How to align?

bqb

The manual for the mount isn't text searchable (please correct the format!), but I haven't found where it says how to align the mount for either EQ or AltAz mode and using the mobile app only. I'm guessing point it North, but does the orientation of the base matter? Then what? Both modes, please, app only--no computer. If AltAz is a bust, as it sounds like here, then I'll try EQ for visual.

Sorry if this is explained somewhere here. I can't understand why it wouldn't be in the manual.

jeremiah2229

In either mode turn the mount on then hold the Cancel button on the remote and that will send it to home position. Align the mount and tripod so they are facing north. If EQ mode then of course you need to adjust the RA axis to the latitude for your location. Alt-az mode the RA axis needs to be set to 90 degrees (straight up). It will not matter as to the base of the mount since you are just pointing the whole thing north, I am assuming you are in the northern hemisphere.

ZWO will iron out the goto, probably just refining the code, finding errors. Tracking here in either mode is good. Ensure it is level, pointed north and if EQ mode ensure you use the correct latitude for your location. In EQ mode user your RACI to get to Polaris and then in the eyepiece. You have to adjust the setup manually here, moving the whole setup by hand. Turn the tripod and mount east / west and manually adjust the latitude (do your initial latitude adjustment in the house before you mount a scope on it). Use a eyepiece that gives you a 1 degree FOV and center Polaris in it. This will be fine for visual and tracking will be good. You will just have to slew to center your targets after every goto but it will track fine.

Edit:
Once you have Polaris close use the azimuth adjust on the mount to fine tune and center. Sorry, forgot to share up there.

bqb

Thanks. Not sure how I was supposed to figure that out! Is there documentation somewhere that I didn't see?

jeremiah2229

Yeah, it seems that ZWO is assuming most users will be imagers and already know how to set the gear up. As I shared for EQ set your latitude in the house before you go out. Once you have the rig pointed north you use the RA adjustment on the mount to fine tune and set the latitude, this is putting Polaris in the center of the field and use the azimuth adjustment also. For me once I would be pointed north I look in the RACI to see if Polaris is there and if not I turn the whole rig east/west until I find it then ensure I have it on or very close to the crosshair in the RACI. The latitude was set indoors for my location so that will be pretty close then manually adjust the latitude (pitch). The fine tuning do in your eyepiece to get Polaris centered in a 1 degree field manually again with the latitude azimuth adjustments.

If you use Stellarium you can further fine tune Polaris placement. Start Stellarium, click on Polaris then press Ctrl+O for the ocular view. Now right click in the ocular view to deselect Polaris then press Shfit+Alt+N to align Stellarium north. Use a scope eyepiece combination that gives you about 1.5 degree FOV and this will keep Polaris out by the edge of the field. Take note of this location in the eyepiece and the time then when you do your polar alignment you can place Polaris accordingly in the eyepiece. After you have done a polar alignment once if you are using the same spot in the yard for example you can point north and get on Polaris quickly and no need to do the alignment routine again, this is fine for visual.

Where Polaris is for me at 7 pm CST tonight:

bqb

I guess I'm unclear about one point in both modes. Using the app only, do I just sync on select stars to align the mount as with most other computerized mounts? There's no obvious "align" function. I know AltAz needs the latest beta to supposedly use more than one star, but is "alignment" just syncing?

Walf@ZWO

the "Sync" action, need do like this, after center the target, in APP starmap, clieck the target, then click "Sync" button,make sure the real posion is sync to the mount, slew could use handcontrol.please see my test.
https://bbs.astronomy-imaging-camera.com/d/15540-am5-latest-firmware-beta-v122-is-released-for-test/53