Polar alignment with EQ platform
Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2022 1:28 pm
OK, Wow, why did i wait so long to get a pro license to try out polar alignment for my eq platform!
So i've never been very happy with my 10" dobsonian eq platform tracking for astrophotgraphy (visual its great) and i spend way too long using the drift alignment method and allways seem to have some sort of small drift. Well today i tried the sharpcap polar alignement tool with the reduced rotation mode and it worked a treat. Completed the polar alignment four or five times untill the adjustments where minimal. Yes, the resuts did vary a bit between runs but overall it lined me up quite well.
Generally i have kept my exposures to 10 seconds with anything longer showing elongated stars due to drift and today i was able to get 25 second exposures quite consistantly. I was very supprised!
As allways there is a catch for me. i cant see the south pole from my backyard/viewing position so had to do this test under the verander. However i have learnt my platform is pointing too low. lucky i have a digital level and measure that its out by 0.85 degrees. doesnt sound like much but looking at my bubble level it needs to be significantly off centre when aligned. I can easily sort this out now in my normal viewing location.
Anyway, im rambling. Big thank you for getting this feature working with reduced rotation.
So i've never been very happy with my 10" dobsonian eq platform tracking for astrophotgraphy (visual its great) and i spend way too long using the drift alignment method and allways seem to have some sort of small drift. Well today i tried the sharpcap polar alignement tool with the reduced rotation mode and it worked a treat. Completed the polar alignment four or five times untill the adjustments where minimal. Yes, the resuts did vary a bit between runs but overall it lined me up quite well.
Generally i have kept my exposures to 10 seconds with anything longer showing elongated stars due to drift and today i was able to get 25 second exposures quite consistantly. I was very supprised!
As allways there is a catch for me. i cant see the south pole from my backyard/viewing position so had to do this test under the verander. However i have learnt my platform is pointing too low. lucky i have a digital level and measure that its out by 0.85 degrees. doesnt sound like much but looking at my bubble level it needs to be significantly off centre when aligned. I can easily sort this out now in my normal viewing location.
Anyway, im rambling. Big thank you for getting this feature working with reduced rotation.
