The Sky6 and EQMOD point to the wrong spot - how come?

[niko]

Hi everyone,

hoping someone might point out what is obviously a problem at the hands of an idiot.

I'm running an EQ6 via EQMOD and The Sky 6 - polar alignment is good but whenever I slew to an object it's out by some degrees - seems to be consistent for each object. Once re-pointed everything works fine.

It seems like maybe the software thinks it's a different time but everything looks right - right location in The Sky and EQMOD, right time in The Sky.

It must be something simple I'm missing. Any help greatly appreciated because it makes finding faint objects a real challenge.

Many thanks

niko

[ZeroID]

I resolved mine recently by figuring out my Polar alignment was not quite right. Only marginal but it was enough to consistently make finding a real pita.

[niko]

except I don't think it's that because polar alignment is good enough to do 6min subs and the initial slew is waaaaay off - like 5-10 degrees

feels like there's a "clock" somewhere telling the software it's a few hours later than it actually is

[Merlin66]

Could be the park position isn't what EQmod thinks it is.
I had a similar issue using CDC. I sync to the first object after correctionand then re park. Adjust the park position to my marks on the mount and try again.
Seems to work for me.

[Germ]

I have had the same problem, I set my Epoch to J2000 in eqmod and that seemed to fix the issue. Have a look at the eqmod RA and DEC position and compare it with the Sky6.

[niko]

thanks guys

Ken - you might be right there. I've set an alternative Park because I can't close the roof without it! I thought I'd set it up properly. Could Sky6 not undertsand the new park position? If so, how do I amend that.

Thanks also Germ - I'll check your suggestion too next time PC and scope are together

cheers

niko

[Merlin66]

In CdC there's an option to "track telescope" - this shows the telescope position on the chart.
Never verified it, but this could be used to show where the scope is pointing when parked - this would confirm or not whether EQMod and CdC agree on the position???

[Merlin66]

Niko,
Did you resolve your problem??
I did an experiment and can verify that the accuracy of the park position is a key factor.
By disengaging the clutches and bringing the first star back to centre, then re-parking and starting again improves the accuracy.