First Star:  Azimuth Adjustment

1.  Level tripod

2.  Roughly polar align (using polar scope or polar alignment routine with computerized scope)

3.  Pick star on meridian, just north of celestial equator

4.  Orient eyepiece crosshairs with north-south and east-west axes of mount

5.  Place star on horizontal crosshair

Newtonian telescope users must reverse the following directions

If star drifts UP, adjust mount in azimuth to move star RIGHT

If star drifts DOWN, adjust mount in azimuth to move star LEFT

6.  Place star back on crosshairs using hand-controller

7.  Repeat drift and adjustments as necessary until no drift is seen for 5 minutes

Second Star:  Altitude Adjustment

8.  Pick a star in the east, just north of celestial equator, about 20 degrees above horizon

9.  Orient eyepiece crosshairs with north-south and east-west axes of mount

10.  Place star of horizontal crosshair

The following directions are the same for all telescopes

If star drifts UP, adjust mount in altitude to move star DOWN

If star drifts DOWN, adjust mount in altitude to move star UP

11.  Place star back on crosshairs using hand-controller

12.  Repeat drift and adjustments as necessary until no drift is seen for 5 minutes

Polar Alignment Page