Celestron C4.5 - Pointing at Polaris; Eiie a Is Epe Eset Tied Oa E EA Dac

(30 © Astronomy Basics
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Pointing at Polaris
This method utilizes Polaris as a guidepost to the celestial pole. Since Polaris
is less than a degree from the celestial pole, pointing the polar axis of the
telescope puts you within one degree. Although this is by no means perfect
alignment, it is close.
1. Set the telescope up so that the polar axis is pointing north.
2. Release the DEC clamp 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 (see figure 5-8).
3. Move the mount in altitude and/or azimuth until Polaris is in the field of
view of the finder. Rough adjustments in azimuth can be made by
moving the tripod.
4. Center Polaris using the altitude and azimuth controls. Remember, do
not move the telescope in R.A. and DEC. You want to adjust the
direction the polar axis is pointing and you are using the telescope to
see where the polar axis is pointing.
Like the previous methods, this gets you close to the pole but not directly on
it. The following method will help improve your accuracy for more serious
observations and photography.
Horizon
Figure 5-8
One might think that pointing at the pole will produce a parallax effect
thus skewing the telescope's axis of rotation with that of the Earth's.
Polaris, however, is over 50 light years away, thus making any parallax
effect negligible. (One light year is 6.4 trillion miles. To find the
distance to Polaris in miles, multiply 6.4 trillion by 50!)