I use one of these every time I setup to polar align my Schmidt-Cassegrain
telescope. Is that the type scope you are using?

First of all, by guessing, get your scope as close to polar aligned as you
can. Then move your tube until it's pointed at the North Celestial Pole
(i.e. close to Polaris). Your DEC dial should read 90 degrees north.

Rotate the "Polaris setting plate" until it indicates your date and time.
The position of the "slanting cursor" will indicate which "box" of the
recticle that Polaris should be in for your mount to be polar aligned.
While looking through the finder, you adjust the ALT and AZ of the mount
until Polaris is in the proper segment. Then you're polar aligned.

It's quite accurate. It only takes me about a minute to polar align.

I think I might have a more descriptive sheet of instructions around the
house somewhere.

Jeff
http://www.mindspring.com/~jeffpo

"Alexander Vukasin" wrote in message
news:zooac.37233$gA5.486671@attbi_s03...
Let me start by mentioning how glad I am that the word "amateur" is part
of
this NG, for this is truly an amateur question....

I've got a 9x50 straight through finder and saw this part available for
$6.00 on Astronomics (it actually comes with a 7x50 finder)

http://www.astronomics.com/main/prod...Finderscopes+%
5BMagnifying%5D&styp=3&bURL=aVisual%2Easp&vid=0&pr oduct%5Ftype%5Fid=23&sku=3
927p&nCat=Visual+%26+Everything+Else

I figured how could I go wrong for only $6.00?? It may not be exactly
what
would show up in the 7x50, but I bet it'd be pretty close.

Having said all that - my truly amateur question is:
How do ya work the thing? I've read the description on the web page, but
I'm still quite confused - maybe an example would make things a bit
clearer
for me. Unfortunately, no documentation comes with the item.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Alex