Quote:
Originally Posted by Stinger346
Hi Barry, yes I have version 0.10.6.1. My equipment came with TheSkyX first light software but I think Stellarium is way better. Isn't polar alignment a little harder without a point for reference? My viewfinder has a silly red dot (light) for locating. I'll get a finder with Xhairs and try to do a drift alignment. Thanks,
Ray
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Hi Ray
Yes a drift alignment is the way to get the scope polar aligned but it is first necessary to get somewhere near the mark.
The elevation scale on the GEM is rather inaccurate but if you set it to your latitude and then use a compass to point the RA shaft in the direction of the south pole you should get a good start point.
The declination scale should get you close enough for basic finding but the RA scale needs to be set to the correct hour angle first before you can read RA and as it does not track hour angle you will need to keep compensating. However when you acquire an object it should be kept in view by winding the RA control.
Photography is not really an option. You could however mount a digital camera piggy back and take wide angle shots at about 20 or 30 seconds exposure while you track a star in the eyepiece and then try stacking 40 or 50 frames in free software like PHD, Registrax, DSS etc.
Your best views will be with the 20mm eyepiece using the other eyepiece on Jupiter, Saturn and the Moon only.
Barry
Newbie
Ray and 
