Thread: Compass drama
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Old 08-12-2012, 10:36 AM
SteveInNZ
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SteveInNZ is offline
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Auckland, NZ
Posts: 239
You have a CGEM mount - I have a much simpler method then.

The Celestron mounts have a function called "Quick Align". It's not documented very well but the idea is that you point the scope at the celestial pole with the counterweight down. With the time and location correctly set, select "quick align" and the scope sets itself up from that information.

So you can use that function, but backwards to point the axis at the pole.
With the mount turned off, unlock the RA and move it until the counterweight bar is pointing directly down. Now unlock the Dec and move the scope until it is parallel to the RA (polar) axis.
A simple way to get both of them lined up is a bit of string with a weight (plumbob) on the end of the scope. When the piece of string passes the middle of the counterweight bar, both axis are lined up. Alternatively you can use a bubble level, inclinometer, etc.

Lock both axis, turn on the mount, set the time and location and select quick align. When it says done, tell it to slew to something easy to find and unmistakeable. If it's visible, I use the Jewel Box cluster (NGC 4755).
Now move the scope in Alt and Az (not using the hand control) to get the object into the scope. In doing so, you've moved the polar axis to where the real pole is.

You are now polar aligned enough for visual use and are within a turn or two for photographic use. That means that you won't run out of adjustment when you do a final drift alignment.

I travel out to remote sites to use my scope and this gets me in the ballpark every time, regardless of sloping ground, trees in the way, etc. All I need is my phone (for the inclinometer and GPS) and one visible object.


Steve.
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