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===Rough alignment method===
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In the Northern hemisphere, rough alignment can be done by visually aligning the axis of the telescope mount with [[Polaris]]. In the Southern hemisphere or places where Polaris is not visible, a rough alignment is performed by ensuring the mount is level, adjusting the latitude adjustment pointer to match the observer's [[latitude]], and aligning the axis of the mount with [[true north|true south or north]] by means of a [[magnetic compass]] (after taking the local [[magnetic declination]] into account). This method can sometimes be adequate for general observing through the [[eyepiece]] or for very wide angle [[Astrophotography|astro-imaging]] with a tripod-mounted camera. This method is often used by newcomers to [[amateur astronomy]] equipped with an equatorially-mounted telescope.
For astro-imaging through a lens or telescope of significant magnification, a subsequent [[Polar_alignment#Drift_alignment_method|drift alignment]] is necessary to refine the rough alignment.
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A slightly better alignment is attained when using a calibrated (e.g. with a spirit level) inclinometer with an accuracy of 0.1 degree and coordinates of a well-known bright object not higher than 30 degrees above the horizon, the current sidereal time - clock time offset and the polar axis is cylindrical (i.e. not tapered, unless you know the tapered angle) and (digital) setting circles:
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