Celestial Alignment

After alignment using the Bigourdan method, a polar finder is made which allows the platform to be operational in as little as 5 minutes! This finder was made using an objective lens and a flat mirror, both from a photocopier. To align for a night's viewing, It is set on the edge of the platform, parallel to the edge. The flat mirror is adjusted once, initially, to place the North Star at a set position once the alignment of the platform has been determined the first time.

The final step is to remove the Finder and add your telescope or camera tripod. Enjoy!

Bigourdan Method

Bigourdan method is more difficult to explain than to execute.

For the first observation, a rough alignment is done, using a "boussole" to find North. You aim a star on the celestial equator at the meridian, in a reticulated ocular. And you follow it with the motor running. If it is necessary to elevate the nose of telescope to keep the star on the recticle line, that means that you must move the north of the platform toward east., and vice versa.

When the star follows accurately, you aim at another star on the equator, but relatively low in the west. If you must elevate the nose of scope to maintain the star on the line, you must elevate the north end of the platform, and vice versa. After two or three passages progressively refined, you are sure that the platform axis is aimed to celestial pole.

Then, you place the finder on the edge of the platform, and with the orientation flat, stuck with silicone on three threaded rods, you align its axis to aim celestial pole.

On a new evening of observation, the alignment of the platform needs only one or two minutes to complete.