Jump to content

Narrowband

Recommended Posts

I want to start sketching double and multiple stars again.

After reading many explanations I am still confused as to label my sketches to the cardinal points I will be using a refractor with a diagonal.

As I use a goto mount I cannot just switch off and let the stars drift through the eyepiece thus giving me West then knowing North is 90° clockwise.

So can someone please tell me or show me in simple terms how to do it I am sure when I find out I will kick myself.

I have typed it in google and gone through the list From all the astronomical sites and I am more confused thank you in advance.

Paul

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 I don't use go-to Paul, so I'm only guessing. If you were to disengage your RA axis while the mount was tracking, would that not give you the preceding direction so you'll know where north is? I wouldn't know if that would cause any coordination problem, or whether you could simply renegade the drive and recentre the star without issue. 

Edited by mikeDnight
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On my skywatcher handset you can go into settings>tracking and switch off the tracking momentarily. However I imagine that will mess up your alignment (it doesn’t on mine as it’s the AZ-EQ6 with freedom find).

The other thing might be to look up the view on a planetarium app to begin with the compare it to the view through the scope, relay on the view being distinctive enough to compare. 

If the moon is up you could look at that first to gauge the orientation, should be fairly easy. 

 

Edited by CraigT82
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Press the < and > buttons on the handset and see which way it goes :smile: Just remember in a diagonal W is left and E is right visually if you are looking south and the handset will be the opposite.

However, I turn my diagonal around to get the most comfortable eye position, so for me the < and > method is the only way.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Mr Spock said:

Press the < and > buttons on the handset and see which way it goes :smile: Just remember in a diagonal W is left and E is right visually if you are looking south and the handset will be the opposite.

However, I turn my diagonal around to get the most comfortable eye position, so for me the < and > method is the only way.

So if I press < and > depending on which was sends the scope West the will be the answer.   

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, mikeDnight said:

 I don't use go-to Paul, so I'm only guessing. If you were to disengage your RA axis while the mount was tracking, would that not give you the preceding direction so you'll know where north is? I wouldn't know if that would cause any coordination problem, or whether you could simply renegade the drive and recentre the star without issue. 

 

1 hour ago, CraigT82 said:

On my skywatcher handset you can go into settings>tracking and switch off the tracking momentarily. However I imagine that will mess up your alignment (it doesn’t on mine as it’s the AZ-EQ6 with freedom find).

The other thing might be to look up the view on a planetarium app to begin with the compare it to the view through the scope, relay on the view being distinctive enough to compare. 

If the moon is up you could look at that first to gauge the orientation, should be fairly easy. 

 

By disengaging any Axis I am going to have to align again I am trying to avoid doing this thanks.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, wookie1965 said:

 

By disengaging any Axis I am going to have to align again I am trying to avoid doing this thanks.

You'd only have to do this once to find out the characteristics of your scope then you'd know which direction is east/west for subsequent viewing sessions.  A couple of hours getting used to your scope before you start to use it in anger are hours well spent. 

Graeme

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Paul

During the day, unpowered, pointing roughly south, focus on a distant landmark.

Is it inverted ?

North is at the bottom of your view.

Is it lateral flipped ?

West is to the left of your view.

Or as Craig suggested, look at the moon, before powering on for the night's viewing.

Either compare the view with reality.

Or with only finger pressure, give the front of the OTA a tiny push to the west.

And to the south.

Note which way the movements are in the eyepiece view.

Michael

 

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, michael8554 said:

Hi Paul

During the day, unpowered, pointing roughly south, focus on a distant landmark.

Is it inverted ?

North is at the bottom of your view.

Is it lateral flipped ?

West is to the left of your view.

Or as Craig suggested, look at the moon, before powering on for the night's viewing.

Either compare the view with reality.

Or with only finger pressure, give the front of the OTA a tiny push to the west.

And to the south.

Note which way the movements are in the eyepiece view.

Michael

 

That makes more sense thank you easy to follow guide.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Just turn off the ra tracking and the direction of movement is West, then turn the tracking back on, recenter the star and press align. Your refractor with a diagonal will have North at the top but if you rotate your diagonal to make viewing easier this apparent position will change but once you've found West (in a diagonal view) North will be 90deg clockwise.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.