Quote:
Originally Posted by oggie doggie
Is that true?
I thought that the North leg had to point South in the southern hemisphere.
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Hi,
No it does not have to point north but it makes it's easier if you are new to the sky and you want to use a compass to help align the scope using the middle leg to piont at north, just makes it easier this.
The section under Projects & Articles on this site has a blurb on the use of magnetic north to align your scope depending on your location and suggests this method.
I found on most scopes, it really dosn't matter as long as you can polar align the scope. I use the drift method to get it spot on with the help of a illuminated cross-haired eyepiece 12.5mm Meade and either a x3 barlows or x2 barlows depending on the focal length of the scope.
And generaly always set my scopes up with middle leg pointing approximately north first, then check the mount at three points with a bubble level and adjust as necessary before using the drift method.
Takes time but worth the effort in having a nicely aligned scope for the night, especially for pictures and video.