Starizona'sPolar Alignment drift method

[Dennis G]

I was impressed with the simplisity of this method, but unable to email a question I hope a IIS reader can answer my questions. The article is written for the Northern hemisphere. For Azimuth(RA) You are asked to sight a star on the meridian, due south.Rotate the diagonal so that you are on the north side of the scope. In my opinion you would be standing on the north side directly behind the scope and the diagonal with the EP vertical to the OT.
Altitude (Dec) sight a star in the east and rotate the diagonal so that you are standing on the southside of the scope. Why rotate the diagonal? Or am I missing something?
For the southern hemisphere the drift movements are reversed? Do we still use an east star for Dec?

[stardust steve]

Hi Dennis. I am the opposite of an expert in this field but i do have some bookmarks i have save that might help you. I have found some tutorials are easier to understand than others. Here they are i hope they help.
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?p=830070#post830070 (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?
p=830070#post830070) http://www.users.on.net/~pbl/art_sh_polar_alignment.htm
http://astronomy.abigbluesky.com/index.php/articles/how-toos/52-technical/80-polar-alignment-without-polaris
http://www.rogergroom.com/astronomy/info_polaralignment
Good luck:thumbsup: EDIT- as far as i know rotating the diagonal would make viewing easier and easier to tell if the star drifts north or south. I choose a star low on the Eastern horizon to set Alt.

[Dennis G]

many thanks Steve for taking the time to reply. The final part of one answers most. Much appreciated. Dennis