Here are some photos of a sophisticated, state-of-the-art POM that I have just completed, aka:
Pole Observer’s Module, (POM), or…
South Polar Alignment Module (SPAM), or…
Pole Alignment Template, (PAT), or…
South Pole Alignment Device Enabler, (SPADE), or…
Sigma Octans Acquisition Pointer, (SOAP), or...
Sigma Octans Locator (SOL), or…
Compass Assisted Pole Seeker (CAPS), or…
Compass Enabled South Seeker (CESS)
The POM is not an absolute reference; it is calibrated relative to the position of my Takahashi EM200 and tripod in our back garden, so when I travel to another site, using the POM I will be able to set up the tripod in daylight to within ±1º of the SCP in azimuth.
Future enhancements may include a bubble level to set the altitude accurately as well.
Good one Dennis, I am trying to work out how I can adapt this to my AP tripod.
Point taken, not every one has a warped sense of humour like mine, apologies.
Just to clarify the (incorrect) compass orientation in the close up photo of the compass. The bezel should really have been rotated 180 deg so that S would be at the top of the photo with E on the left.
As it stands, it is incorrect as an absolute reference. However, pictorially it does indicate that for me in Brisbane, the SCP (axis of rotation) is some 11 deg E of the magnetic S Pole and that is the setting I require.
Hmm, they look innocuous enough to me; are there any particular ones that have a double meaning which I may have either overlooked or not understood? I don't really keep up with modern slang etc.
My main concern is H0ughy getting up me for incorrect compass orientation - he is the IIS Guardian of Southern Hemisphere Orientations!
Hmm, they look innocuous enough to me; are there any particular ones that have a double meaning which I may have either overlooked or not understood? I don't really keep up with modern slang etc.
My main concern is H0ughy getting up me for incorrect compass orientation - he is the IIS Guardian of Southern Hemisphere Orientations!
Having thus sorted out my Azimuth alignment, I turned my attention to the Altitude dimension.
Here is an image of a declination shaft template that I designed and made for rough polar alignment. Coupled with my azimuth pointing arm and compass, I can set up the mount within 1 or 2 degrees of the South Celestial Pole for a latitude of 27 deg 30 min.
The DEC shaft side of the template was cut at an angle of 27.5 degrees to the base of the template, and the (top) shorter side is at right angles to the base. So, when I lay a dual axis spirit level on the top edge, I can adjust the mount’s altitude knob to level the bubble, and then I know that the DEC shaft is at an angle of 62.5 degrees to the vertical, which means the Polar Axis is set to 27.5 degrees. This works well for sloping observing sites too.
I used a router to cut a groove in the DEC shaft edge, so that the template would “lock” into place on the DEC shaft. I also fitted a Velcro tab to the template so it would hold the template firmly to the DEC shaft, leaving my hands free for making adjustments.
This is a photo of the SCP this may help you get and idear of the stars around the pole. I have marked sigma octans triangle for you these are the closest naked eye stars to the pole. Around 5th mag.
This is a photo of the SCP this may help you get and idear of the stars around the pole. I have marked sigma octans triangle for you these are the closest naked eye stars to the pole. Around 5th mag.
you see thats wehre most of us city dwellers tend to loose out - we cant visually see 5th mag in the light pollution . great shot BTW showing the SCP
Love it,,, Its a good thread but some are sensitive,,,maybe reword it quik ....
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. great shot BTW showing the SCP
