Utter polar alignment/compass confusion

Entropy · #1 09-02-2008, 07:04 PM

Hi guys.
Im trying to set up my scope for what seems to be a great night of viewing.
I have my mag. dec. and all that.
But what i am really confused with is which was should the mount favour, the east of the west?
I have it up so it is slightly west facing... is this correct or do i have it backward.
I live in Oxenford, Queensland Australia 4210.
153.30455 long
-27.90353 lat

Thanks for your help, this is something that has always confused me. Even after reading the large amounts of tutorials on the net

Dennis · #2 09-02-2008, 07:46 PM

Do you have a fork mount, German Equatorial Mount (GEM), Alt-Azimuth mount, etc?

I live in Brisbane, have a GEM and do the following:

Set the RA body (Polar Axis) to a Latitude of 27.5 degrees.
Point the Polar Axis towards the South using a magnetic compass, but point it 11 degrees to the East of Magnetic South, not directly at Magnetic South.
So, if you are standing facing direct Magnetic South, then Grid South will be 11 degrees from Mag South on your Left.
West will be approx 90 degrees to your Right and North will be directly behind you.
With the Polar Axis now pointing at an altitude of 27.5 degrees and 11 degrees E of Mag South, the Polar Axis will now be pointing at the South Celestial Pole (SCP) that imaginary point in the S hemisphere defining the axis of rotation of the Earth.

Cheers

Dennis