> HOW TO IMPROVE OUR POLAR ALIGN ACCURACY
To check the polar alignment of your telescope look trough the polar scope. When turning the Ra axis the polar star should move in the exact circle in the eyepiece without any deviation. From the Go To control panel, you can check the polar accuracy after alining the telescope by going to align – > display polar alignment. The deviation should be not more then a few minutes. You can use the menu option to correct the alignment. The telescope will point a star and then you will have to center it in the field of view by moving only the azimuth and altitude axis.
So in short : align -> polar align, you can use the the procedure for precise polar alignment. The telescope will first point the last object in the field. You will need to center it with the controls. Then the scope will point again and you will need to center the object again but this time using the azimuth and latitude axises of the head. when done the RA mount axises will point at the celestial pole and star trails during long exposures will be reduced.
Good alignment is critical for long exposure photography. Good luck!
This is a comparison of my not modified Pentax k5 DSLR and the same, but modified one without IR-cut filter.
Astrotracer is a great way to take advantage of the Pentax DSLR camera in-body shake reduction mechanism. It is available since Pentax k5 and track celestial bodies by moving the sensor. Here is what is it ablout:
Staying at my home inspires me to make some documentation of my experience. I got a dedicated drive for my astrophotos and start reorganize them by objects. Here is an article of the most recent process I use on my photos. Enjoy: )
For a few months from now Betelgeuse (Alpha Orion) dim so much, that it looks as bright as the stars in the Orion belt. This is not so disturbing and does not mean that cataclysmic events are happening with it.
For my last trip to the Rodopa mountain I decided to cross the limits and to target an object that is hard to believe that a non-professional equipment could catch.
