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This method utilizes Polaris as a guidepost to the celestial pole. Since Polaris is less than a degree from the celestial pole, you
can simply point the polar axis of your telescope at Polaris. Although this is by no means perfect alignment, it does get you
within one degree. Unlike the previous method, this must be done in the dark when Polaris is visible.
1. Set the telescope up so that the polar axis is pointing north – see Figure 4-6.
2. Loosen the Dec. clutch knob and move the telescope so that the tube is parallel to the polar axis. When this is done, the
declination setting circle will read +90°. If the declination setting circle is not aligned, move the telescope so that the tube
is parallel to the polar axis.
3. Adjust the mount in altitude and/or azimuth until Polaris is in the field of view of the finder.
Remember, while Polar aligning, do NOT move the telescope in R.A. or DEC. You do not want to move the telescope
itself, but the polar axis. The telescope is used simply to see where the polar axis is pointing.
Like the previous method, this gets you close to the pole but not directly on it. The following method helps improve your
accuracy for more serious observations and photography.
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In each hemisphere, there is a point in the sky around which all the other stars appear to rotate. These points are called the
celestial poles and are named for the hemisphere in which they reside. For example, in the northern hemisphere all stars move
around the north celestial pole. When the telescope's polar axis is pointed at the celestial pole, it is parallel to the Earth's
rotational axis.
Many methods of polar alignment require that you know how to find the celestial pole by identifying stars in the area. For
those in the northern hemisphere, finding the celestial pole is not too difficult. Fortunately, we have a naked eye star less than a
degree away. This star, Polaris, is the end star in the handle of the Little Dipper. Since the Little Dipper (technically called
Ursa Minor) is not one of the brightest constellations in the sky, it may be difficult to locate from urban areas. If this is the
case, use the two end stars in the bowl of the Big Dipper (the pointer stars). Draw an imaginary line through them toward the
Little Dipper. They point to Polaris (see Figure 4-5). The position of the Big Dipper (Ursa Major) changes during the year and
throughout the course of the night (see Figure 4-4). When the Big Dipper is low in the sky (i.e., near the horizon), it may be
difficult to locate. During these times, look for Cassiopeia (see Figure 4-5). Observers in the southern hemisphere are not as
fortunate as those in the northern hemisphere. The stars around the south celestial pole are not nearly as bright as those around
the north. The closest star that is relatively bright is Sigma Octantis. This star is just within naked eye limit (magnitude 5.5)
and lies about 59 arc minutes from the pole.
Definition: The north celestial pole is the point in the northern hemisphere around which all stars appear to rotate. The
counterpart in the southern hemisphere is referred to as the south celestial pole.
Figure 4-4
The position of the
Big Dipper changes
throughout the year
and the night.
Figure 4-5
The two stars in the front of the bowl of the Big Dipper point to Polaris
which is less than one degree from the true (north) celestial pole.
Cassiopeia, the “W” shaped constellation, is on the opposite side of the
pole from the Big Dipper. The North Celestial Pole (N.C.P.) is
marked by the “+” sign.
