29 replies to this topic

[keverett]

I understand now the tradeoffs for doing the no polar alignment approach.  I see that it's not optimal for AP.  I'm committed to doing the polar alignment because it's really not that hard.  It's what comes after that is a problem.  Markinspace, I appreciate your post.  It's pretty amazing that that's all you do and you're off to the races.  Nice.  I however being a rank noob am still having problems with what exactly is "home" with the asiair.  Can you give me a bit more information about what you mean when you say "home."  My Orion Sirius EQ-G doesn't have a home sensor and I understand home means weights down.  After I polar align my scope using the asiair, how do I go to home at that point.  Do I slew to home?  How do I let the ASIAIR know that I'm at home and ready to slew to my target?  Because, after polar alignment, the asiair thinks it's ready to go find a star, but it never does.  I've done this about 5 times and it unsuccessfully shot the target I was after.  I'm doing something wrong, I realize that.  But where am I tripping up?  Thanks for any and all help here. 

[kathyastro]

My Orion Sirius EQ-G doesn't have a home sensor and I understand home means weights down.

I have the same mount, in its Skywatcher incarnation, the HEQ5.  Home is a mount position.  Software, including the AA, has no idea where Home is, because there is no home sensor.

 

It will help your gotos if you make your home position accurate.  Most people are satisfied with "counterweights kind of down-ish", but that isn't good enough.  To make your home position accurate:

1. Set the counterweight arm horizontal.  Measure it with a level to get it perfectly horizontal.

2. Note the position on the RA setting circle.

3. Rotate in RA exactly 90 degrees (6 hours of RA) to the counterweight-down position.

4. Lock the RA clutch.

5. Rotate the scope in Dec to a horizontal position.  Measure it with a level to get it perfectly horizontal.

6. Note the position on the Dec setting circle.

7. Rotate in Dec exactly 90 degrees, so the scope points to the pole.

8. Lock the Dec clutch.

 

At this point, the mount is in an accurate home position, but neither the mount nor the software knows it!  To tell the mount that it is in the Home position, turn the power off, then on.  The mount always assumes that it is in the Home position when it powers on.  It is important that you ensure an accurate home position before turning it on.

 

I don't know the AA, but if it works like most software, it just assumes that the mount knows where it is.  If you have set up the Home position as above, that assumption is correct.  If you have not set up Home, the assumption is wrong and will induce errors in the software's sky map.  The star alignment can partly correct for errors, but you will get the best results by ensuring there are no errors to begin with.

[Markinspace]

Keverett, I don't have your mount, I use the AM5, but what kathyastro describes in terms of what to do to prepare your mount is correct.  Then, after turning on ASIAIR, go to the telescope on tripod icon, click on it, scroll to bottom, and hit home telescope.  That’s what I refer to above.  Then go to and your off.  
 

Definitely align your tripod to solar noon, that helps a lot in terms of accuracy.

[psandelle]

I understand now the tradeoffs for doing the no polar alignment approach.  I see that it's not optimal for AP.  I'm committed to doing the polar alignment because it's really not that hard.  It's what comes after that is a problem.  Markinspace, I appreciate your post.  It's pretty amazing that that's all you do and you're off to the races.  Nice.  I however being a rank noob am still having problems with what exactly is "home" with the asiair.  Can you give me a bit more information about what you mean when you say "home."  My Orion Sirius EQ-G doesn't have a home sensor and I understand home means weights down.  After I polar align my scope using the asiair, how do I go to home at that point.  Do I slew to home?  How do I let the ASIAIR know that I'm at home and ready to slew to my target?  Because, after polar alignment, the asiair thinks it's ready to go find a star, but it never does.  I've done this about 5 times and it unsuccessfully shot the target I was after.  I'm doing something wrong, I realize that.  But where am I tripping up?  Thanks for any and all help here. 

Any astronomy clubs nearby? Some of this stuff seems complicated to track down when you're starting off, but then when someone shows you, you go "D'oh!" If you could find a seasoned astronomer to help, you'll find a lot of your frustrations turn out to be pretty simple (once you know it ). I'm always helping people out at my dark site who are starting in with astrophotography (I let my buddy help the visual people ), and sometimes it's just a check of a software box, or a  difficulty visualizing an idea that's had them stumped. Once that's solved, they're home free.

Paul

[keverett]

Sorry for the delay in responding to the great comments and help that this thread has brought forward.  I had a death in my family and was otherwise directed.  So, thanks for your understanding.

 

KathyAstro, your post contained the kind of information that works best for my brain.  Thank  you.  It was a revelation.  Markinspace, your comment was helpful as well to locate the home command on the AA.  However, I was thrown a bit by your comment regarding aligning the tripod to solar noon.  I thought you aligned the "N" leg of your tripod to polar north.  This makes polar alignment with the AA easier because you don't have to jack the tripod around to get the mount pointing north enough for polar alignment.  So, some explanation here would be helpful.  

 

There are astronomy clubs near the large cities that are closest to me, but none out in the country where I live.  I would have to drive at least an hour to get to the nearest one and it's just not practical for me at this point.  I'll keep a look out though and see if a better opportunity arises.  

 

Thanks everyone for all the assistance here.  Best regards and clear nights to all.

k