Polar Alignment

[Nino]

What software can I use to polar Align my telescope that doesn't need me to point at SCP as its hidden behind the trees? Cheers John

[mynameiscd]

Hi John,
Its hard with trees blocking the SCP. but you can do a drift align with quite a few software packages that use drift align. It will take longer but you get very good alignment. PHD2 has a drift align tool so does backyardEOS if you use a DSLR. All you need to see is the Western or Eastern Horizon on the celestial equator. Also where the equator crosses the meridian (nearly straight up).
You can always use a chainsaw if you get really stuck.
Cheers
Andy

[Nino]

Thanks Andy, my wife has already given me permission to cut trees down and I will sometime soon, I will give PHD2 a go as soon as the sky clears.

[Startrek]

John
What mount do you have ?
If it’s a Skywatcher or Orion you can use the polar alignment routine in the Synscan handset ( used when you don’t have a view of the South Celestial Pole )
I use Synscan method exclusively , tried “drift align” a few times but it does take a bit of time
With Syncan I can polar align in 5 mins
Cheers

[Nino]

Hi Martin

I have a fork mounted LX200 on a wedge, the alignment is close but not close enough to do astrophotography,

[chuckywiz]

Alignmasters the software your after. As long as you can see 2 bright stars your good

Ben

[Nino]

Thank you Ben, I will get a copy later today after work.ciao John

[jamespierce]

TheSkyX will do it via a TPoint model if you can get a copy of it.