NEQ6 alignment

[deanm]

Folks - as a newbie NEQ6/SynScan driver, from a crude polar alignment, when I do a one- or two-star alignment, should I use the hand control to point to chosen target stars or the mount Alt/Az adjustment knobs?

Dean

[LewisM]

Use the hand controller. Start at between Rate 5 to 9 (depending how close the goto went), then when it is in proximity to the crosshairs of the finder, rate it down to 2, then use your illuminated reticle in the scope and zero it precisely. Ifyou don't have an illuminate reticle eyepiece, centre the star as best you can at reasonable magnification.

I suggest doing a 3 star alignment if you want any sort of decent accuracy. I only use 2 star to do a subsequent re-align later in the night if things are getting wonky (rarely). Never done a single star alignment yet.

[Rob P]

Hi Dean,

For info as you have the synscan. Skywatcher have released a beta system to assist with polar alignment (http://www.skywatcher.com/swtinc/customer_support.php?class1=1).

So when I'm setting up I have the mount in an approx northsouth line; perform a 3 star alignment using the handcontroller; then select the polar alignment option; complete the PA using the knobs and screws.

As it is a beta system, I've found that I need to perform the star alignment again, and then the tracking is petty damn good for the rest of the night.

[deanm]

Thanks for speedy responses, Rob & Lewis!

I had read (here) about the beta assist function and may turn to that once I've got the basics right.

Dean