Polar scope help!

[S Kehoe]

Well, in my process of getting to know my scope better, I took apart the polar scope (from EQ5 mount). The thing is it looks straight forward enough but the little glass lens that has the markings on might be an issue. I understand that it needs to go in so the writing is not backwards, but what about the rotation? Does it need to go in a certain position or can this be changed while mount is complete? Also the little white mark on the polar scope is about 10degrees right of the vertical plane when tightned back in. Is that also an issue?

Sorry for my daftness, it need help.

My bad

Anyone else out there do daft stuff like that or is it just me.

Kind rgds

Steve

[barkis]

I believe the details on the lens are etched on the glass those show constellation stars relative to polar aligning.

That lens is adjustable by three peripheral screws bearing on it's edge.

The screws are to centralise the lens in the scope so that if the scope is rotated, the lens remains central to the axis.

I don't think there is a set position within the scope for that lens, as long as you get it central by adjusting those peripherel screws.

A more experienced member may give you a better description  on this though.

Ron.

[Gazabone]

Agree with barkis, it's the etching on the lens that's important. To use the polar scope it has to rotate in the mount so that the orientation of Polar scope etchings match the constellations In the sky (or better still, use Jason Dale's app to show where Polaris should be positioned in the polar scope). http://myastroimages.com/Polar_FinderScope_by_Jason_Dale/

The 3 little screws are there to align the polar scope to the mount so you have to make sure it's aligned otherwise using the polar scope is likely a waste of time.

Probably the easiest/best/(only?) way to align the polar scope is in daylight. Put the scope in the mount and point it to something at least .25 of a mile away. Rotate the mount in RA and watch how the image in the polar scope moves. Adjust the 3 peripheral screws until there is no movement of the image through the polar scope when you move the mount in RA. A fair bit of trial and error but with a bit of practice you soon learn which screw to adjust, by how much and in which direction, you'll need to remember that each time you adjust one screw the other two have to be adjusted too. All three screws must be reasonably tight and no movement in the polar scope view as the mount is moved in RA.

There are a few videos on you tube explaining far better than I have.

[S Kehoe]

Thanks guys, great advice. And much appreciated.