Auto polar alignment?
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Auto polar alignment?
It's been years since I had to do an alignment so I would like to hear what everyone is currently using in the way of software. I have an Orion EQ6g mount.
I've looked at PHD2 as I used it a long time ago to setup and check my pier mount. I was using the 'drift alignment' tool. I know they have a new version also.
Thoughts?????
Scopes: Explore Scientific ED80CF, Skywatcher 200 Quattro Imaging Newt, SeeStar S50 for EAA.
Mounts: Orion Atlas EQ-g mount & Skywatcher EQ5 Pro.
ZWO mini guider.
Image cameras: ZWO ASI1600 MM Cool, ZWO ASI533mc-Pro, ZWO ASI174mm-C (for use with my Quark chromosphere), ZWO ASI120MC
Filters: LRGB, Ha 7nm, O-III 7nm, S-II 7nm
Eyepieces: a few.
Primary software: Cartes du Ciel, N.I.N.A, StarTools V1.4.
- bobharmony
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Re: Auto polar alignment?
The newer tools in PHD2 are nice for getting in the ballpark, but I'm an old-school kind of guy
B0b
Software: BYE, APT, PHD2, DSS, PhotoShop CC 2020, StarTools, Cartes du Ciel, AstroTortilla
- dritter
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Re: Auto polar alignment?
I usually first used the polar scope to get in the ballpark.
Then I would use the polar routines in the hand controller to get closer.
And the final touches were done through the PHD drift alignment procedure.
It sounds time consuming, and it is. But with practice it is not too bad and usually I could get all this done in the last hour of twilight before actual full darkness.
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Re: Auto polar alignment?
DSO AP: Orion 200mm f/4 Newtonian Astrograph; ATIK 383L+; EFW2 filter wheel; Astrodon Ha,Oiii,LRGB filters; KWIQ/QHY5 guide scope; Planetary AP: Celestron C-11; ZWO ASI120MC; Portable: Celestron C-8 on HEQ5 pro; C-90 on wedge; 20x80 binos; Etc: Canon 350D; Various EPs, etc. Obs: 8' Exploradome; iOptron CEM60 (pier); Helena Observatory (H2O) Astrobin
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Re: Auto polar alignment?
That feature may only be available with the Pro version (licensed) and not the free-to-use version.
Scopes: Apertura AD12 f/5; Celestron C6-R f/8; ES AR127 f/6.4; Stellarvue SV102T f/7; iOptron MC90 f/13.3; Orion ST80A f/5; ES ED80 f/6; Celestron Premium 80 f/11.4; Celestron C80 f/11.4; Unitron Model 142 f/16; Meade NG60 f/10
Mounts: Celestron AVX; Bresser EXOS-2; ES Twilight I; ES Twilight II; iOptron Cube-G; AZ3/wood tripod; Vixen Polaris
Binoculars: Pentax PCF WP II 10×50, Bresser Corvette 10×50, Bresser Hunter 16×50 and 8×40, Garrett Gemini 12×60 LW, Gordon 10×50, Apogee 20×100
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Re: Auto polar alignment?
Static Polar Alignment (SPA) is more accurate than PDA but not as good as classic drift alignment. It is better suited to the southern hemisphere where there are several easily identifed stars around mag 7-8 near the pole and a couple of "pointer" stars of around mag 10 within 2' of the pole.
When I need to polar align I start with PDA to get fairly close then use SPA to set the set the
GSO RC8 CF; Vixen 150mm F5 Newtonian c.1983; Super Polaris mount; DMD-1 controller; DIY Arduino controller; EQ6Pro mount; Synscan 3 controller; Avalon M-UNO; Vixen 60mm F12 refractor guidescope; Meade Lightbridge 12"; ASI1600MM-C; ATIK 420, Tamron 46A 70-210mm, ST80, Imaging Source DBK-21AU04-AS cam, Prostar/Toupcam GPCMOS0120KMB, ZWO ASI120MM-S, Bortle 5 sky.
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Re: Auto polar alignment?
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Re: Auto polar alignment?
I keep a 12mm illuminated reticle eyepiece in my kit ,it's enough for me to get me polar in under 25 mins if i ever go
cameras : asi 1600mm-c/asi1600mm-c,asi120mc,prostar lp guidecam, nikkon d60, sony a7,asi 290 mm
mounts : eq6 pro/eq8/mesu 200 v2
filters : 2'' astronomik lp/badder lrgb h-a,sII,oIII,h-b,Baader Solar Continuum, chroma 3nm ha,sii,oiii,nii,rgb,lowglow,uv/ir,Thousand Oaks Solar Filter,1.25'' #47 violet,pro planet 742 ir,pro planet 807 ir,pro planet 642 bp ir.
extras : skywatcher f4 aplanatic cc, Baader MPCC MKIII Coma Corrector,Orion Field Flattener,zwo 1.25''adc.starlight maxi 2" 9x filter wheel,tele vue 2x barlow .
- Gordon Online
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Re: Auto polar alignment?
I did look at the SPA (I haven't tried it yet). I have used PDA quite a few times to both setup and check the alignment on my pier. Since I'm familiar with it and I'm in the northern hemisphere that will probably be what I will use.KenGS wrote: ↑Tue Sep 24, 2019 12:22 pm I authored the two new methods in PHD2. They both let you polar align when pointing at the polar region. Polar Drift Alignment (PDA) is a quick and easy way to get a pretty good PA within about 10'. It is limited by noise from e.g. poor seeing as it relies on very small drifts. Also, it needs an enhancement to reverse the indicated correction when used with an OAG or flipped image.
Static Polar Alignment (SPA) is more accurate than PDA but not as good as classic drift alignment. It is better suited to the southern hemisphere where there are several easily identifed stars around mag 7-8 near the pole and a couple of "pointer" stars of around mag 10 within 2' of the pole.
When I need to polar align I start with PDA to get fairly close then use SPA to set the set the OTA home position and do a final PA based on the pointers. Being in the southern hemisphere thats sufficient but if I were a northerner I'd probably follow up with a classic drift alignment as the most accurate method.
Thanks very much for your hard work on PHD2. It's a great tool that has served me well for years!
Scopes: Explore Scientific ED80CF, Skywatcher 200 Quattro Imaging Newt, SeeStar S50 for EAA.
Mounts: Orion Atlas EQ-g mount & Skywatcher EQ5 Pro.
ZWO mini guider.
Image cameras: ZWO ASI1600 MM Cool, ZWO ASI533mc-Pro, ZWO ASI174mm-C (for use with my Quark chromosphere), ZWO ASI120MC
Filters: LRGB, Ha 7nm, O-III 7nm, S-II 7nm
Eyepieces: a few.
Primary software: Cartes du Ciel, N.I.N.A, StarTools V1.4.
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Re: Auto polar alignment?
Regards
Graeme
Celestron 9.25 f10 SCT, f6.3FR, CGX mount.
ASI1600MM Pro, ASI294MC Pro, ASI224MC
ZWO EFW, ZWO OAG, ASI220MM Mini.
APM 11x70 ED APO Binoculars.
https://www.averywayobservatory.co.uk/
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