Polar Scope use in New Zealand

[maguro77 (Joyce)]

Hi folks, i am planning a trip to Queenstown NZ (longitude 168 degrees E) with my Vixen Polarie setup. I have tried to google for answers but to no avail.

I am going to use the Polarie Polar Scope for PA. The polar scope allows compensation for the actual longitude within the specific timezone. Here's my confusion:

1) When i check time zone maps with longitude - Queenstown looks like it falls within the GMT + 11 (DST would be +12) which is the longitude of 165 degrees east.

So by right, i should adjust 3 degrees East to compensate

2) However, when i check the actual time zone, it tells me Queenstown is GMT + 12 (DST +13) which would then coincide with 180 degrees East. Which would mean that i need to adjust 12 degrees west to compensate.

I am thoroughly confused and need some NZ folks to point me out. I must be missing something really really major or just plain dense.....

Thanks a bunch!

[mithrandir (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by maguro77

Hi folks, i am planning a trip to Queenstown NZ (longitude 168 degrees E) with my Vixen Polarie setup. I have tried to google for answers but to no avail.

I am going to use the Polarie Polar Scope for PA. The polar scope allows compensation for the actual longitude within the specific timezone. Here's my confusion:

1) When i check time zone maps with longitude - Queenstown looks like it falls within the GMT + 11 (DST would be +12) which is the longitude of 165 degrees east.

So by right, i should adjust 3 degrees East to compensate

2) However, when i check the actual time zone, it tells me Queenstown is GMT + 12 (DST +13) which would then coincide with 180 degrees East. Which would mean that i need to adjust 12 degrees west to compensate.

I am thoroughly confused and need some NZ folks to point me out. I must be missing something really really major or just plain dense.....

Joyce, the whole of NZ (except Chatham Island) operates at UTC+12 in winter and UTC+13 in summer. You can use which ever of 1) or 2) matches how your clock is set.
The longitude adjustment is there to best set the orientation of the polar scope with the alignment stars at the current time. If you get it wrong what you will see is the stars are rotated relative to the engraved reticule. As long as they are consistently clockwise or anticlockwise it will still be OK.

[alocky (Andrew lockwood)]

Hi Joyce - as Andrew has said you will just see the reticle rotated relative to the stars. Unfortunately the octans trapezium is very faint, but I was able to see it from near the centre of Wellington so you should be fine. Because the Octans trapezium gives you more than one reference point, unlike in the northern hemisphere with Polaris there is no need to worry about the time on the dials. Just turn the scope until all the stars are lined up with their 'holes' in the reticle. You will need to get it pretty close before you can see Octans in the scope. I recommend you do it holding the scope in your hand before trying to align the polarie.
cheers,
Andrew. (another one)

[maguro77 (Joyce)]

Dear Andrew and Andrew, thanks for your quick responses, I will certainly give it a go. Cheers, joyce

[gregbradley]

As mentioned the latitiude is for northern astronomers. In the southern hemipshere you simply line up the reticle to match the stars. You rotate the reticle so it lines up.

You start with the visual bright star to the right of the Small Magellanic Cloud (Beta Crucis or similar name, I forget), to the right of that are 3 stars that form a small arrow. The arrow points in the direction of the Octans Trapezium of stars that you align with the reticle.

You need a dim torch to be able to light up the reticle without dazzling your dark sight.

If you get disoriented doing this go back to the bright star next to the SMC, then the 3 stars forming an arrow that points to the trap which is about 1-2 field of view away. Line up the reticle with the trap and gently adjust the mount with the trap stars using a dim torch and careful gentle adjustments and you are set.

Once you've done it given dark skies its relatively easy and may take 5-10 minutes.

You need a dim torch. I need to get one, a red torch would be handy.

Greg.