Last Updated on March 07, 2022 by Gene Timothy
Since Most Astrophotographers use an equatorial mount
for their imaging, we will explain our process of polar
aligning
For a telescope to accurately track the sky motion of any celestial object
like planets, stars, and deep-sky objects, precise polar alignment is
needed. This is true for any equatorial telescope, both for manual and electronic types. Without proper polar alignment, objects will always drift out of view making it impossible to perform lengthy and detailed observations. In astrophotography, poor polar alignment would mean sad-looking star trails in captured images. This guide will give you the basics you will need in order to get your polar alignment close enough for auto-guiding, the more time you spend getting precise Polar alignment
Point your mount North
1.ย Ensure your Tripod is pointed to true north by using a compass and aligning the tripod post o match the offset of your location. To find your True north offset you can use this website calculator – https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomag-web/#declination
Level your tripod legs
2. Ensure your Tripod is level by adjusting the mount on top of the tripod. You can also skip this step and just level the mount and tripod in one step using the built-in bubble level on your mount if it has one.
Level mount using built-in Bubble(optional)
3. You can use the built-in bubble level on our mount if it has one to double-check the accuracy of your tripod. if you leveled the tripod the bubble should be in the center of the circle.
Adjust your latitude setting
4. Once your tripod and mount are level the latitude adjustment bolts on either side of your mount. You can use this calculator to find your latitude – https://www.gps-coordinates.org/
Level your mount in Declination
5. Make sure your mounting plate is level before placing your Telescope. You can also skip this step and just level the mount and tripod in one step.
Level your mount in RA
6. Make sure your mount is level in RA, place the level on the counterweight rod, and adjust as needed. You can then set your RA settings circle to 1800, this will help you later on if you ever need to make adjustments and need to do them manually.
Rotate Declination axis so polar reticle is visible
7. In order to see through the mount and allow the polar finder to be aligned you need to rotate the declination axis so there is no obstruction.
Remove the Polar Finder cover
8. On the other end of the mount you need to remove the polar finder cover which will give you access to the use of the polar finder reticle for further aligning of your mount.
Find Polaris in your polar finder reticle
9. After completing the previous steps Polaris should be in the field of view and only a minor amount of tweaking to get Polaris aligned correctly in your reticle should be needed.
Rotate the mount in Right Ascension
10. In order to align your scope with NCP or the North Celestial Pole (in the Northern Hemisphere) you will need to rotate the right ascension axis until the view through the finder matches what your App displays
Use the Polar finder reticle to set Polarisโ location
11. Depending on your brand of mount the finder on your phone or computer situate Polaris in the correct location based on the diagram. Use the azimuth adjustment knobs as needed.ย Once you position Polaris to match the diagram in the Polar finder App, you are now set to mount your telescope.
This alignment technique will take some time to get acquainted with, but over time you will be able to Polar align your tripod and mount in a matter of minutes. This will get you close enough that when you use an auto-guider your accuracy should be pretty spot on and in turn create fewer adjustments for the auto-guider.
