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How to get the best tracking on an AltAz Mount - Celestron Nexstar 6SE

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#1 pnata

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Posted 09 January 2025 - 07:13 AM

Hi all,

 

Quick question.

 

I want to get the best tracking possible from the AltAz mount of my Celestron Nexstar 6SE. What should I do?

 

Is the tracking only given by the mount itself by default and based on the "speed mode" you set on the HC or is it different for every object you select to go to?

Are all the settings on the time, zone, location, 2-3 star alignments, leveling tripod etc.. only useful for the GOTO but not for the actual tracking?

 

I know about the limitations of having an AltAz mount and that I will never track properly objects like with an Eq mount, but what can I do to improve that or to get the best out of it?

 

Thanks!



#2 Sincos

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Posted 09 January 2025 - 09:36 AM

welcome.gif pnata  . For visual it should not matter , however if you have any camera or other equipment hanging out of the back end serious balance issues arise . Perhaps this might alleviate the problem .

 

http://www.nexstarsi...ds/Backlash.htm

 

 Good Luck and Clear Skies 



#3 astrokeith

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Posted 09 January 2025 - 09:44 AM

Hi all,

 

Quick question.

 

I want to get the best tracking possible from the AltAz mount of my Celestron Nexstar 6SE. What should I do?

 

Is the tracking only given by the mount itself by default and based on the "speed mode" you set on the HC or is it different for every object you select to go to?

Are all the settings on the time, zone, location, 2-3 star alignments, leveling tripod etc.. only useful for the GOTO but not for the actual tracking?

 

I know about the limitations of having an AltAz mount and that I will never track properly objects like with an Eq mount, but what can I do to improve that or to get the best out of it?

 

Thanks!

Welcome to CN!

 

You must complete all the initial set-up - time, zone, location star alignments etc. This is essential not just for goto, but also tracking. The scope needs to know exactly where it is pointing to calculate the drive rates in each axis.

 

That done, the tracking should be reasonably good. Definitely good enough for visual use. Its not suitable for astrophotography though if that is your hope.



#4 pnata

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Posted 09 January 2025 - 09:51 AM

I was hoping to do some astrophotography and build up my skills before I saved enough to buy an AM3/5 or a SkyWatcher Wave mount.

 

I tried some days ago with Orion and I was able to get only 1.5sec exposures time photos using a Canon 70D attached to the C6 before startrailing started.

 

I am even looking for a guide scope but I've read it's literally useless with AltAz mounts.

 

 

I will then spend time to make my alignment procedures perfect so I can get the best out of it anyway, and in the meantime perfectioning my skills doing planetary or short exposure astrophotography.

 

I also found this article online which could really help a lot.

 

https://telescopemou...is is very easy


Edited by pnata, 09 January 2025 - 09:51 AM.


#5 whizbang

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Posted 09 January 2025 - 10:52 AM

The more precise you can be during your setup, the better your tracking and gotos will be.

 

For example, balance the OTA front to back in the mount.  Use the actual GPS coordinates for your observing location, not just the nearest city in the hand control database.  Set your time within +/- 5 seconds.  Use a high mag eyepiece and center the two stars in the "auto 2 star" alignment with up and right movements.

 

And if your haven't already done so, get a real 12 volt battery and stop using those AA batteries.

 

Good luck.



#6 pnata

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Posted 09 January 2025 - 11:00 AM

The more precise you can be during your setup, the better your tracking and gotos will be.

 

For example, balance the OTA front to back in the mount.  Use the actual GPS coordinates for your observing location, not just the nearest city in the hand control database.  Set your time within +/- 5 seconds.  Use a high mag eyepiece and center the two stars in the "auto 2 star" alignment with up and right movements.

 

And if your haven't already done so, get a real 12 volt battery and stop using those AA batteries.

 

Good luck.

Thanks for this suggestions.

A question I always had was.. when setting up time in the HC does it start counting from the moment I click "ENTER" or from the moment i complete the alignment? If now is 5.01PM CET but I complete the alignment at around 5.05PM CET is that an issue or is the HC already counting seconds and minutes?



#7 whizbang

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Posted 09 January 2025 - 08:51 PM

Not an issue.  It keeps time after you enter the time.  You don't have to rush the alignment.



#8 rcooley

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Posted 18 January 2025 - 10:15 PM

So, took this with my 10+ yr old Nikon D500 on an alt az EVO8 a couple years back before I got into EAA and plate solving with the Asiair Plus. This was a 15 second exposure, that I focused in live mode on the small screen on the back of the camera itself, so prob not the best possible focus, but the mount seems to have tracked the target decently as the stars are still round-ish. I used the three star alignment method back then, driving the scope with my ipad instead of hand controller.  The thing that helped impove my alignments the most back then was the 25mm cross hair reticle eyepiece I used to use for each alignment. Not sure if it contributed to better tracking or if the EVO just tracks better than an SE, but used same reticle eyepiece and auto two star alignment method (with hand controller) for the 4SE I had before buyng the EVO and the goto’s and tracking on that little scope never disappointed. Cheers…

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