Tracking with Motor Drive

[Visions]

Hi, Can anyone tell me if I have this thought process correct?

My scope is a Celestron Astromaster 130EQ MD

If I set up my scope with the leg which has the counterweight above it aligned to the south, can I then align a star or planet using the finder scope and throw on the motor switch to keep the scope aligned with that star?
:)

[raymo]

Yes you can, but with only rough polar alignment, you will need fairly
frequent nudges of the Dec axis slow motion control. The motor will track
quite well in Right Ascension, but the star drift perpendicular to the drive direction will vary according to how accurately the mount is aligned with the South Celestial Pole. On a night with good alignment you should be able to keep the star in the field of view of a low power eyepiece for many minutes.
raymo

[Visions]

Thanks

[kens]

You also need to set the altitude adjustment near the base of the mount to your latitude. You might already know this but just in case...

[Visions]

I believe its 32 degrees for Perth. But wont I need to change that in order to point the scope at a particular star?

[raymo]

That setting stays the same unless you move the scope somewhere
with a different latitude. You swivel the scope around both axes to
locate your target. When it is found you lock the clutches on both axes
and start the motor.
raymo

[Visions]

Thanks again. I think Ive got it now.