Guide Scope Requirements

[Dave Sheppard]

I have recently moved from the UK to NZ and I am about to move into house on the side of hill which blocks and view of due south.

I have been recommended PHD2 for alignment assistance, although it seems I would need a guide scope for this?

According to what I’ve read, a guide scope focal length is usually a third of the telescope focal length.

In my case, I have a Mak 127 with a 1500mm focal length, however I do not want to image, just purely visual astronomy.

Will a smaller focal length guide scope be ok for this? 
 

Thanks in advance! 

[Franklin]

If you're not imaging you won't need any guidescope. For visual just polar align by setting your latitude roughly on the mount and point it south, via a compass. No need for accurate PA for visual.

[AstroMuni]

A guidescope helps guide the mount in between exposures - nothing to do with PA. I will second what @Franklin has said about not needing accurate PA for viewing.

Just give it a go and enjoy. 🙂 Dont buy more equipment at this point.

If you do find that you are finding it difficult to view then you can post here about the issues you are facing.

[michael8554]

As I said in reply to your other post, you don't need a super-accurate PA for Visual.

A guidescope and PHD2 to PA is unnecessary.

Michael