3 star alignment

[sorrycharlie]

Hi, beginner here. I just bought a HEQ5 mount and it’s looking like I might get a clear sky tonight.

Im just wondering if someone has any recommendations on 3 (or at least 2) easy, bright stars in the Southern Hemisphere to perform the 3 star alignment on. I understand that this changes depending on the time of year but if there’s anyone here with that knowledge that would be terrific

[John W (John Wilkinson)]

Hi, Try Canopus, Regulus, Rigel Kent (Alpha Centauri) or Rigel.

Cheers JW.

[Startrek (Martin)]

I’m assuming your HEQ5 mount with telescope is polar aligned ?
If not, Star alignments will be inaccurate and your intended object will drift off centre or out of view quickly

Recommend Mount / Scope set up
1/ Set tripod front leg facing True South
2/Level tripod
3/ Fit mount head and set azimuth knobs equal both sides
4/ Set elevation or altitude to your local position
5/ Set your Home Position
6/ Balance mount / scope in Ra and Dec
7/ Polar Align your mount ( polar alignment routine is included in your Synscan handcontroller menu ) This procedure includes Star alignment ( 2 Star alignment is god enough )
8/ Depending if you a visual observer or imager , you can usually polar align down to 1 arc minute error

I have procedures for all the above steps if you need them

Also do yourself a huge favour and down load Stellarium on your laptop or home PC ( it’s free ) It’s an incredible planetarium and your road map to the night sky every night of the week, year after year
I have a procedure to set this up as well if you need it

Cheers
Martin