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Old 06-08-2009, 12:22 AM
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AstroTourist (Terry)
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AstroTourist is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 111
I regularly take my Losmandy mount to different observing sites and find using a laser pointer valuable for quick, easy and accurate polar alignment. I have found a plastic irrigation fitting that after a little bit of modification is perfect for the job. The fitting is intended to be used to reduce the size of a pipe so has a big end and a small end.
The big end fits snugly over the rear (eyepiece) end of the polar scope and the small end is just the right size (after slight enlarging) for the laser pointer to be inserted into and as it slides in, the on button is activated. This shines the laser pointer up the polar scope aligned with the axis of the polar scope. I use binos to observe where the beam is pointing and adjust the mount in altitude and azimuth to align that exactly on the pole. Of course we have no Polaris but with a bit of practice it is easy to recognise and be familiar with the exact point in the sky for the SCP using the equilateral triangle with Sigma Octans at the apex as a guide to home in. After that only a final very minor tweak to align the guide stars in the polar scope is necessary.
Prior to using this method I was always frustrated trying to recognise the star pattern in the polar scope. Now it is dead easy the alignment stars are bang in the right place. It could not be easier.
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