Can Point Alignment Compensate for Bad Polar Alignment

[russellhq]

I have real trouble polar aligning my scope from my site and wonder if I could just level it, point it south and use EQMOD to set a few alignment points to compensate for bad alignment,

Is that possible?

[chrisshillito]

Polar alignment error creates the following effects.

1. Goto error.

2. Tracking error.

3. Field rotation

The pointing model in EQMOD will correct for the goto error provided you have a point local to your target.

If you're imaging then guiding can compenstate for the tracking error.

Field rotation is only really an issue for imagers and depends on your imaging resolution, field of view, guide star location relative to the target and exposure time. Ideally you would need to ensure the rotation across the entire field of view is less than a pixel during your exposure to prevent trailing in the image. If, and its a big if, you can ensure that then there is software around that can align and stack the rotated subs.

Chris.

[russellhq]

Guess I shoudl start practicing my drift alignment