Polar Alignment

[Skyhawk (Justin)]

Hi Guys

I'm almost embarrassed to ask this question. I got my SSAG up and going last night and was able to get 60 second exposures and now this evening I could barely get 15 seconds. I assume this means I am not properly polar aligned. Has anybody had any hassles with the EQ5 Synscan upgrade kit and autoguider port?...or is it just me.

I'm obviously doing something very wrong when I polar align, I know exactly how to find the SCP but how do I know that my telescope is exactly in line with the mount. I have a polar scope but for Octans it's basically useless in the faintest light pollution. Now I know the mount needs to be aligned basically through that polar scope hole ... but without the polar scope how?

What I'm asking is, apart from drift alignment, hoe do you guys visually set your scope to the SCP?

Thanks!

[pluto (Hugh)]

I have an EQ5 and unless my polar alignment is pretty good the guiding can be a bit rough.
If you can't align the mount visually then you'll have to drift align, either with an illuminated reticule eyepiece or with your camera and software.
I prefer to align using my guide camera/scope and PHD using the method described at the bottom of this page: http://www.njstargazer.org/PolarAlignment.asp

[BlackWidow (Mardy)]

I use a different setup as I have an LX200 on a wedge. I use a program called Alignmaster that you can find on the net. Makes the whole job very very easy. It uses two stars an goes back and forth. You just keep adjusting the mount until alignment is reached. I had loads of trouble trying to align and thought I was a fool. Now it is so easy and fast an wish I had found the program sooner. Oh and yep,,, I am still a fool. LOL


Hope this helps

Mardy

[BlackWidow (Mardy)]

I use a different setup as I have an LX200 on a wedge. I use a program called Alignmaster that you can find on the net. Makes the whole job very very easy. It uses two stars an goes back and forth. You just keep adjusting the mount until alignment is reached. I had loads of trouble trying to align and thought I was a fool. Now it is so easy and fast an wish I had found the program sooner. Oh and yep,,, I am still a fool. LOL


Hope this helps

Mardy

[Skyhawk (Justin)]

Thanks guys, will give That Alignmaster a try and the simulator on the NJStargazer sight might help me with hours of frustration

[pmrid (Peter)]

Before you drift align, it helps to be "in the ballpark".

Because I don't know your level of experience, I will run the risk of teaching granny to suck eggs (I hope that's a universal expression).

To get a south point, you need either:
(a) a decent compass and the figure for your local magnetic deviation - remember it is not magnetic south you want but celestial south. Here, the figure is about 11 degrees and my celestial south is at about 169 degrees magnetic; or
(b) a piece of string with a weight on the bottom and a watch. Find the local time for solar noon and by using a plumb-bob, mark the shadow of the string-line at that precise time and it will give you a perfect south line. Put some marks on the ends of the line and use it to position your mount. I have found that if I stand back with a straight piece of timber or metal, and by holding one end of it over one end of the line while looking down the length of the rod or ruler or whatever, you can quickly see whether your mount's RA axis is on the same line. If it isn't, use the azimuth adjustment to get it there.

Then, you need a spirit level. Your mount should be reasonably level - perfection is not necessary.

Then you need to know you local latitude and have so sort of inclimometer or other means of making sure your RA axis is set at that level. A piece of cardboard cut to the angle will do and you can use your spirit level again.

Once you have done those things, you should be fairly close. Drift aligning from there should be reasonably fast and reliable.

If you need any help with drift aligning, just ask - plenty of people here will offer advice - most of it good.

Peter

[Skyhawk (Justin)]

Thanks Peter, yeah no that side I've got totally sussed. With a pair of binoculars I can find the SCP pretty quickly, I know that part of the sky quite well. I've been doing astrophotography for a few years but just plodding along never really making a go of it, I've now decided to do that. I'm a pro photographer but this is just a hobby and my biggest issue seems to be getting myself accurately polar aligned, almost every tutorial I have read is based on the Northern Hemisphere, so when they say point your scope east, I now know it has to be west...right?
but then apparently everything goes opposite from there as well.