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Old 16-11-2012, 11:11 AM
Marcus
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Magnetic south

Hi
I have searched the forums but only got more confused.
In Caulfield (Melbourne) where do I point my scope for polar alignment? I understand I need to point my scope Southeast, 12 degrees to the left if facing 'south'. That seems to work but not quite.
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Old 16-11-2012, 11:30 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Marcus View Post
Hi
That seems to work but not quite.
Hi Marcus,
What do you mean by "not quite"?
Have you done a drift align or similar?
Bartman
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Old 16-11-2012, 01:15 PM
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andyc (Andy)
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If you're familiar with the principle of magnetic declination (angle between the geographic and magnetic poles), you can get the current declination value from websites like http://magnetic-declination.com/ . Not sure just how accurate that site is, but look around and see if there's a better site! Note that declinations vary year-to-year as the magnetic pole wanders a bit.

That should get you approximately pointing south using a compass, but also beware of metallic objects near your compass, perhaps including telescopes (!), which will muck up the accuracy of your pointing if using a magnetic compass (see images here for an example http://www.trailmeister.com/HelpfulT...usecompass.htm).

Techniques like drift alignment as bartman suggests would probably be necessary to get a more accurate polar alignment, also accounting for the altitude of the pole above the horizon.
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Old 16-11-2012, 01:24 PM
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+1 to Andy !
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Old 16-11-2012, 02:47 PM
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mithrandir (Andrew)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by andyc View Post
If you're familiar with the principle of magnetic declination (angle between the geographic and magnetic poles), you can get the current declination value from websites like http://magnetic-declination.com/ . Not sure just how accurate that site is, but look around and see if there's a better site! Note that declinations vary year-to-year as the magnetic pole wanders a bit.
That site assumes you are whereever the office of your ISP is located. For Australia, GA has the official figures.

Caulfield, Victoria
Requested: Latitude -37o 53' 00", Longitude 145o 2' 00", Elevation 0 km, Date 2012/11/16
Calculated: Latitude -37.8833o, Longitude +145.0333o, Elevation 0.00 km, Epoch 2012.8743

Magnetic Field Components
D = 11.574 deg
dD = -0.006 deg/yr
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Old 16-11-2012, 02:55 PM
Marcus
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mithrandir View Post
That site assumes you are whereever the office of your ISP is located. For Australia, GA has the official figures.

Caulfield, Victoria
Requested: Latitude -37o 53' 00", Longitude 145o 2' 00", Elevation 0 km, Date 2012/11/16
Calculated: Latitude -37.8833o, Longitude +145.0333o, Elevation 0.00 km, Epoch 2012.8743

Magnetic Field Components
D = 11.574 deg
dD = -0.006 deg/yr
I mean 'not quite' as I was pointing off to the left but could only tell using a DSLR photo due to LP.

I just want to check whether its 180 MINUS 11.574 = 169 not plus, i take it it is. Obviously i need to get a better compass than the one in my iPad. Having fixed my finderscope I will try a drift align next.
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Old 16-11-2012, 06:45 PM
Rob P
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Hi Marcus,

Had to get my head around this when I was at sea.

I was taught to use CADET: Compass to True ADd East

Assuming a deviation of 11.5°E

Compass Bearing : Deviation : True Bearing
168.5° : 11.5° : 180°

Hope this helps.

Rob
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