Polar alignment for planets

[Ratlord74]

Hi guys

Do you have to polar align for viewing and imaging the planets with a R/A motor drive.

I ask because the planets move differently to the stars so polar alignment can't work in the same way can it?

[Shibby]

The planets orbit slowly enough that a polar alignment is usually enough to keep them within your FOV for a long time. Certainly long enough to cover the rare clear patches of sky

[Ratlord74]

Thank you Lewis

Clear skies

Ray

[JB80]

I just use some old marks facing North when I did a rough 'solar noon' polar align once and it is close enough for imaging with a webcam. Sometimes it's spot on and other times I get slight drift but it still takes a few minutes which is enough time to gather the pics you need.