Quote:
Originally Posted by LewisM
One quick question - are you using a compass to get the polar scope axis initially NEAR True South (Mag South MINUS mag declination seeing you are Melbourne)? If you use a compass or mobile phone app,make sure it is at LEAST a metre away from the mount (I solidly mount a good compass in an aluminium bar attached to the head) otherwise they will be afflicted by the magnetic influence of the mounts motors, circuitry etc.
I had been aligning pretty spot on for ages. Moved it to my dark courtyard, and CONSISTENTLY 11° out in azimuth - no matter WHAT I tried, including a new motor board! And you know what it was? Steel reinforcement / rebar in the slab underneath me, couple with the steel house frame and steel roof etc etc etc I was SURROUNDED by magnetic fields, causing all mayhem with the compass and mobile phone app (which are pretty dodgy anyway in my experience)!
Also, which version of the Synscan software are you using? The latest version is USELESS for Southern Hemisphere realignment - sends incorrect adjustments (it sends you the WRONG way). 3.27 is the last semi-usable Synscan software. DO NOT USE THE LATEST RELEASE!
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Nope- I have a big power sub-station in my backyard, so huge magnetic fields here! I just use the pointers and the Southern Cross to determine where SCP is, and then point the tripod in that direction.
Using v3.34. I was excited about 3.32's PA correction function, so upgraded, then found it was useless, so then upgraded to 3.34.
Do you know if it is possible to download v3.27 from anywhere? I've been aware of this firmware issue. When I got the mount, It had FW v3.01, hence I upgraded it to the then-latest (which was 3.32)... D'oh.
Quote:
Originally Posted by whzzz28
I also spent a long time getting my HEQ5 polar aligned. My first advice is to always drift align - especially if your imaging at 5.4M focal length!
Any slight misalignment will show dramatically at that focal length.
A few things i found:
Get a digitial inclonometer from Ebay. They are a few dollars.
Use your GPS to get your lat/long then use the inclonometer to get altitude set as precice as you can.
Then use a campers compass to get true south on the mount (in QLD thats roughly 10deg east from south).
I used to drift align. Three star method is not reliable and i do not suggest you use it. Best place to start with drift aligning is this guide:
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/63-405-0-0-1-0.html
Nowdays i simply use AlignMaster. A piece of software that requires your computer to be hooked up to the scope (EQMOD needed).
It will choose some stars to align on then move your scope for you to the stars. You align the star as precisely as possible then say next. It will slew to a second star and then you need to use the scope controls to move the scope to point straight on. It will then tell you how far off you are in mins/deg. It will ask if you wish to align. Say yes and it will then move the scope slightly in Azimuth. You then turn the azimuth screws to get the scope to center the star again. It will do the same with altitude.
You will then be very close to polar aligned.
Many people do two, three or more passes of the program to get as close as possible.
Its very quick to do and beats drift aligning and can be more accurate.
Of course its not free, but it doesn't cost too much and you need the mount to be connected to a PC.
If that is not an option then drift alignment it is. The guide above explains its better than i can.
Good luck. |
I'll try out a dedicated inclinometer. My astronomy lecturer used an iPhone with an inclinometer app (on his HEQ5), and that was OK because his iPhone is newer and has a flat, straight edge. My 3GS has a curved surface so is useless for that. :/
I don't have a problem controlling the mount with the computer (although have never gone down that path). If that's easier and better than a drift alignment, I don't care about the cost -- just want something to work!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Star Hunter
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Thanks for the link.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nikolas
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Thanks for that as well.
I'm not bothering with the polar scope, by the way. Way too bright to be of any use, and my mount is too old (and so the brightness can't be reduced).
Thanks to you all for your tips.