When I first started out I had the CPC1100 on an EQ Wedge and could spend hours trying to get it into alignment, just to get frustrated and take some images of planets just so the night wasn’t a fail. When I was buying my new telescope I spent a lot of time reading about how to do it, and now that I have it on the island and have used it about 10 times I find polar alignment to be much easier. Maybe its the 7 years since I last tried it, or maybe its the equipment (CGX vs CPC on Wedge). I’m pretty sure its the software. So here is what I do when I go to setup my system for imaging.
Later Afternoon / Early Evening (20 mins):
Carry mount (Tripod and CGX) to concrete pad, align legs to marks on the ground (if you can mark your last leg location it is a huge time saver)
Bring Counter Weights from office and install on mount
Bring RASA and all equipment pre-mounted and place on CGX
Connect cables and power
Balance scope on mount
Put outdoor cover on (avoids evening rain disappointments)
Just after dark (10 mins) :
Power up equipment
Teamviewer from iPad to Astro-NUC
Make sure Pegasus USB has powered on Cameras and Focuser
Open SharpCap Pro and select primary imaging camera from Camera Menu
Set camera settings to around 1 to 2 sec exposures
Select Tools -> Polar Align
Follow 4 or 5 steps to get to “Excellent” Polar Alignment
Connect CPWI software to CGX using USB Connection
Kick off StarSense Auto-Alignment
Go inside and figure out what there is to image that night
The $20 or so I paid for the Pro version of SharpCap is probably the best investment I did on the entire system. I got it for the Live Stacking but I think the Polar Alignment comes with the Pro version as well. Once you get used to it is really pretty simple. Basically you let it find the stars in the home position, rotate about the RA access 90 degrees, let it find the stars again and then it tells you your errors. Move the mount screws in RA first either right or left until your error is less than 1’. Move the elevation screw until you are under 1’ error and you will have excellent alignment. Remember to wait the 1 or 2 secs on the exposure time before adjusting and make small steps.
Have a great night
Blue Water Dark Sky
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