could be left in place for use with or without the Vernier Manual Drive Assembly.

The unit shown here was among the last Vernier Manual Drives sold, it was purchased by our customer in about 1986 for his Questar Standard telescope.

Introduction: The Questar 3-1/2 telescopes have been in production since 1954 with some changes over the decades, while the first Questar Seven S/N Serial No. P-7-1 was introduced in the Spring of 1967. As the Earth rotates along its axis, objects in the sky appear to move in an arc rising on one horizon, climbing into the sky then descending and setting on the opposite horizon. Fork and German style equatorial mounts were developed so that telescopes could compensating for the Earth's rotation by moving in the exact opposite direction and same apparent speed as the Earth rotates and this keeps objects in the field of view providing convenience. By the 1960's astrophotography was becoming more and more possible to the amateur with the advancement of film technologies and new specialized accessories (Off Axis Guider, etc.). One of these devices provides the Questar 3-1/2 fork mount user the capability to make fine adjustments to facilitate tracking of celestial objects; the results have been magnificent to behold - a blending of 20th century practicality and uncommon craftsmanship.