Question about goto

[spanky]

This might sound dumb but...

If you have a goto mount, and do a regular polar alignment, and then you do a 2 or 3 star alignment, does it make the tracking any more accurate to allow slightly longer exposures?

[brantuk]

Accurate enough tracking for long exposure depends entirely on accurate polar alignment and guiding - independent of star alignment - the more accurate the longer the exposure possible

[spanky]

Cheers! That what I figured. The star alignment is just to help the mount find stuff isn't it?

[Veracocha]

I asked a similar question earlier today. I spent a long time tonight getting a good polar alignment and as a result I have been tracking the same star for over 30 minutes and it hasn't moved from dead centre. Very pleased with what I learned tonight, so much so I'm now looking for a DSLR.

[spanky]

Good stuff! I've just come in from imaging M63. Stacking it all now coz I'm too excited to go to bed! Good job I don't have to be anywhere in the morning!

Kind of stumbled across it accidentally while doing a sweep with a 25mm eyepiece. I'm seriously thinking about adding the goto upgrade to my mount... Decisions decisions...

Oh and as a side note - Carte Blanche is a serious tune

[Lurker]

Good stuff! I've just come in from imaging M63. Stacking it all now coz I'm too excited to go to bed! Good job I don't have to be anywhere in the morning!

Kind of stumbled across it accidentally while doing a sweep with a 25mm eyepiece. I'm seriously thinking about adding the goto upgrade to my mount... Decisions decisions...

Oh and as a side note - Carte Blanche is a serious tune

Looking forward seeing the picture of M63.