Skytee2 slo-mo knobs: degrees per full turn

[Captain Scarlet]

After spending my observing session last night trying to navigate from the Coathanger to the Nova in Hercules (/Aquila) with my Skytee2 carrying a SW 8" newtonian, and eventually succeeding, I thought I might share a number that I wish I'd known last night.

I was able to find the Nova very quickly using 8x binoculars plus @JeremyS's chart of the locale. Knowing that it was a bit over 7 degrees "mostly right and up a bit" from the Coathanger, I simply panned right just over a full binocular FoV and there it was. Through the eyepiece of the Newt, it was more difficult. First I had to note which direction the slo-mo knobs turned the mount, and I also had to judge how far to go. At higher magnification than the bins, with stars racing across the view and with one axis "reversed", it was quite tricky. Knowing the angular distance between the objects, if I'd known the "angular distance per full turn" of the slo-mo knobs, I would've been able to "fly blind" to the general vicinity with some confidence and pan around from that point.

I did find it eventually, but knowing that number would've saved me some time. It should really be stamped or printed on the mount somewhere.

I spent a pleasurable part of this afternoon with my collimation laser measuring distances between laser-spots on my living room wall.

Any way, the Magic Number is ... ... ... 2.5 degrees per full turn on both the az and the alt axis. (perhaps this is well-known?)

Cheers, Magnus

Edited June 13, 2021 by Captain Magenta

[Stu]

I thought everyone knew that Magnus?

🤣🤣🤣

More seriously, that is very handy to know and will make for slightly easier star hopping. I can picture you now with your setup, working it out 😀👍

[Captain Scarlet]

36 minutes ago, Stu said:

I thought everyone knew that Magnus?

🤣🤣🤣

More seriously, that is very handy to know and will make for slightly easier star hopping. I can picture you now with your setup, working it out 😀👍

What else is there to do on a lousy weekend like this 🤣☀️