Oops

[jambouk]

I have been trying to align the polarscope in the mount. I unscrewed the whole eye piece part and the reticule with the stars imprinted on fell out, into my hand luckily.

How do I now know what orientation to put it back in?

James

[JamesF]

it doesn't matter. You adjust the orientation as part of the alignment process anyhow. As long as you get it facing the correct way everything will come out in the wash.

James

[jambouk]

So it won't matter if counter weight bar is pointing to the floor and if either ursa major is the right way up or upside down?

James

[JamesF]

Nope. There are two parts to aligning the polar scope. The first is getting it concentric with the RA axis of the mount. The second is sorting out the rotation so that the Polaris indicator is in the right place relative to the time and date rings.

If you buy an aftermarket polar scope it doesn't come with any indications relating to the orientation it should have in the mount.

James

[jambouk]

Ok, thanks. I've got it aligned in the sense when I rotate around the RA the cross hairs stay on the same point.

I'll have a go tonight at a rough and read polar alignment. I'm not too fussed about getting a spot on alignment tonight.

James

[JamesF]

For visual, "rough and ready" is often good enough. I don't mind giving the mount an occasional "nudge" when I'm just observing visually. It's more of a pain for imaging.

James