Can software help you drift align? YES

[1ponders] (Paul) · #1 14-08-2006, 08:59 PM

I was asked up at Duckadang if K3CCDTools really helped with drift aligning, and I proceeded to wax lyrical about the benefits of using software, not just K3 to help you drift align.

So to give those here who don't use software to help I've included here a screen dump of the K3 drift explorer for tonight. To read it all you need to do is look at the pink line on the graph. That is the motion of the Dec drift. The blue is RA movement. The wiggles are effects of seeing. So what is the graph telling us. Well in the top right hand corner you can see the number 1257, this is how many seconds the drift reading has been running for. ie 20min. The numbers at the side of the graph are the number of pixels the center of the star has moved, with zero at the center. The setup I am using has a resolution of 0.58 "/pixel . So in twenty minutes my Dec drift (error in altitude ) has only been between 0.58 and 1.16 " And how long did this take me to get this accurate. Well apart from the 20min to take this reading, I spent 15 min adjusting it from setting it down tonight. True it takes a bit of practice, but boy if you want an accurate drift align, then I don't think you will get much better in such a short period of time.

As another example, at Lostock this year Gary Kopff and I measure my Alt and AZ error using the new TPAS function of Argo Navis. My AZ error was less than the error of the AN and my Alt was only 5" out and the AN had an error of +/- 2.5",

It really does makes that much of a difference.

[1ponders] (Paul) · #2 14-08-2006, 10:04 PM

I did a very small tweak before imaging and here's the result. I've been giving manual guiding ago (seeing as I can't get my autoguiding to work

) but using K3 rather than look through a reticle. I like my comfort too much. Anyway...... this is a screen dump of over 2000 sec (for the mathmatically challenged over half an hour) with NO manual dec adjustment during that time. My drift error is much less in that time than the seeing condition (around 2"-3")

h0ughy (David) · #3 14-08-2006, 10:05 PM

Thanks Obewone for the update of how superiour you are with that software

. You have almost converted me to the dark side

, I am resisting but mate, with the results you have been getting and the legendary 12minutes unguided exposure at duckadang (inside joke

) you certainly gained my attention. A few things though, now I have chosen the path I did, but I will actually seek to secure a webcam (newer one ) soon and the software and cables. The ST4 will work for me when I am away but for use at home where I can use the lappy happily I will be looking at a setup like yours. Can you detail the goodies required for the grail search Paul?

[1ponders] (Paul) · #4 14-08-2006, 10:09 PM

NP Luke. ToUcam and K3 (any version with the Drift Explorer) You could use any autoguiding program probably, I just like the drift explorer so I can see graphically what is happening rather than try to follow digit drift.

h0ughy (David) · #5 14-08-2006, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [1ponders]

NP Luke. ToUcam and K3 (any version with the Drift Explorer) You could use any autoguiding program probably, I just like the drift explorer so I can see graphically what is happening rather than try to follow digit drift.

Now I am on the path for my quest, to seek the holy toucammy thingy and the tool!

Will I survive the journey

. Ok might be a few months off, I have a few irons in the fire at the moment, and need to finalise them, but this will be the next one stoking the coals

.

[1ponders] (Paul) · #6 14-08-2006, 10:18 PM

Come up one weekend and I'll go through the process with you (please see this thread for risks involved)

RB (Andrew) · #7 14-08-2006, 10:33 PM

What about the blue line Paul?
Don't you need to take that into account?

[1ponders] (Paul) · #8 14-08-2006, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocket Boy

What about the blue line Paul?
Don't you need to take that into account?

When drift aligning, the RA (blue line) is ignored. If I was guiding the blue line would be following the zero line as closely as I could get it by using my RA controls, though using the Orion to image through and guiding through the 8" meade I have a fair margin for error.

Dennis · #9 15-08-2006, 06:50 AM

Hi Paul

Thanks for the very well illustrated and described insight into drift aligning with K3. I must try this on one of those moonlit nights.

Cheers

Dennis

sheeny (Al) · #10 15-08-2006, 08:09 AM

Good one Paul!

I was one of the few Jedi Apprentices to attend Paul's drift aligning workshop at Lostock. It is an absolutely great way to drift align! I find it can get a little busy with my setup when measuring the camera angle, but with the remote control that Paul uses (I think Robbie in NZ makes them??? is that right?) that little bit of the force seems easier to deal with.

Any chance you could be talked into writing a little tutorial on drift aligning with K3 for the site Paul?

I reckon it's the bee's knees... just about the whole insect's erogenous zones... and I wouldn't have learned it if I hadn't been at Lostock.

Al.

[1ponders] (Paul) · #11 15-08-2006, 04:33 PM

I'll look into it Al

Mightn't bee for a little while though, flat out like a lizard drinking atm.