Alt/Az alignment

[halo1234]

Can anyone point me in the direction of an idiots guide to using or setting up Alt/Az alignment on a dob. Alt is working ok, but I'm struggling with Az. What do you align Az to?

[Moonshane]

there's not really any alignment required for a dob. I just point mine and observe. or is it a GOTO dob?

[halo1234]

I'm sorry I forgot to mention Ive just added setting circles.

Thanks

[halo1234]

Think I posted the reason for this issue on another thread. I printed off the alz numbers the wrong way round. I can only assume I selected the wrong option on the setting circle software.

[Moonshane]

I have never used setting circles but I presume that the way to get the settings correct as a baseline for azimuth is to point the O mark at Polaris as accurately as possible or use a compass to do so.

for altitude I'd suggest a spirit level to get to scope at 0 degrees and then work from there. you do of course need to then use a laptop or palmtop to calculate the altaz cordinates for your location and time of day.

this is why I never got into it as it's a bit of a faff. would sooner look at a map.

[halo1234]

I think I've selected southern hemisphere or another similar function on the software I've used. I know the way I'm setting up is correct, since the settng circle results are the opposite of what they should be.

Never mind lesson learnt.