33 replies to this topic

[msinc]

I'm not a genius, but I could certainly find a way to align the telescope for visual use without having a view of Polaris. I've done it many times.

Here, Polaris is directly over the light dome. And looking north in general isn't very productive. So setting up for the best view to the south, east and west is best.

 

Due to not having the alternative to move the telescope to where Polaris was visible, and still see these other areas, I just set the altitude to match the local latitude, and pretty much guessed that my true north estimation was accurate.

Always worked perfectly.

 

The alternative.... stay inside? Or look only to the west or over the light dome?

Actually, the west is also mostly blocked by trees if I set up to where I can see Polaris.

 

Certainly, without being there and seeing all of the possibilities, I wouldn't suggest that someone move an observatory that they just moved and restored. It might already be in the best possible location.

I knew it wouldn't take long at all.....thank you for not disappointing me!!!!!! I think my whole point was, how's about we don't confuse this gentleman any more than really necessary??? Now, tell us all why you are right again......

His very first words, "So lost...need help" seem to say, lets keep it as least confusing as possible for now......

Edited by msinc, 02 October 2024 - 08:00 AM.

[Echolight]

I knew it wouldn't take long at all.....thank you for not disappointing me!!!!!! I think my whole point was, how's about we don't confuse this gentleman any more than really necessary??? Now, tell us all why you are right again......

His very first words, "So lost...need help" seem to say, lets keep it as least confusing as possible for now......

I don't know if it is a realistic option for him to move the observatory that they just installed to another location.

[KBHornblower]

From the photos it appears that Polaris might be obscured by the gable end of the rolled-off roof, not by another building.  It is out in a farm field and is not crowded by other buildings.  I can see how to find the azimuth of the observatory building by sighting Polaris along one edge and working from there.

[msinc]

I don't know if it is a realistic option for him to move the observatory that they just installed to another location.

I agree, neither of us do........but it's not a far leap to maybe think that since he set it up there........maybe he can also move it a few feet. I thought I also read that he wasn't just trying to do "visual", he wants to use the go-to feature or at least he has it and probably will want to use it eventually{maybe I am wrong?????} but if so then he's gonna need decent polar alignment, which I really think we can all agree is easier when you can at least see Polaris.

Edited by msinc, 02 October 2024 - 08:51 AM.

[msinc]

From the photos it appears that Polaris might be obscured by the gable end of the rolled-off roof, not by another building.  It is out in a farm field and is not crowded by other buildings.  I can see how to find the azimuth of the observatory building by sighting Polaris along one edge and working from there.

Yet another example of keeping it easy for a beginner..............why not buy a surveyors transit and triangulate???? All the guy wants is some help to use his new telescope. It's fantastic to have so many geniuses all in one place, but this man doesn't need rocket surgery.........I have to say, I am surprised no one has mentioned that he needs to really be worried about the Chandler Effect.

Edited by msinc, 02 October 2024 - 08:45 AM.

[Nankins]

Hello!  

 

My club maintains and often runs the LX200 owned by Purdue University.  I haven't used it much but can tell you that once the headaches are out of the way it is fun to use.  You will want to make sure the GPS is aligned before every session - if the GPS is off than everything else will be messed up.  Once you have that and the time and date correct, everything should be good for your location.  The telescope mount should be parked facing south - at least that's the way our university wants theirs parked.  If not parked correctly, you will end up with AutoStar locating issues, etc, etc and can also run the risk of damaging the mount.  I don't know about polar alignment - never have had to do it with the university telescope.  When opening it up for private sessions or outreach we always align on 2-3 bright stars (preferably 3).  

 

Looking at the pictures you have a nice number of different adapters, which depend on the eyepiece being used as well as any photography equipment.  

[dnrmilspec]

Here are a couple of observations. 

 

We are really talking about two processes.  One, is to align your scope so that your goto works and it will track your targets for visual observation.  This does not require a careful polar alignment.  The process you describe where you use your compass to get close should work.  If your telescope is mounted like Dave2022 shows, and you are pointed to North according to your compass you should be fine for visual.  The goto will put things into the field of view of your widest eyepiece.  And it should track just fine for comfortable observation.  So it seems that so far, you have done the right things.

