Log in

View Full Version here: : Polar Align


Harley
14-02-2013, 07:03 PM
Hi all :hi:
Just have a question on Polar Alignment on a Celestron NexStar4 with built in wedge having a little difficulty have read the instructions over and over just a little confused.
I position the tripod so as the tilt plate hinge is facing north the front of the scope tube will be facing south I have been told it should be facing 11deg south west.
I loosen the latitude lock and tilt the latitude plate 37.35 deg for my area Craigieburn Vic tighten bolt.
Set altitude markers so they meet
On the hand control I set EQ south alignment enter time date excetara then I am ask to find Meridian ?.
Is the Meridian between the Horizon and the Zenith?? That's where I point the scope.
Base on that information the nexustar will display suitable stars that are above the horizon to slew to.
Centre in eyepiece press align
Then when I ask it to slew to a planet or consolation it isn't even close I
Know I must be doing something wrong but am unsure as to what HELP Please.

If I do a sky align be it a one ,two or three star it works fine.
Any help would be appreciated ..
Gil
:help:

Nikolas
14-02-2013, 07:23 PM
south east not southwest

Nikolas
14-02-2013, 07:24 PM
http://www.astronomyforum.net/australian-astronomy-forum/77261-polar-alignment-australia-southern-hemisphere.html

Have a good read because it is brilliant and it works

Lee
14-02-2013, 08:08 PM
The meridian for a particular location is an imaginary line traced from the celestial pole through zenith and back to the other horizon.... so all objects 'transit' (reach their highest altitude) at the meridian.

2stroke
14-02-2013, 08:38 PM
http://www.backyardvoyager.com/palign-2.html lol its so confusing when you first start out, I will do a youtube video one night as seeing how to polar align and drift is much easy there putting into words which can easily be adsorbed.

Nikolas
15-02-2013, 09:59 AM
aligning to the north star is a problem down south.

Lee
15-02-2013, 10:47 AM
You just need a really big hole!