3 replies to this topic

[aroughroad]

Can anyone recommend an app for iOS phones that shows the true (not magnetic) celestial poles with an equatorial grid and a telrad target? I’m hoping to use this method to polar align during the daytime by lining my mount up with the southern pole as shown in the app, as shown in this video:

https://youtu.be/ywL...wBEbJF3v8ySDOlA

[RonH47]

It's not exactly what you are describing, but I think this is what you really need: Polar Scope Align Pro for $2.99  https://apps.apple.c...pro/id970161373

 

I believe it has support for a Telrad view.  This app uses the iPhone compass and gyro capabilities to find the North Celestial pole. Just lay it on your mount and it will do the rest. Lots of people who use the SkyWatcher StarAdventurer camera mount use it. I recommend it for either nighttime or daylight use, you don't need to see the sky.

 

You will need to set your internal compass on iPhone settings to show the true north pole, not magnetic.

Edited by RonH47, 07 January 2024 - 12:31 PM.

[Celerondon]

I agree with RonH47.  That Polar Scope Align Pro app is worth every penny of the cost, if not more.  

 

I downloaded this Daytime Polar Alignment Bracket for my iPhone from Cults3D.  It was designed by Johnny Turpin.  It works great with the Polar Scope Align Pro app, and I expect to use it frequently for daytime and nighttime setups.  I modified Johnny's design to fit my iPhone 13 with Fusion 360 and printed it on a Qidi X-Plus.  I used PLA and a 60% fill setting, but I will switch to something more durable if this material doesn't last.  

 

It is incredible how easy it is to achieve a quick polar alignment with the PS Align app and this tool. 

 

Don

 

I printed this bracket in two pieces because it was too large to fit on my printing table.

 

The two parts of the cell phone bracket fit together so well that I don't use glue to hold them together.

 

[DeepSky Di]

I used to use Polar Align Pro - it is great and very full featured. I also have Sun Surveyor which shows the path of the sun and moon and shows the equatorial grid, poles and more. It's worth checking out its features for the eclipse, even if it's not going to work for polar alignment. I was just planning to use my phone's compass and try to clamp it into my mount - hoping to try it this weekend.