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A compass.
- pj30something
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- Super Giant
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16 years 11 months ago #60407
by pj30something
Paul C
My next scope is going to be a Vixen VMC200L Catadioptric OTA
A compass. was created by pj30something
Where the hell can i buy a cheap compass to stick onto my polar axis?
I have tried Argos but they are out of stock and dont know when they will have them.
I ask because i cant see Polaris from my observing position in my garden and by the time i tell my skyscout to find it.............and align my scope up to it...............i have forgotten exactly where it is.
If i had a nice little compass stuck to my polar axis.............it would make aligning the scope so much easier.
I can do it manually by guess work.........then tweak the mount east or west to get a good alignment.................but it aint perfect.
I know you only need a PERFECT polar alignment if you want to do astrophoto's but i'd like to set my scope up to give the least amount of drift and the max viewing time of objects.
I had it down to a T once and i could view the moon for about 7 mins before i had to start chasing itusing RA. But that was a one off.
I have tried Argos but they are out of stock and dont know when they will have them.
I ask because i cant see Polaris from my observing position in my garden and by the time i tell my skyscout to find it.............and align my scope up to it...............i have forgotten exactly where it is.
If i had a nice little compass stuck to my polar axis.............it would make aligning the scope so much easier.
I can do it manually by guess work.........then tweak the mount east or west to get a good alignment.................but it aint perfect.
I know you only need a PERFECT polar alignment if you want to do astrophoto's but i'd like to set my scope up to give the least amount of drift and the max viewing time of objects.
I had it down to a T once and i could view the moon for about 7 mins before i had to start chasing itusing RA. But that was a one off.
Paul C
My next scope is going to be a Vixen VMC200L Catadioptric OTA
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- carlobeirnes
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- IFAS Sponsor & Astronomer of the Year 2013
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16 years 11 months ago #60409
by carlobeirnes
Carl O’Beirnes,
Scopes and Space Ltd,
Unit A8 Airside Enterprise Centre,
Swords, Co Dublin,
Ireland.
www.scopesandspace.ie/
www.facebook.com/scopesandspace
twitter.com/ScopesandSpace
www.youtube.com/user/ScopesandSpace
Replied by carlobeirnes on topic Re: A compass.
There is a great little camping shop on capel street. is there a block of flats obstructing your view of Polaris.
Carl O’Beirnes,
Scopes and Space Ltd,
Unit A8 Airside Enterprise Centre,
Swords, Co Dublin,
Ireland.
www.scopesandspace.ie/
www.facebook.com/scopesandspace
twitter.com/ScopesandSpace
www.youtube.com/user/ScopesandSpace
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- pj30something
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- Super Giant
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16 years 11 months ago #60414
by pj30something
Paul C
My next scope is going to be a Vixen VMC200L Catadioptric OTA
Replied by pj30something on topic Re: A compass.
I thought of the army/camping shops on Capel street.To my north there are a couple of central heating boiler chimney (on the neighbours shed) and trees in the next garden and light pollution from street lamps.
I have next to no view N from where i am.
I have next to no view N from where i am.
Paul C
My next scope is going to be a Vixen VMC200L Catadioptric OTA
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- Dread
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- Proto Star
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16 years 11 months ago #60416
by Dread
Down with vwls.
Declan
Carl Zeiss Jena 10x50, Bresser Messier R102
Replied by Dread on topic Re: A compass.
If you check a nearby tree you will find the moss growing on side facing north. Alternatively, get a loan of someones elses compass and having identified the exact flat get the bugger inside to paint a mark with luminescent paint on his outside wall :roll: .
Btw I was in that shop last week and bought some boots and shoes.
Btw I was in that shop last week and bought some boots and shoes.
Down with vwls.
Declan
Carl Zeiss Jena 10x50, Bresser Messier R102
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- phoenix
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- Red Giant
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16 years 11 months ago #60417
by phoenix
Kieran
16" ODK (incoming), Mesu Mount 200, APM TMB 80mm, SXV H16, SXV H9
J16 An Carraig Observatory
ancarraigobservatory.co.uk/
Replied by phoenix on topic Re: A compass.
The LX200GPS came with a compass to go on the central thread connecting it to the tripod. With all that metal I was concerned about how accurate it would be. I was right to be concerned. As an ex geologist I have about 5 compasses in the house and all are top of the range. The compass on the scope was 5 degrees off! Nothing more than a gimmick. I then wondered about Meades claim that the scope detects true north?
Kieran
16" ODK (incoming), Mesu Mount 200, APM TMB 80mm, SXV H16, SXV H9
J16 An Carraig Observatory
ancarraigobservatory.co.uk/
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- Euronymous
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- Main Sequence
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16 years 11 months ago #60418
by Euronymous
Celestron C8-N (200mm reflector)
Carl Zeiss 10x50's
-Amateur Astronomer, photographer, guitarist, and beer drinker-
Replied by Euronymous on topic Re: A compass.
Just remember a compass will not point to polaris. It will point to the magnetic north, and the magnetic north and true north are different.
I don't know about Irish locations, but in America, when a compass indicates its pointing to north, here is what it is pointing to:
Seattle 22 degs E of North
Bismarck. ND 10 degs E of North
Chicago, IL 1 deg W of North
Detroit, MI 6 degs W of North
Buffalo, NY 10 degs W of North
New York City 15 degs W of North
Los Angeles 14 degs E of North
El Paso, TX 10 degs E of North
New Orleans 3 degs E of North
Charleston 5 degs W of North
Wash, D.C. 10 degs W of North
And so using this to align a scope would be pretty much pointless
I don't know about Irish locations, but in America, when a compass indicates its pointing to north, here is what it is pointing to:
Seattle 22 degs E of North
Bismarck. ND 10 degs E of North
Chicago, IL 1 deg W of North
Detroit, MI 6 degs W of North
Buffalo, NY 10 degs W of North
New York City 15 degs W of North
Los Angeles 14 degs E of North
El Paso, TX 10 degs E of North
New Orleans 3 degs E of North
Charleston 5 degs W of North
Wash, D.C. 10 degs W of North
And so using this to align a scope would be pretty much pointless
Celestron C8-N (200mm reflector)
Carl Zeiss 10x50's
-Amateur Astronomer, photographer, guitarist, and beer drinker-
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