Celestron Polaris Setting Plate

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...rythin g+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

I have one too. But it only works with my right angle finder scope. For
straight though I found a program called "Polar Finder". This program
prints out charts for a four hour period around your choosen observing time.
Hope this helps.
Matt Mills

"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...rythin g+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

I have one too. But it only works with my right angle finder scope. For
straight though I found a program called "Polar Finder". This program
prints out charts for a four hour period around your choosen observing time.
Hope this helps.
Matt Mills

"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...rythin g+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

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

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

Hey, thanks for the replies. They both helped and at the same time caused a
bit more confusion.

I downloaded the program Matthew mentioned. I ran it (including putting in
my longitude) and judging from the output, I basically set the diagonal
cursor on the Polaris Setting Plate in the same position that Polaris was
shown in the program. But after closer inspection, the Polaris Setting
Plate seems be off by 12 hours (yes, I checked the time on my pc) - in other
words, the program shows Polaris close to the "9 O'clock" position with the
time showing 20:00. But I had to set the Polaris Setting Plate to 8:00 to
make the diagonal cursor show Polaris in the same position.

This has to be another aspect of my being a true amateur. Any ideas where
I'm going wrong?

Thanks again - I reall appreciate it.

Alex

"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...rythin g+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

Hey, thanks for the replies. They both helped and at the same time caused a
bit more confusion.

I downloaded the program Matthew mentioned. I ran it (including putting in
my longitude) and judging from the output, I basically set the diagonal
cursor on the Polaris Setting Plate in the same position that Polaris was
shown in the program. But after closer inspection, the Polaris Setting
Plate seems be off by 12 hours (yes, I checked the time on my pc) - in other
words, the program shows Polaris close to the "9 O'clock" position with the
time showing 20:00. But I had to set the Polaris Setting Plate to 8:00 to
make the diagonal cursor show Polaris in the same position.

This has to be another aspect of my being a true amateur. Any ideas where
I'm going wrong?

Thanks again - I reall appreciate it.

Alex

"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...rythin g+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

How do ya work the thing? I've read the description on the web page, but

Hi:

Set it to the current date and time (disregarding DST), and then, just match
Polaris on the finder's reticle to where the pointer (at the proper year
position) lies.


Peace,
Rod Mollise
Author of _Choosing and Using a Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope_
Like SCTs and MCTs?
Check-out sct-user, the mailing list for CAT fanciers!
Goto http://members.aol.com/RMOLLISE/index.html

How do ya work the thing? I've read the description on the web page, but

Hi:

Set it to the current date and time (disregarding DST), and then, just match
Polaris on the finder's reticle to where the pointer (at the proper year
position) lies.


Peace,
Rod Mollise
Author of _Choosing and Using a Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope_
Like SCTs and MCTs?
Check-out sct-user, the mailing list for CAT fanciers!
Goto http://members.aol.com/RMOLLISE/index.html

You also need a finder with the polaris-type reticle in it. It has a
circle divided into sections that match the finder plate. If you don't
have that type of finder, I have a Celestron model I'd sell you pretty
cheap. I don't have a wedge anymore, so I don't need to polar align.

Jamie


(Rod Mollise) wrote in message ...
How do ya work the thing? I've read the description on the web page, but

Hi:

Set it to the current date and time (disregarding DST), and then, just match
Polaris on the finder's reticle to where the pointer (at the proper year
position) lies.


Peace,
Rod Mollise
Author of _Choosing and Using a Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope_
Like SCTs and MCTs?
Check-out sct-user, the mailing list for CAT fanciers!
Goto http://members.aol.com/RMOLLISE/index.html