My first newbie question!

[F1Bird]

OK, so please forgive me for what if probably an idiotic question but I am genuinely unable to figure this one out! So, your scope is polar aligned (theoretically of course as I haven't actually done this properly yet). How do you look at things in the south without losing the use of your RA and Dec settings?! I'm presuming the answer is not to swivel the whole mount round.....

[nephilim]

http://astronomy.mdodd.com/gem_movement.html you have to do this, its a little tricky to start with but you'll get the hang of it with practise.

Steve

[F1Bird]

Wow, how fast was that for a response! Thanks for this. Looks like I'm going to end up tangled up in this one!

[nephilim]

Wow, how fast was that for a response! Thanks for this. Looks like I'm going to end up tangled up in this one!

Haha, its like most things with this hobby, takes alot of patience & practise

Steve

[Astro Imp]

I don't know what the weather is like with you but if it's as bad as the rest of us have a play with the mount indoors, much easier than trying to figure it out in the cold and dark.

Good luck.

[F1Bird]

^{Excellent advice! That way I don't have to make a fool of myself in public whilst getting impaled on the counterweight! Cheers guys!}