AlignMaster + LMST

[strutsinaction]

Hi

AlignMaster seems to be regarded quite highly so yesterday I downloaded the latest version of this tool (v1.10.52) with a view to using it to fine tune my EQMOD polar alignment. The trial key now lasts until November, BTW, rather than 30 days.

Initially I selected 'London/GB' from the 'Site location' dropdown list just to test the tool. I noticed that the 'Time' edit box remained set to '1' and the 'Daylight Savin'g checkbox was unchecked. So, I set Time to '0' (GMT) and checked the 'Daylight Saving' checkbox. I then compared the LMST value shown on the display to the LST value shown in the EQMOD simulator and http://www.jgiesen.de/astro/astroJS/siderealClock/. The AlignMaster LMST value is 1hr later than EQMOD and http://www.jgiesen.de/astro/astroJS/siderealClock/. Anyone else notice this discrepancy?

The only way I can see to get the AlignMaster LMST value to agree with EQMOD and http://www.jgiesen.de/astro/astroJS/siderealClock/ is to set the 'Time' edit box to '1' but that can't be right, can it?

Selecting other 'Site locations' from the dropdown also show a similar discrepancy unless 'Time' is set to '1'. For example, I've just selected 'Tokyo/JP' from the dropdown with 'Time' set to '1' and the LMST value shown by AlignMaster is 15:17:ss. Entering the same location into http://www.jgiesen.de/astro/astroJS/siderealClock/ I also get 15:17:ss. If I set 'Time' to '9' (Tokyo is GMT+9) the LMST value shown by AlignMaster is now 8:17:ss.

So, I'm confused. what is the purpose of the 'Time' edit box?

Thanks for any advice!

Regards

John

[strutsinaction]

Further research indicates that others have also noticed this discrepancy:

http://www.astronomyshed.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=54&t=21130

According to Matthias (author of AlignMaster):

"LMST has to be correct! You can adjust the timezone to get correct LMST. LMST is the only one that counts (UT is not important)."

So from now on I will leave 'Time' set to '1' (even though I'm in the UK) so that the LMST value shown in AlignMaster is the same as EQMOD and other online LMST calculators for my location.

I'm still interested to know what others in the UK are using for the 'Time' value!

John