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Greg

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Posts posted by Greg

  1. Everyone uses a variation when using the setting circles, I find the above method works for me to the extent that I am now quicker at finding an object than my GOTO scope.

    It has helped me learn the night sky!!

    The little "How To's" I post are designed more for the beginner, as I wish there had been a forum like this when I got my first scope out of the box!

    However if you experienced guys get something out of them, then I am honoured.

    For any new astronomers out there - Don't get too bogged down with the science of the hobby, just get your scope out and explore, the science will come later. Don't let the thought of coodinates, setting circles etc. detract from the enjoyment of just looking at something and going WOW!!!

    Greg

  2. I have put together a little tutorial for any one interested in finding objects around the night sky using setting circles, or RA and DEC.

    The procedure is simple and once you have grasped the concept you'll be zooming around the night sky observing lots of deep sky objects.

    This method does not rely on current date or time - just a coodinate of an object you can recognise.

    The method is accurate enough to put the object in a low power eyepiece or your finder scope.

    1. Ensure that your mount is level and polar aligned (The more accurate the better) As long as you have Polaris in your polar finder scope you'll find the object using RA and DEC.

    2. Using a star chart or a computerised star atlas find a large object such as a planet or a bright star that you can easily recognise and find!!

    3. The object you have chosen will have a coordinate shown as RA and DEC.

    4. I have chosen Mars - RA 2H 57 DEC 18 42. The coodinates don't change (Bit like coodinates on OS map)

    5. Center Mars in your eyepiece and lock your controls

    6. Rotate the RA dial until it reads 2h 57 - There are two sets of circles on this dial, use the inner circle as this is for the Northern hemisphere (The outer one is for the Southern hemisphere)

    7. If you have an EQ3 mount the DEC dial is fixed, depending on how accurately you aligned the scope to start with dial should read 18 42.

    If you have an EQ 5 or above you will have to move the dial to read 18 42.

    These are you reference coodinates, you may have to return to Mars or an object you have chosen several times in a viewing night to maintain pointing accuracy.

    Now by looking at your star charts and or software program you can simply read off the coodinates of the object you wish to observe and swivel your scope around to the coordinates listed matching them up with your RA and DEC dials on your scope.

    The object should be in your low power eyepiece and or certainly in your finder scope!!!

    Greg

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