University Lowbrow Astronomers

Methods to Setup a Telescope and to Find Objects Close to the Horizon

Submitted by Bernard Friberg

Viewing objects close to the horizon shortly after sunset can often be a problem. The time between the object just becoming visible and the time it touches the tree line or horizon is very short making it very desirable to find the object as quickly as possible. The following suggests ways to accomplish this with an alt-az or equatorial telescope.

1.  If Venus is near the horizon, it can be used to accurately orient a telescope.

2. Another method to orient an equatorial mount with RA measuring capability is to set it to the local sidereal time.

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