I know that the North Star “orbits” true north at a constant distance through the course of the year. Is there a way to reference for any particular date what the relative angle may be? It seems if I polar align on the North Star there is a systematic error that should be easy to predict and correct for.
polar offset
Started by frainiea, 02/14/2007 03:15AM
Posted 02/14/2007 03:15AM
Opening Post
Posted 02/14/2007 06:51AM
| Edited 02/14/2007 06:52AM
#1
What you describe is exactly what the reticle of a polar finder scope does for you. Just, rather than calulateing the position angle from date and time you just look at the position of other known constellations around polaris.
The red cross denotes the location of the true celestial north pole, about 3/4 degree away from polaris in direction of Kochab, the brightest star in the little dipper. The end of the big dippers handle works as well to determine that direction.
Michael
The red cross denotes the location of the true celestial north pole, about 3/4 degree away from polaris in direction of Kochab, the brightest star in the little dipper. The end of the big dippers handle works as well to determine that direction.
Michael
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