Sky Watcher SynScan Fine Tune Tracking

[deepview]

Hi,

I've only used my goto a few times and getting mixed results.

I only do 60 second time shots and get some great images...

What is the most important to to improve the tracking?

1) The time setting to the second? ( I normaly go by the min)

2) Making the Tripode bubble in the center ( Normaly about 1mm off )

3) Long & Lat ( How close do i need to get?)

4) The Angle of the star I'm setting up with? ( How high?)

5) Should i used the cross on my Target or Center of eye piece?

Please give any help or ideas on how to improve my tracking.

Many Thanks

Paul

[Merlin66]

You'll probably need to start considering guiding rather than just tracking....

[Cornelius Varley]

Item 6 not on your list : polar alignment (this should item number 1). Without a good polar alignment the tracking will be off.

Peter

[deepview]

Hi,

I forgot to say its not an equatorial mount. I under stand about the star rotation after 60 seconds.

Just trying to get the most out of the tracking.

Thanks.

[Earl]

Which Mount are you using?

[deepview]

Thanks for helping.

I've got : Sky-Watcher Startravel-102 SynScan AZ GOTO refractor telescope.

Its a great telescope and mounth, Look at my gallery.

I use a digital SLR Olympus e410.

[deepview]

[Earl]

Unfortunatley with that mount you will not be able to get photographic level tracking, only visual.

[Space Cowboy]

Use 2 star alignment seems better than brightest star. Make sure your tripod legs are only half extended for extra stability. When star aligning use a high power eyepiece to precisely centre each star (a zoom eyepiece is great for this).

Sometimes the ALT axis nut needs half a turn if the ota moves up or down when pressed.

For sure stars nearer the horizon are better for alignment.

Make sure you have a good consistent power supply. A weak battery can mess up tracking.

To be honest I think this mount will always struggle with the weight of a SLR but as I mentioned tightening the alt nut will help with this.

[deepview]

Hi,

Thanks for the help and new ideas to try out. Once i get the tracking spot on ill look at the Messier Objects and find the smaller ones with the zoomed eye pices.

Should i get the Date & time to the second and Long/Lat closer to my location to get better tracking?

Thanks

Paul :-)