Synscan alignment question

[EricB]

Hi there!

I have recently moved from a dobs mount to a AZEQ6 which, so far, I have only used in tracking mode with the scope aligned south.

My question is probably dumb and show my ignorance of the alignment process...:confused2:

When I go through the synscan initialisation procedure (in equatorial mode) I go through the following set up steps:

- Coordinates
- Time zone
- Date, time, DLS
- Display polaris position

Given that in the southern hemisphere, GEM are aligned on the CSP, should I then use the position of the Octans instead through the polar finder in order to move to the star alignment process? (or disregard this step, although I haven't found a way to bypass it)

Thank you in advance for your help.

Eric

[Astro_Bot]

You don't need to use that info - you can simply press Enter and continue to 1, 2 or 3-star alignment.

However, you can improve GoTo accuracy and tracking performance (mandatory for imaging) if you polar align your mount. In the southern hemisphere, it is indeed Octans that you really want, though the Polaris position can be used as a substitute to start you off, just to orient the polar scope reticle and make finding/using Octans easier and quicker.

These threads are related. Post #19 in the second thread details a procedure to use the Polaris Hour Angle to speed up polar alignment with the polar scope. (Alternatively, you could use a laptop, EQMOD and software like Alignmaster if you want to go that way).

NEQ6 Polar alignment and collimation on new scope (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=114700)
Synscan alignment (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=113772)

[Camelopardalis]

Once you've done your star alignment successfully there is also a polar alignment function in the Align menu, that will walk you through adjusting the alt and as bolts to get you decently polar aligned. But for visual the 2 star align should do a decent job roughly polar aligned.

[Marios]

Just to append to this the time zone what should be used for melbourne +10:00?

[Astro_Bot]

Yes. The handset needs UTC, but it asks for local time, timezone, etc to get there, rather than enter it directly. That's made up of Local time, timezone and Daylight Savings correction.

[EricB]

Thanks everyone for the tips and thanks Astro for the links too.

Cheers,

Eric