NEQ6 Pro Polar Scope on G11? (chime in if you own both mounts)

[Logieberra]

Hey guys

Octans / Polar Region is easy to find under our dark Canberra skies.

The Losmandy polar scope is not cheap, however the Skywatcher one is like $50 to $60

If you own both a NEQ6 Pro and G11, would you mind test fitting the Skywatcher polar scope into the G11?

From google images they appear similar... perhaps it can be done with a mounting ring / bunnings DIY bits n' pieces :)

Fingers crossed.

Logie.

[tlgerdes]

First question is WHY?

1) If you are doing visual observing then the Gemini can compensate for your misalignment.

2) If you are doing astro-photography a polar scope doesnt cut it anyway and you really need to drift-align.

I just plonk my G11 down, point it roughly south with compass, set it roughly to my latitude 33deg, then start drifting.

We fitted an EQ3 polar scope to our G-11 (required some custom machining of the polar scope) and have never used it, not even taken the cover off.

[Logieberra]

I've never drift aligned, and no one in my area has the time to show me...

So.... I purchased Alignmaster, still haven't used it but from what I've read it 'HELPS' if you have it as close to the pole as possible.

Sounds like you had the same idea w' your EQ3 polar scope, so not such a silly question after all. Happy to take it off your hands ;0)

[tlgerdes]

Now that is very un-Canberra like. :question:

I could post it to you, but would rather help you with drift aligning.

I use PHD as my "drift align" tool. Faster than some of the other methods I have seen.

ftp://sarcasmogerdes.dyndns.org/download/Drift-alignment-using-PHD-graphs.pptx

username: anonymous
password: anything

It is good to read through Geoff Smiths tutorial first, as he gives a good explanation of "why". http://www.iceinspace.com.au/63-405-0-0-1-0.html

[Logieberra]

Indeed, that's why I'm looking to start my own 'informal' gathering of astrophotographers from the Nth side of Canberra.

I am a loyal member of the Canberra Astronomical Society, but I would like to meet / image more often, informally and a-politically.

I'm also interested in 'tangible help' to help new and seasoned astrophotographers alike. Less talking, and more hands on doing. I have been inspired by young, keen people like Brendan Mitchell in WA... who would have thought that someone so far away could be so helpful... and so patient... I just wish that he lived on the east coast of Australia :).

I'm sure that there are many imagers out there in the Canberra suburbs, but it's a solitary existence, and they tend to operate better in quite isolation. This doesn't help new starters like moi :)

Anywho...

Great info there T. Appreciated. A hand up rather than a hand out. Better in the long run.

Logie.

[tlgerdes]

It's a bit of a drive, but you should come to the SPSP next month. 1-3 April. A great place to learn and ask advice. Especially on imaging setups.

Happy to help. We at the ASNSW imaging group will be trialling webcasts of our meetings later this year.

[troypiggo]

Definitely worthwhile knowing how to drift align, almost a must, and that PHD presentation Trevor linked is excellent. So simple.

[tlgerdes]

I had to write it after last years SPSP where I saw people still "drifting" at midnight. I had to ask myself why had I been imaging for 4 hrs already :screwy: Was I doing something wrong or were they?

[Logieberra]

Trevor

I only just figured out how to open the PPTX file - my netbook version of Windows 7 starter and free MS Office could not open it. I had to download MS PowerPoint Viewer (this may help someone else out there).

Now that's what I'm talking about! Best presentation I've come across to explain this process. Well done!

Thanks for taking the time to do this.

Regards,

Logan