Different ways to align finder to main scope

[stevie1980]

Hi you might of heard this before but how can I go about aligning my finder scope to the main scope without having to point it at a,stationary object a mile away, the reason I ask is because I have rather high fencing around my garden and have nothing to align to apart from a few house roof 50 ft away. With mt old scope I aligned with the moon but when it came to looking at distant stars it was way off. Any good tips please.

The scope is to heavy for carting around to the nearest field,plus being in lockdown I dont think the constabulary will like seeing me in a field.

Many thanks guys n ladies

Steve

[PeterCPC]

Choose a bright star at night and use that.

[AstroMuni]

11 minutes ago, stevie1980 said:

The scope is to heavy for carting around to the nearest field,plus being in lockdown I dont think the constabulary will like seeing me in a field.

Here is a suggestion that might work. Remove just the OTA and take it upstairs, place on a firm surface and point through your window at some small object thats far away. TV antennae work best

Edited February 1, 2021 by AstroMuni

[stevie1980]

Just now, AstroMuni said:

Here is a suggestion that might work. Remove just the OTA and take it upstairs, place on a firm surface and point through your window at some small object thats far away.

What an absolute belting idea. Would never have thought of that lol.silly me..cheers ,much appreciated 👍 

[johninderby]

I take the scope upstairs so I can see a suitable target to align the finder on out of the bedroom window. 

Edited February 1, 2021 by johninderby

[Pixies]

1 minute ago, johninderby said:

I often take the scope upstairs so I can see a suitable target the align the finder out of the bedroom window. 

Your honour.

[M40]

If you can see it, align it with Polaris. 

[johninderby]

Or the moon is a handy target to align on. I can usualy find the moon when it is out. 😁

Edited February 1, 2021 by johninderby

[banjaxed]

12 minutes ago, johninderby said:

I take the scope upstairs so I can see a suitable target to align the finder on out of the bedroom window. 

Out of interest do you open the window or not ?

[johninderby]

If it’s not cold out I would open the window but not essential.

[CraigT82]

Just don't bash the finder on a door frame taking it back downstairs! 

[tooth_dr]

1 minute ago, CraigT82 said:

Just don't bash the finder on a door frame taking it back downstairs! 

Done that carrying my 300 dob outside 😂

[stevie1980]

4 minutes ago, johninderby said:

If it’s not cold out I would open the window but not essential.

My window opens upwards and the bottom frame when opened would get in the way so ill have to keep it closed

[AstroMuni]

39 minutes ago, banjaxed said:

Out of interest do you open the window or not ?

If you are getting double images due to glass then you would need to open window, otherwise not necessary. We are not attempting a micro alignment here

[johninderby]

You will only achieve a rough alignment using a target seen through a window anyway and final alignment will be made outside at night.

[AstroMuni]

And before I forget, use as high a magnification as you can on the scope to align from indoors - start with low mag and go to highest. With the higher magnification your FOV will reduce so becomes harder to find the object

Edited February 1, 2021 by AstroMuni

[stevie1980]

On 01/02/2021 at 12:02, AstroMuni said:

And before I forget, use as high a magnification as you can on the scope to align from indoors - start with low mag and go to highest. With the higher magnification your FOV will reduce so becomes harder to find the object

I did just that.started with a 40mm and ended it on a 10mm thankyiu for replies

[malc-c]

I set mine up using a bright star.  Center the star in the main scope and engauge tracking, then centre same star in the finder.  - Job done !!

[Carbon Brush]

If you can store the scope with the finder attached, you only need align once.
An early job for me (pre shed days) was to modify a cupboard for scope storage.
Nothing grand, just a few extra bits of wood and bungy cords added into a tatty cupboard.

HTH, David.