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Drift Alignment
- dmcdona
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16 years 7 months ago #67765
by dmcdona
Drift Alignment was created by dmcdona
Folks - a question for those of you with a better understanding than me...
I have been doing some drift alignment following a pretty well document process.
Point the telescope to the South (on the meridian) at zero deg declination. If the star moves up or down, you alter the azimuth of the mount/pier. You ignore any East/West movement of the star.
Point the telescope to the East and if the star moves up or down, alter the azimuth of the mount. Again, ignore any East/West movement of the star.
Here's the rub - I have eliminated all the north/south movement of stars both at the Meridian and pointing East. i.e. I have my alt and az adjusters tweaked to near perfection... But if I point East or South, my star always drifts West - not by much but it drifts for sure...
Any ideas?
I have been doing some drift alignment following a pretty well document process.
Point the telescope to the South (on the meridian) at zero deg declination. If the star moves up or down, you alter the azimuth of the mount/pier. You ignore any East/West movement of the star.
Point the telescope to the East and if the star moves up or down, alter the azimuth of the mount. Again, ignore any East/West movement of the star.
Here's the rub - I have eliminated all the north/south movement of stars both at the Meridian and pointing East. i.e. I have my alt and az adjusters tweaked to near perfection... But if I point East or South, my star always drifts West - not by much but it drifts for sure...
Any ideas?
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- DaveGrennan
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- IFAS Astronomer of the Year 2010
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16 years 7 months ago #67789
by DaveGrennan
Regards and Clear Skies,
Dave.
J41 - Raheny Observatory.
www.webtreatz.com
Equipment List here
Replied by DaveGrennan on topic Re: Drift Alignment
Dave, I strongly advise you use WCS.
wcs.ruthner.at/index-en.php
It just cuts out any guess work and will have you perfectly drift aligned in 10 - 15 minutes. The best 20euro I ever spent.
wcs.ruthner.at/index-en.php
It just cuts out any guess work and will have you perfectly drift aligned in 10 - 15 minutes. The best 20euro I ever spent.
Regards and Clear Skies,
Dave.
J41 - Raheny Observatory.
www.webtreatz.com
Equipment List here
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- dmcdona
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16 years 7 months ago #67796
by dmcdona
Replied by dmcdona on topic Re: Drift Alignment
I was thinking of using polealignmax. Not sure that WCS would work with the Proline. But given that its a 30 day free tiral, I'll give it a go. Thanks for the tip!
Cheers
Dave
Cheers
Dave
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- DaveGrennan
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16 years 7 months ago #67821
by DaveGrennan
Regards and Clear Skies,
Dave.
J41 - Raheny Observatory.
www.webtreatz.com
Equipment List here
Replied by DaveGrennan on topic Re: Drift Alignment
Dave,
I had forgotten that you have pinpoint, in that case polealignmax should work out better. WCS is only better for those not ready to shell out for pinpoint.
I had forgotten that you have pinpoint, in that case polealignmax should work out better. WCS is only better for those not ready to shell out for pinpoint.
Regards and Clear Skies,
Dave.
J41 - Raheny Observatory.
www.webtreatz.com
Equipment List here
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- JohnMurphy
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- Super Giant
16 years 7 months ago #67862
by JohnMurphy
Clear Skies,
John Murphy
Irish Astronomical Society
Check out My Photos
Replied by JohnMurphy on topic Re: Drift Alignment
Dave,
Is WCS suitable for an unmodified SPC900NC. Or do I have to mod it for long exposures?
Is WCS suitable for an unmodified SPC900NC. Or do I have to mod it for long exposures?
Clear Skies,
John Murphy
Irish Astronomical Society
Check out My Photos
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- DaveGrennan
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16 years 7 months ago #67878
by DaveGrennan
John,
Unmodded cameras are perfect. In fact WCS doesn't support LX modded cameras.
Regards and Clear Skies,
Dave.
J41 - Raheny Observatory.
www.webtreatz.com
Equipment List here
Replied by DaveGrennan on topic Re: Drift Alignment
Dave,
Is WCS suitable for an unmodified SPC900NC. Or do I have to mod it for long exposures?
John,
Unmodded cameras are perfect. In fact WCS doesn't support LX modded cameras.
Regards and Clear Skies,
Dave.
J41 - Raheny Observatory.
www.webtreatz.com
Equipment List here
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