Suggestion for polar alignment

[esz1080]

Hi Guylain,

 

Glad to meet you during the AstroCATS. Thanks for the suggestion of using CCDT67 with AT8RC, works really well.

 

I like to suggest if the following is possible:

 

Assisting polar alignment adjustment:

 

Requires:

 

1. Focal length of the scope ( can be calculated by snapping a picture, and do it with platesolving to give arcsec/pixel )

2. calculated az/alt adjustment value. 

 

Then BackyardEOS can draw a rectangle in the liveview, for the user to adjust the mount, by placing a star near the meridian/equator intersecion.

 

Possible ?

 

Edmond.

 

 

[esz1080]

Or, superimpose a grid in the liveview, with user specified focal length and unit ( X arc sec or X arc min ) ?

 

Edmond

[dts350z]

You mentioned plate solving. Astrotortilla already does what you suggest, although I've settled on the drift alignment in phd2 version 2.5.

 

I think the phd2 could be improved, as sometimes I'm too far off to get a purple circle I can then minimize.

[esz1080]

Hmm.... from what I looked at AT information on the web ( as well as on cloudynights forum ), AT only gives you the error. What I am suggesting is translate that error into the BYEOS liveview screen so to make adjustment easier.

 

I know PHD2 does drift alignment. However, using platesolving seems to be faster and takes the guessing game out.

 

Edmond

[dts350z]

For more out of AT than just the error see here: http://www.scopefocus.info/polar-alignment

 

However I found that PHD2 seems to work better/faster once you understand it.