NexStar GT Aliging Advice

[daz]

Santa brought MiniDaz a NexStar 114 GT for Crimbo, and I'm just after some alignment advice - i.e. which stars have people used, same side of the meridian or across it?

We have the choice of a Quick align (point north), Two Star Align or Auto Align. I guess I favour the two star, but open to experts!!

Of course, it all hangs on getting some flippin' clear skies at some point in the next millenium!!

[CELESCOPE]

Hi Daz , yes 2 star the best to go really , i always take one in the east or northeast and one south or south west , only use 3 star for more accurate go to to over come cone error,

Rog

[daz]

Thanks Rog

I'll see what options we get, when we get it out (next year!!!)

[CELESCOPE]

oh god dont say that Daz hehehehehe , as i look out the window at fog and rain

Grrrrrrrrrrr

[MartinB]

Think the main thing is to try to avoid stars which are too close together. more than 90deg apart should be fine

[trudie]

Hi Daz

i was'nt ignoring your question about being your sister!! New to Forums, Telescopes, Astrophotography, Computers etc,etc,(oh god maybe I should just give up now).

I assume you have a sister called Trudie, Its taken me this long to work out how to reply to you on that question!!

I have a Nexstar130 bought as a pressie in November and as a complete novice I managed to do 3 star alighnment and once I worked out the name of 1 star tried alighning on that only SUCCESS!!

Mind you that was on almost the only clear night since November.

Regards

[exjet]

Hi Daz, There's even free software out there to help.......see http://www.ilangainc.com/bestpair/

[daz]

I assume you have a sister called Trudie, Its taken me this long to work out how to reply to you on that question!!

I do and don't worry - it was more of a jape rhetorical question!!

My son is going apoplectic at the weather - just unbelievable. Three times we have starting aligning under a clear(ish) sky and three times the clouds have driven us inside!!!

Thanks for that link exjet - checking out now

[GordonCopestake]

Dont forget Mike Swansons excellent site http://www.nexstarsite.com/

[ZOG]

Daz, using the SLT mount I always try to use Betelgeuse first, swing across to Mizar, then back to Sirius. If I use the 10mm EP, I never get an align fail.

[daz]

Can't do 3 Zog!

Thanks for that link Gordon