If I remember correctly, on my polar scope there is a circle in the middle
and on that circle is a little circle that you place polaris in. It will
then be properly offset from the dead center of the alignment scope
By doing this, how close of a polar alignment would you estimate one can
achieve?
----- Original Message -----
From: Peter Santangeli <psantangeli@No-Spam>
To: <sf-bay-tac@No-Spam>
Sent: Thursday, June 29, 1999 4:48 PM
Subject: Polar Alignment - First Light: JMI NGT-12.5
>
> Not sure if I am following your description but...
>
> Polaris isn't actually at the celestial pole. I forget how far off
> it is, but I'm guessing that's what your circle represents - the
> distance from the pole.
>
> In my Losmandy scope, there are multiple lines going from the center
> of the reticles rotation. One of them has a "gap" into which you
> place Polaris.
>
> Two of the other lines have need to be lined up with two other stars
> (don't have charts with me, so I don't know which they
> are - the are typically the only other bright-ish stars in the
> field). These lines too have "gaps" for these stars to be positioned in.
>
> Three points give you absolute orientation. Once you have all three
> stars centered in their respective gaps, you are assured that you
> are aligned. The patience part come in in that you need to rotate the
> reticle, then change your alignment, then rotate again, then change
> again, etc, etc. Eventually you get the rotation correct, and the
> stars just fall into place.
>
> The reticle also has diagrams of the dipper and Cassiopea that help
> give you a start on the rotation.
>
> Does that make sense?
>
> Pete
>
>
>
> >
> > Here's a polar alignment question for you... My polar axis scope has a
> > little circle in the middle and a position on that circle marked where
you
> > are supposed to "place" polaris so that it is properly aligned.
> > Of course
> > since it is a circle, I would assume that as long as polaris in on that
> > circle it wouldn't have to be in that spot, since all you have to do is
> > rotate that actual polar axis scope inside the mount for the spot to be
on
> > polaris..
> >
> > Did this make any sense at all?
> >
> > Robert. . .
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Peter Santangeli <psantangeli@No-Spam>
> > To: <sf-bay-tac@No-Spam>
> > Sent: Thursday, June 29, 1999 12:44 PM
> > Subject: First Light: JMI NGT-12.5
> >
> >
> > > >.With a focal length this long, even a
> > > > p.a. scope will not be accurate enough. You'll need to use the
> > > > drift method.
> > >
> > > Not sure I totally agree with this... I find that patience in
> > > using the polar scope well gives me better results than patience
> > > in drifting using a C11 at F6.5 or so. Polar scopes can be finicky
> > > things, but once you get the hang of them you can do some pretty
> > > decent alignments (again with patience... did I mention that
> > > patience was required?:-).
> > >
> > > I've gone as long as 1hr45m (actually, last weekend) with
> > > scope alignment with no noticable trailing.
> > >
> > > Probably depends on which technique you are most comfortable
> > > and confident with.
> > >
> > > Pete
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>
>