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Polar alignment for Visual Astronomy
I saw this quick method of polar aligning your mount for visual astronomy, let me know if it will work -
I have a Skywatcher HEQ5 mount
1/ level the mount with boat type bubble level or digital inclinometer like Accumaster Angle guage
2/ use a 600mm long x 50mm wide x 3mm thick aluminium flat bar and fashion a tight square hole one end to fit over the azimuth post or lug in the centre. Centre align the flat bar to north/ south on the tripod base and drill a hole on the opposite side of the mount base through the flat bar and mount base.Secure flat bar to base with nut and bolt
3/ use a good quality compass like a Silva Ranger 3 and sit compass on end of flat bar centre scribed line
4/ move tripod so compass is pointing magnetic south then adjust tripod again to line up with magnetic declination value of viewing site
5/place mount head on tripod and install telescope
6/ balance telescope with counter weights
7/ set latitude of mount using a digital inclinometer
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