
D.A.R.V (Drift Alignment by Robert Vice)
#1
Posted 06 January 2013 - 05:15 PM
#2
Posted 06 January 2013 - 06:58 PM

#3
Posted 06 January 2013 - 07:07 PM
#4
Posted 07 January 2013 - 07:44 AM
#5
Posted 07 January 2013 - 02:56 PM
LGM
#6
Posted 07 January 2013 - 11:41 PM
You mention that the corrections would be different for a GEM and I guess I don't understand why that is so. Can you clarify?
BTW this is probably the best example I've found. The pictures really clarified what I'm looking for from my image.
Chris
#7
Posted 08 January 2013 - 05:23 AM
Robert,
You mention that the corrections would be different for a GEM and I guess I don't understand why that is so. Can you clarify?
Chris
+1
#8
Posted 08 January 2013 - 06:37 PM
I keep reading posts/articles referencing "drift alignment". I understand what it is but not having a GEM go-to mount, I havn't really paid any attention to technique. This does help lots! I eventually will go the rout of a GEM mount for my refractors.
Good viewing!
Bob
#9
Posted 09 January 2013 - 01:34 AM
#10
Posted 10 January 2013 - 08:32 AM
#11
Posted 10 January 2013 - 08:22 PM
I can't think of why it would be different either; minus the actual motions of the GEM. But you should figure that out when your "V" is bigger or smaller based on how you move it.
This is the best example I've seen though. I'm really glad he put it together since i was hoping to learn this technique this year.
#12
Posted 11 January 2013 - 01:16 AM
#13
Posted 11 January 2013 - 10:09 PM
http://www.minorplan...aralignment.htm
I also describe this method in my book and provide a complete procedure also in chapter 12.
http://www.amazon.co...actical-Astr...
- timshea likes this
#14
Posted 12 January 2013 - 12:45 AM
Your explanation is good too! Thank you for posting the follow-up information.
#15
Posted 12 January 2013 - 10:50 PM
I meant to post the link to the original source... Jim Hall
http://www.physiolog.../hall/polar.htm
#16
Posted 26 January 2013 - 11:29 PM
#17
Posted 31 January 2013 - 02:36 AM
#18
Posted 26 April 2014 - 10:59 AM

The DARV instructions states to move the mount to the west and then to the east. Is moving W or E the same as rotating about the RA axis CW or CCW?
#19
Posted 10 May 2019 - 02:56 AM
I am from the Southern hemisphere, so I take it I should point North in setting up?
#20
Posted 29 December 2019 - 05:42 AM
I don't quite understand it completely.
For the altitude one use thesame movement of the telescope , so moving it in RA again to the west? as for the azimuth?
And why a 6 mag star? Rather have a bright one to point the telescope and camera to
Then the issue remains on how to move the mount , confuses me al the time,the second exposure will make it better or worse but in the end this is a trial and error method , and those Always cost time...and you have to remember your previous steps. Really i have trouble with this...
#21
Posted 17 August 2020 - 08:38 PM
D.A.R.V (Drift Alignment by Robert Vice)
By Robert Vice
Did this last night. Worked like a charm. Simple after a few tries. Thanks so much for posting - super helpful when Polaris isn’t in view.
I did 180 second trails. 90 sec out & back. Maybe 3-4 passes on each axis, rechecking each once. You can get quite accurate alignment this way.
I used the compass and (mostly) inclinometer apps on my mobile phone. First to set true north and level everything. Then to quantify my adjustments in response to the star trails.
Edited by timshea, 17 August 2020 - 08:50 PM.
#22
Posted 17 August 2020 - 08:48 PM
I don't quite understand it completely.
For the altitude one use thesame movement of the telescope , so moving it in RA again to the west? as for the azimuth?
And why a 6 mag star? Rather have a bright one to point the telescope and camera to
Then the issue remains on how to move the mount , confuses me al the time,the second exposure will make it better or worse but in the end this is a trial and error method , and those Always cost time...and you have to remember your previous steps. Really i have trouble with this...
Once you try it, it becomes easier. Basically:
- Align mount as best you can manually.
- Point the scope south (at 0 DEC). Move it east and west. Adjust mount until “V”s become flat lines.
- Point the scope east (at 0 DEC). Move it north and south. Adjust mount until “V”s become flat lines.
Star magnitude didn’t matter at all for me. All 500 stars in view made the same “V” shape.
#23
Posted 12 July 2022 - 08:54 AM
D.A.R.V (Drift Alignment by Robert Vice)
By Robert Vice
I have only a DSLR, so I don't have an automated way to pan. Is panning by hand accurate enough? I guess as long as the other 2 axes are locked in it's fine? Actually, I cannot access declination of 0 (horizon). More like 15 or so. Would this still work?
Edited by hatflyer, 12 July 2022 - 09:38 AM.
#24
Posted 13 July 2022 - 04:59 PM
You can rough align with a compass and inclinometer.
#25
Posted 13 July 2022 - 06:32 PM
Actually, I guess what really matters is the start and end points, right? I guess the lines add some clarity, but what matters is if your start and end points don't match, u have make adjustments.
I cannot get a star at the southern horizon, but only about 15 degrees above it. Will that still be useful?