Thread: Star Align
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Old 18-01-2021, 06:57 AM
Startrek (Martin)
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Startrek is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Sydney and South Coast NSW
Posts: 5,990
Hi Geoff and welcome
The accuracy of the slew to the 1st alignment Star on any EQ mount is dependent upon how close your mount is set up in the start or Home position.There are 4 important procedures -
1/ Tripod facing True South
Your tripod should be placed down and aligned to True South , that is front leg together with the central axis of the other 2 tripod legs pointing to the South Celestial Pole or Meridian Line ( Not Magnetic South )
2/ Tripod Level
Make sure your tripod is level on all cardinal plains NSEW
3/ Mounts Altitude set to Local Latitude
Make sure your mounts altitude is set ( using the mounts altitude bolt) to the local latitude of your location ( I use a digital inclinometer with accuracy to 2 decimal places ) Leave the Azimuth Bolts centrally screwed in even ( not too tight ) on both sides of mount ready for your 1st star alignment adjustments)
4/ Set mount to Home Position
See my attached procedure

If the above procedures are done as accurate as possible, and your finder scope is aligned properly ( Raymo) and all your hand controller settings are correct time , date , location , hemisphere etc..... , then your first alignment Star should end up in the field of view of your finder scope and even your telescope

See attached ( Celestron mounts are similar to Skywatcher mounts for these procedures)

Good luck !
Martin
Attached Thumbnails
Click for full-size image (IMG_6771.jpg)
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Attached Files
File Type: pdf Setting Tripod to Align to True South.pdf (21.2 KB, 24 views)
File Type: pdf Attaching your HEQ5 and EQ6 mount head to Tripod.pdf (20.9 KB, 13 views)
File Type: pdf Balancing Your Telescope.pdf (26.6 KB, 12 views)
File Type: pdf Home Position on your HEQ5 or EQ6 Telescope Mount.pdf (22.8 KB, 14 views)
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