Many equatorial mounts come with a built-in polar scope, a small telescope aligned with the mount’s polar axis to help you find the celestial pole quickly.
- Look through the polar scope and locate Polaris.
- Use the reticle markings to position Polaris correctly, accounting for its offset from the true celestial pole based on the current date and time.
- Adjust your mount’s altitude and azimuth knobs to center Polaris within the reticle.
- Double-check your alignment by observing star tracking or using drift alignment if needed.
This method offers a great balance of speed and accuracy, perfect for intermediate users.
