Polar alignment

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Jessi
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Joined: Wed Sep 16, 2020 1:23 am
Real Name: jessica palmer
Location: Saint Paul

Polar alignment

Post by Jessi »

I've been looking at polar finder scopes. Are they necessary or is there an easier way than very roughly aligning with Polaris? I want to start playing with setting circles.
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Dave Venne
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Real Name: Dave Venne

Re: Polar alignment

Post by Dave Venne »

You can look through the hole the polar scope would go. Center Polaris in that view and the setting circles will be able to get you reasonably close to objects.

If you're not taking long-exposure images you can probably do just fine without a polar scope.
Jessi
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Joined: Wed Sep 16, 2020 1:23 am
Real Name: jessica palmer
Location: Saint Paul

Re: Polar alignment

Post by Jessi »

Thanks! I don't plan on doing long exposure imaging...then again 3 years ago I didn't think I'd be doing any imaging at all.
sandconp
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Real Name: Conrad Sanders

Re: Polar alignment

Post by sandconp »

I actually don't use a polar scope for polar alignment.

I use Sharpcap Pro or Nina using my OTA or guidescope.
Conrad Sanders

Celestron Evolution 8
Celestron CGX Mount
Celestron CPC 1100
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Lunt LS60MT Solar Scope
Jessi
Posts: 94
Joined: Wed Sep 16, 2020 1:23 am
Real Name: jessica palmer
Location: Saint Paul

Re: Polar alignment

Post by Jessi »

I forgot about Sharpcap. I'll give that a try next time. Thanks!!
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clayton
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Real Name: Clayton Lindsey
Location: Woodbury, MN

Re: Polar alignment

Post by clayton »

NiNA has one now too. I have read it’s easier if you have a automated scope.

This was interesting https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/7889 ... alignment/

TLDR : Precision of methods are “good enough” but not perfect. There are precision errors and repeatability errors between trails of even the same tool. All get you to a good enough polar alignment for guiding to the limits of smaller rigs.
Clayton Lindsey
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