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How to Convert the Drift Direction to Azimuth

Astronomers use the term azimuth to describe the angular distance along the horizon of a celestial object. Combined with altitude, the distance above the horizon an object appears, astronomers can track the same celestial objects night after night. No celestial object remains in one location but drifts across the sky throughout the year. In order to continue tracking an object through the sky night after night, astronomers must convert drift direction to an azimuth measurement so they can correct for nightly drift.

Instructions

- 1
  Locate the celestial object in the cross-haired eyepiece of your telescope. Record the date, time and azimuth reading. Find the azimuth reading by aligning the "0 degrees" measure on your telescope's aiming compass with true north.
- 2
  Track the object for approximately six hours. Take note of drift direction, such as moving east to west along the horizon, at the end of the observation period. Record the date, time and azimuth reading.
- 3
  Subtract the final azimuth reading from the initial azimuth reading if the drift direction is east to west. Subtract the initial azimuth reading from the final reading if the drift direction is west to east. Record the difference as the nightly drift in azimuth.
- 4
  Repeat the process the next night, taking azimuth measurements at the same time each night.
- 5
  Find the positive difference between the initial azimuth readings for the first and second nights. Repeat with the final azimuth readings. Add the two results together and divide by two. Record the result as the night-to-night drift in azimuth.

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