January 2019
22/34
www.trackthestars.com
Alignment Successful
Calculated Latitude
45.34
Back
1 Align *
Center and press ok
01:23:45 +45:10:12
OK STEP STOP
Alignment Successful
Calculated Latitude
45.00
Back
The operation screen is now displayed.
Slew to the selected star and center it using
the hand pad. Press OK when the star is
exactly centered.
First alignment star is now completed and the
result of the alignment is shown.
This 1 star alignment
–
“Instant Tracking”
uses the location data and the assumption that
the pier is precisely vertical.
For most visual observations, daytime solar
observations and planetary imaging this
simple and fast alignment is completely
adequate.
The advantage is that a very fast alignment
can be made in daytime on the sun or on a
planet.
2 star alignment
– higher precision
For higher precision alignment
– recommen-
ded when doing long exposure astrophoto-
graphy
– a second alignment star must be
added. This will take the exact angle of the
pier into the equations. So there is no need to
spend time levelling the pier exactly.
Select alignment star 2 and align
as alignment star 1.
When alignment star 2 is aligned the system
calculates the complete alignment data. If the
result is OK the resulting
Calculated Latitude
is displayed to let the user estimate the quality
of the alignment.
If the alignment fails it is necessary to perform
the procedure again and ensure the correct
stars are selected in the sky.
Adding alignment star 3
To improve goto accuracy on certain parts of the sky a 2 star alignment can be
expanded by adding a 3
rd
alignment star. This can be done at any time as long
as a 2 star alignment is already completed. Adding alignment star 3 is done
exactly as alignment star 1 and 2.
