On this page you will find videos that help amateur astronomers understand and use their equipment more effectively.
This video will guide you through the basic steps required to set up most any German equatorial mount (non-fork mount). Setting latitude, azimuth, how to balance the telescope and counterweight and aligning the telescope to Polaris are all discussed. This video is not intended to be used for the more precise alignment required of astrophotography, but is an easy-to-understand alignment procedure that is acceptable for visual use.
A planisphere is a nearly indispensable tool for amateur astronomy. It can tell you what the night sky will look like on any given day, at any given time. It can help observers plan observing sessions days - or even months - in advance. Yet many amateurs aren't sure how to use one. Given its simplicity, a planisphere is one of the first tools amateur astronomers should own and know how to use. This video demonstrates effective planisphere use.