(Yet another) polar alignment routine

Folks - another polar alignment routine - this one relies on using an imager and is written primarily for fork mounts. But can be used for GEMS.

Cheers

Dave

www.skyinsight.com/wiki/index.php/CCD_Drift_Method

Ooh I like that, sounds like with a bit of practice that could be nailed down in a few minutes. I might give that a go one one of the moonlit nights over the next two weeks.

Dave and Dave,

This is a well-known technique and I feel embarrassed that I do not bring this technique to your attention earlier. They are various references on the 'net with examples which describe this method of polar alignment.

Anthony.

Yes its fairly obvious when you think about it isnt it? Been thinking about it since posting last and I wonder if its worht it really (for me that is). I normally align by using the CG5AS inbuilt polar alignment routine, twice! The first time gets close then second really close. This might sound like herecy but I then actually offset the alignment a really tiny bit east or west. The reason for this is so my guiding dec corrections are in one direction only. The CG5 is a great mount, but it does suffer from a bit of backlash in the dec axis, so this tiny offset means it stops being a problem when autoguiding. I've yet to see any field rotation caused by this.

Anthony, as recompense for your forgetfulness, please submit a suiatbly awe-inspiring image - we haven't seen anything from you lately...

Any news on the AP1200?

Dave,

You obviously havent seen Sky and Telescope this month. That page hogger, Anthony, has a cracking eclipse shot published in the gallery :shock: AGAIN :shock: !!!

Damn Greeks, first they invent civilisation as we know it, then the bloody olympics, win the european championship and if all that wernt enough, they hog the pages of S&T too :roll:

Bring back the Romans thats what I say!!