Can I use SharpCap´s polar alignment tool if Polaris is not visible for my location? If yes, what I have to do?
How does it work in Southern hemisphere? Any experiences?
Thanks for some hints. RFA
Polar Alignment
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Re: Polar Alignment
Hi,
The southern hemisphere should work fine, but you do need to have a view of the sky near the pole (whichever hemisphere you are in). That means that if the polar area is obscured by a building or a tree then the polar alignment will not work for you. Some people who are in a situation where the pole is only just obscured find that they can get the procedure to work by starting off with the mount 45° to the left of vertical and moving it to 45° to the right of vertical – this keeps the telescope little higher than the routine of starting with the mount vertical and moving it to the horizontal position.
Cheers, Robin
The southern hemisphere should work fine, but you do need to have a view of the sky near the pole (whichever hemisphere you are in). That means that if the polar area is obscured by a building or a tree then the polar alignment will not work for you. Some people who are in a situation where the pole is only just obscured find that they can get the procedure to work by starting off with the mount 45° to the left of vertical and moving it to 45° to the right of vertical – this keeps the telescope little higher than the routine of starting with the mount vertical and moving it to the horizontal position.
Cheers, Robin