Hey guys and girls,
I have a German-type EQ mount. I've balanced the scope in the declination and right ascension axes through setting the counterweight position appropriately. I understand that the right-ascension axis has to be set to my latitude.
What I don't understand are the dials (marked 0-23 on the RA axis and every 10 degrees on the DE axis) on both axes. Especially the fact that the RA axis dial can be moved around...
So the idea is...
- Set up mount and scope.
- Aim RA axis to south pole (not magnetic south).
- Set RA axis to latitude.
- Then ???
I understand that objects can be pinpointed by RA/DE - but I also don't understand in stellarium what the different references are... you have
- RA/DE (J2000)
- RA/DE (of date)
- Hour angle/DE
I know this is an ultra-noob topic - but I searched and couldn't find anything comprehensive as a thread...
If someone can please guide me through the rest of the steps and how to use the EQ mount appropriately, that'd be great!
