Expert: Paul Wagner - 1/12/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hello
I have a EQ6 mount with 10 inch tube and I want align the mount in daylight time . please help me .
Thanks

ANSWER: Hi Hooman

You can do this...but it is much easier at night.  To do it during the daytime, you will need to know exactly where true North is.  DO you know that?  If so, simply set your scope so that the polar axis points due North, and is inclined at exactly your latitude.  (that means the Polar axis should make an angle with the horizon equal to your latitude.)

But estimating true North is very difficult.  You can try to use a compass, but they are usually small...and so it is hard to see exactly where they point.  From the compass heading, you then have to apply your local magnetic deviation, because magnetic North is never quite the same as true North--it's often off by 15 degrees or more.  But you can get close.

And then, when the stars come out, you can make sure that your polar axis is pointing directly at Polaris...and you will get to within about a degree of perfect alignment.

Unless, of course, you are in the Southern Hemisphere...where it gets more complicated!

Paul Wagner

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello
I live in Iran . And you know the observing new moon in Iran is very important ( for Islamic reason ).
I want align my scope in daylight and find the moon with GOTO.
Please help me more . How I can align it with 2 or 3 stars in daylight ?
Thanks

ANSWER: Hi Hoonan

Yes, I undertand--but it will be impossible to line your telescope up in daylight for GOTO operation, because you can't see the stars then.  You will have to do it before dawn, with some visible stars, and then leave the scope in the same position until daylight.  That's the only solution I can think of for you.

Paul Wagner

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: sorry but do you sure It is impossible ?
I know a person in Iran that do this work but unfortunately   I can not ask him ?
please help me !

Answer
Hi Hooman

I am sure that if you need three stars, you won't be able to do this in the daytime.  If you are lucky enough to know where three bright planets are, then you might be able to see them during the day, and use them for alignment--but it is VERY difficult with this kind of telescope.  A larger scope, or a permanent mount, is the solution to the problem.

Paul Wagner