You may need to mark your laptop screen somehow from pic to pic so you can see how the movement of the mount corresponds to the star movement. If you're taking pictures (as opposed to Live View), move the mount in one direction only between pictures to see where the star goes. After the slew, physically move the mount (via the single back M14 screw and via rotating the whole mount) such that Polaris is in the dead center of your viewfinder. ISS transit) Autoguiding using a cheap webcam As many parts built into the mount or tripod as possible (i.e. Polar Scopes may get you dead on, or may be as much as half a degree off, and theres no way of knowing from one time to the next. battery compatibility) Auto polar alignment Able to align in other axes (e.g. Most 'alignment routines' in computerized mounts probably will get you close enough for 10-15 exposures without much rotation. The mount will move for a bit, mostly around RA. Slew accuracy of 1 arcminute or better Power voltage of 12V or 24V (i.e. This alignment technique does not require iteration between two stars and therefore does not require you to move the mount at all. This requires you to use your camera If you are using OATControl click on Polar alignment, if you're using the LCD: select CAL > Polar Alignment .polar alignment tool along with an adjustable wedge or tripod of some kind to align the mount to the rotation of the earth to with an accuracy of less. This is a benefit, in that it means you can dial in an accurate polar alignment without having to rely on the pointing accuracy of your mount (which may be limited to 1-2’). Next, you will need to Polar Align the mount. If you are using OATControl, use the four directions to center the RA and DEC ring like shown, then click Set Home. If you are using the LCD, use the four arrows to center the RA and DEC ring like shown and press SELECT, then Yes to confirm. This is the position you will have to bring it in every time you set it up!
In the Southern Hemisphere, it is turned around.Īlign the home marker in the middle of the RA ring with the indicator of the RA motor mount.Īlign the two sprockets of the DEC wheel with the RA Ring, so that the DEC assembly points 90° to the RA Ring. This is how OAT should be aligned to North and South in the Northern Hemisphere.
#Accuracy of backyardeos polar alignment software
BackyardEOS is Windows only software BackyardEOS is downloadable software only Here is a 2 hour 41 minutes presentation on BackyardEOS by its creator. Built by astrophotographers for astrophotographers. BackyardEOS will control your Canon DSLR camera and deep sky long exposure images all night long. This adjustment does not need the camera, it is purely physical, using the OAT hardware. Program your image capture plan and walk away. Homing means rotating the RA ring to be centered and the DEC ring rotated such that the camera points out of the RA ring at 90 degrees (see figure below).