Polar alignment: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 19:08, 22 November 2016

Revision as of 19:12, 22 November 2016

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===Drift alignment method===

Drift alignment is a method to refine the polar alignment after a rough alignment is done. The method is based on attempting to track stars in the sky using the [[clock drive]]; any error in the polar alignment will show up as the drift of the stars in the eyepiece/sensor. Adjustments are then made to reduce the drift, and the process is repeated until the tracking is satisfactory. For the polar axis altitude adjustment, one can attempt to track a star low in the east or west. For the azimuth adjustment, one typically attempts to track a star close to the meridian (declination less than 30 degrees from the equator) in the hemisphere opposite of the observing ___location.

Two stars are needed for drift alignment, one for adjusting the azimuth of the mount, and one for adjusting the altitude of the polar axis (i.e. the 'latitude' setting). For the azimuth adjustment, one typically attempts to track a star close to the meridian (declination less than 30 degrees from the equator) in the hemisphere opposite of the observing ___location. For the polar axis altitude adjustment, one can attempt to track a star low in the east or west.

== Equipment used in polar alignment ==