Star Adventurer - Did I do a correct polar alignment?

[Alex23]

Hi there,

Introduction:

I just bought my first piece of equipment - a Skywatcher Star Adventurer. Since I'm a keen photographer I thought it's a good way to get started taking images of the night sky with my DSLR.

As a total beginner the polar alignment was a bit tricky. I read a couple of tutorials, watched some videos and the general concept is understand - I believe However there's one thing I'm not a 100% sure about and since it's cloudy here at the moment, I thought I'm gonna ask you guys to confirm my "theory", before I go out to the field.

Question:

The Skywatcher Star Adventurer has a built in polar scope (inverted - I think), which is fixed with the RA axis. So when I turn the RA axis, the reticle inside the scope turns as well. I'm using an app called "PolarAlign" to show me the position of Polaris/NCP based on my current location and time - nothing new so far When I look through the polar scope, it's usually turned a bit (0 not at the top) and my guess is, that I have to align 0 to the top, before I position Polaris as shown on the app correct? In the attached image I tried to simulate what would happen if I wouldn't do that and then the NCP is not centred. There's another app called "PS Align Pro" which allows you to adjust the RA in case 0 is not at the top and then gives you the right position of Polaris. So... sorry if I probably overcomplicate it a bit... just wondering if my thinking is correct. Guess most of you know this stuff by heart.

Thanks a lot!

Alex

Here's the current equipment I plan to use it with:

Skywatcher Star Adventurer, Canon 700D, Canon 1100D, Canon 70-200 2.8 IS II, Canon 17-55 2.8 IS, Manfrotto MT055CXPRO4 Carbon,  Manfrotto MH055M0-Q5 Ball Head

[Davey-T]

I just rotate so 0 is at the top,  then adjust so Polaris is at the place on the circle shown in various apps or zoom in on Polaris in Stellarium and put it in the opposite place.

If you can keep an unobstructed view through the polar scope while you're imaging you can tweak it a bit to keep it tracking in the circle.

I also filed out the slot in the dovetail so I can leave the illuminator fixed in it while imaging,.apologies for blurry pic

Dave

[brrttpaul]

I usually just look at the app on my phone and copy it, so if the little circle is at 10 oclock  on my phone i just lossen the clutch wheel and rotate it till it shows the same. been pretty good so far

[Alex23]

Thanks Dave - so I guess I was on the right track.

I actually thought of attaching a webcam to the polar scope (couple of guys did that with the old SPC900NC) and filing a slot into the dovetail to have the illuminator attached all the time is a great tip - thx.

Just need to see if I can fit everything there including the ball head - but where there's a will, there's a way

[Alex23]

@brrttpaul:

Thx. Yes it seems pretty obvious, just wasn't sure. And since most apps also allow an inverted/normal view it's pretty easy I guess. Let's see how easy it'll be in the field Tomorrow will be a clear sky here so I'll give it a go.

[Davey-T]

I think it's worth doing as you can keep an eye on it while imaging and give it a little tweak to get it back in the circle if it starts to wander, I've found you can make small adjustments without loosening the lock screws.

Dave

[brrttpaul]

Keep meaning to do that to mine just never have enough time, you would think it would have been done as standard though lol

[Alien 13]

Thanks Dave - so I guess I was on the right track.

I actually thought of attaching a webcam to the polar scope (couple of guys did that with the old SPC900NC) and filing a slot into the dovetail to have the illuminator attached all the time is a great tip - thx.

Just need to see if I can fit everything there including the ball head - but where there's a will, there's a way

If you can get hold of a camera RA finder http://www.amazon.co.uk/Seagull-Finder-Minolta-Olympus-cameras/dp/B004CGE90U it can just be held up to the polarscope or can be attached fairly simply with a bit of diy.

Alan

[Tinker1947]

When the Polar Alignment is set-up correctly as outlined above, you should be able to turn the mount and polaris will follow the circle  round and stay in line with it, the other critical thing i found has been getting the balance right, once done i would expect 5 minute non trailing images, getting power to the mount is easy a tracer battery with a car mobile phone charger plugged in the usb lead has a 5 volt line that plugs into the SA usb socket.......

[glowjet]

Both the Canon B and the Nikon DR-3  RA camera finders can be adapted for use with Polar scopes and finder scopes, as they have round bosses for the camera connection end, which makes for easier adaption. The dreaded Bay is a good place to find s/h units at a reasonable price