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32
Locating the Celestial Pole
To get basic bearings at an observing location, take note of where the Sun rises (East) and sets
(West) each day. After the site is dark, face North by pointing your left shoulder toward where
the Sun set. To precisely point at the pole, find the North Star (Polaris) by using the Big Dipper
as a guide (Fig. 33).
IMPORTANT NOTE: For almost all astronomical observing requirements, approximate settings
are acceptable. Do not allow undue attention to precise alignment of the telescope to interfere
with your basic enjoyment of the instrument.
APPENDIX A
Polaris
Little Dipper
Big Dipper
Cassiopeia
Fig. 33: Locating Polaris.