I was given a polar scope for my EQ3 mount for Christmas . I've found plenty of great guides on how to align it properly but was wondering if it matters which way up the reticule goes once I screw it in to the mount? At the moment the Polaris marking is at 9 o'clock with the Octans near the 'top'. Is this the right way round?
The angle that Sigma Octans presents to the viewer will move through 360 degrees over 24 hours. You should be able to rotate the polar scope to orientate it with the current position of Sigma Octans. The important thing then is to adjust the altitude and azimuth of the EQ3 so that the four star are neatly covered by the graticle markings.
Thanks Barry, when you say rotate the polar scope; you mean by moving the RA axis?
I kind of get that bit (I think), will have a better play with it today hopefully. I just wanted to check if the initial angle of rotation the first time its screwed into the mount makes any difference.
Yes that is probably the easiest way to do it, rotate the RA axis.
You should also be able to rotate the polar scope in the barrel of the RA axis on that model I think. I have not a EQ3 mount to check any more.
The HEQ5 does need to rotate the whole RA axis.
I my first go at polar aligning with the new scope last night. Certainly took a while to find the octans stars through the polar scope but once I did lining it up was easier enough. What a difference proper PA makes when viewing...very happy!
. I've found plenty of great guides on how to align it properly but was wondering if it matters which way up the reticule goes once I screw it in to the mount? At the moment the Polaris marking is at 9 o'clock with the Octans near the 'top'. Is this the right way round? 
