First light 80 mm triplet

[xelasnave]

I could not get a bead on North via the Sun but a good guess got me reasonably polar aligned such that the star trails were not noticable until you enlarged the capture.

This little scope is wonderful I was takng short shots between breaks in the clouds and even at 100 iso it was picking up the glow of m42.
But clouds came in I will have another peek in one hour but so far real good for city location.
Very happy so far.
Alex

[bigjoe]

These are a very impressive, compact scope indeed Alex.. let us know how your going with your polar aligning..thats a low ISO!
Plenty hear are using a guide camera and finder and free Sharpcap software to plate solve the Polar aligning part...but that requires extra time and computer setups.
There is a good article here on easy aligning.
http://www.ozscopes.com.au/How-to-Polar-Align-Equatorial-Mount-Southern-Hemisphere



bigjoe.

[xelasnave]

My problem is the trees.
15 degrees wide to North and no view of South...
Alex

[skysurfer]

Do you have a polar scope ?
If yes, you can center BQ Octantis (not sigma !) in the polar scope, that is sufficient for a few minutes exposure with your ED80.

[xelasnave]

The only place I can get any sky is on the patio on the North side of the house and the house excludes the South at 70 degrees to horizontal ..the sky I have to work with is very narrow because of trees and house.
The mount has a polar scope but it sees the house at about shouler height so it is of no use.
I have a method but last night placed the mount basically where I guessed was right and it came very close. If the cloud had held off I would have adjusted it until it was perfect.I have done it before.
Thanks for trying to help.
Alex

[skysurfer]

Another way without access to the celestial pole is (you need to have equatorial setting circles)
I use this method for viewing bright stars and planets in daylight.
Here is how I do this:

https://www.skysurfer.eu/eqmount.php

An inclinometer can be got at:
https://www.bunnings.com.au/empire-angle-meter-level-protractor_p5664415
Or for less money, the same as I have: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-Inclinometer-Spirit-Level-Box-Protractor-Angle-Finder-Gauge-Meter-Bevel/292322373876?hash=item440fc570f4:g: lYAAAOSwkShY9bW2

[xelasnave]

Thanks for that.
I took a look and what you have set out seems as it would be rather effective.

However last night I managed to get a reasonable alignment drifting on any star that I could see whilst waiting for Orion to come out from behind the trees.

It worked out good enough to get 30 second unguided exposures but then the clouds rolled in...I got about 12 minutes via 25 and 30 second exposures.
I would have liked to use Sirus to focus with because I think focus could have been better but it became a bit of a rush.
I will try and put up a frame to show the round stars...actually I have yet to have a good look at them but they seem ok.
In the end I was taking shots between the clouds it was like hunting rabbits.

Again thanks for your help I appreciate your effort.

Alex

[xelasnave]

And I forgot to switch off the date stamp so captures are stamped.
Alex

[xelasnave]

Here is one frame nikon 24 meg 800 iso 30 seconds. I just noticed the date is a little bit wrong.
alex

[xelasnave]

There is something wrong but I dont think it is polar align.???
Alex

[Camelopardalis]

Alex, if you're using a field flattener, I'd say the distance between the flattener and the camera sensor isn't quite right, as there appears to be some radial star stretching towards the corners.

[xelasnave]

Yes I started a thread in beginers euipment. At the moment I cant seem to adjust what needs adjusting. I will try a few things..even to make sure mount is level..Could have gone off...it should not but I am thinking that way...

Alex