 

I frequently roll my scope out to the driveway and align for visual observation without being able to see Polaris.  There are a great many of us who have the same issue and can do just fine with a semi-careful pointing to north.

 

 

Someday you may wish to do astrophotography.  When you do,  there are any number of ways to align your eq mount on its pier that will be super accurate without seeing Polaris.  For now I do not think there is any need for you to explore these things.  Suffice it to say that when you get into long exposure guided AP you will align using software and your camera, not with a guide scope or the scope itself. The good folks in the beginning astrophotography or mount forums will get you going on that in no time.

 

The last thing you want to do is move your beautiful observatory to be able to see Polaris.  That is completely unnecessary.  Nor do you need to move your pier for that matter.  There is enough adjustment in your mount to handle what you want to do.

 

Let us know how this goes for you.  My bet is that you will be happy with what you have with just a little bit of practice. 

[daveb2022]

Def GPS and autoStar II says that it acquires lock. Or it least there's no error. 

So you're saying that it appears to be aligned correctly on the pier? The north south arrows you put on are correct. 

Are these the instructions you are following?

 

 

If the telescope is reasonably well aligned with the pole, very little use of the telescope’s Declination slow motion control is necessary. Virtually all of the required telescope tracking will be in Right Ascension. (If the telescope were perfectly aligned with the pole, no Declination tracking of celestial objects would be required.)

 

 

For the purposes of casual telescopic observations, lining up the telescope’s polar axis to within a degree or two of the pole is more than sufficient: with this level of pointing accuracy, the telescope’s motor drive will track accurately and keep objects in the telescopic field of view for perhaps 20 to 30 minutes.

You can check if the declination is set at true 90°. Look through the eyepiece and rapidly slew the optical tube on the R.A. axis. If all the stars rotate around the center of the field of view, the Declination is set at 90°. If the stars arc out of the field of view, slew the optical tube on the Declination axis until you achieve the centering effect.

 

 

Align tick marks to set the fork arms to 00 H.A. position.

 

 

 

 

Begin polar aligning the telescope by locating Polaris. Finding Polaris is simple. Most people recognize the “Big Dipper.” The Big Dipper has two stars that point the way to Polaris. Once Polaris is found, it is a straightforward procedure to obtain a rough polar alignment.

 

 

To line up with Polaris, follow the procedure described below. Refer to the instruction sheet included with your equatorial wedge for information about attaching the wedge to the telescope and also about using the azimuth and latitude controls.

 

1. Select "Setup: Telescope" from the Autostar II menus. Press ENTER. Scroll to
"Telescope: Mount" and press ENTER. Scroll to "Scope Mounting: Polar" and
press ENTER. The telescope mount is now set to the polar mode.

 

2. Press MODE until "Select Item: Setup" displays. Press ENTER. "Setup: Align"
displays. Press ENTER. "Align: Easy" displays. Scroll to "Align: One-Star" and
press ENTER. Autostar II now prompts you to set the telescope in the polar home
position.

 

Using the bubble level of the wedge, adjust the tripod legs so that the bubble is level.

Set the wedge to your observing latitude.

 

 

Using the Up and Down Arrow keys, rotate the telescope tube in Declination so that the telescope’s Declination reads 90°. See SETTING CIRCLES, page 50.

 

 

Loosen the R.A. lock, and rotate the fork arms to the 00 position H. A. : Move the forks arms so that center tick mark on fork arm base aligns with the tick mark on the base.

 

 

Press ENTER. The telescope slews to Polaris.

 
Use the azimuth and latitude controls on the wedge to center Polaris in the field of view. Do not use the Autostar II handbox during this process.

 

 

When Polaris is centered, press ENTER. The telescope is now polar aligned.

 

See  AUTOSTAR II POLAR ALIGNMENT, page 54, for more information.
At this point, your polar alignment is good enough for casual observations.

[michael8554]

Dave's Polar setup instructions above are spot-on.

 

All I had suggested earlier is that you just accept that Polaris is in the FOV, rather than get a neck injury.

 

Do a proper PA later on, then a Star Alignment.