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Astronomy Basics • 37
Pointing at Polaris
This method utilizes Polaris as a guidepost to the celestial pole. Since Polaris
is less than a degree from the celestial pole, many amateurs simply point the
polar axis of their telescope at Polaris. Although this is by no means a perfect
alignment, it is close. To align using this method:
Align the finderscope with the main optical tube as described in the "Aligning
the Finder" section earlier in the manual.
1 Set the telescope up so that the polar axis is pointing north and the
counterweight shaft is rotated towards the ground.
2 Release the DEC clamp and move the telescope so that the optical tube is
directly over the polar axis (see figure 4-6).
3 Move the mount in altitude and/or azimuth until Polaris is in the field of
view of the finder. Rough azimuth adjustments can be made by moving the
tripod .
4 Center Polaris using the fine altitude and azimuth controls (refer to figure 2-
5). Remember, do not move the telescope in R.A. or DEC. You
want to adjust the direction the mount is pointing and you are
using the telescope to see where the mount is pointing.
5 Once Polaris is in the finder it should also be centered in the telescope. If
not, use the fine adjustment controls to center Polaris in the telescope
field.
6 Rotate the Declination circle, just above the counterweight shaft, to read
90°. Do not move the Declination circle by hand after it is set.
Figure 4-6