I wish I could give you a thousand thumbs up. I can't tell you how horrible the Skywatcher EQ6R instructures are. Left out so many key things you need to do. This is the best explanation I've seen on TH-cam. Only one that answered all my questions.
Exactly the explanation I have been searching for! Very clear and concise, giving a full understanding of how to properly align and use the polar finder scopes correctly. Will definitely have to watch more of your videos. Great job Ken!
After getting a heq5 telescope mount as a retirement thingy, I have really been struggling to understand polar alignment. Thank you very much for a very clear and easy to follow description.
I find this video to give one of the best explanations on how to align your mount using the polar alignment scope. Not many people know how to explain procedures well.
Ive had this mount for years and had such a difficult time understanding the polar aligning part of this. This helped SO MUCH! I can finally get back to using my Sirius goto mount :) Thanks a lot!
Question: Just to be clear, when you are done with your polar alignment, you return the RA back to the “home” position (CW Shaft down) before performing a 3-star alignment, correct ?
I have had my German EQ for 4 years and never thought to rotate the ra to line up dipper and cassiopia. I instead would unscrew the polar scope up to 1 turn to get them lined up. I knew this was not ideal since the polar scope becomes a little loose and sloppy when partially unscrewed. Wish I would have seen this 4 years ago. I hate using the polar alignment scope since it is not illuminated and I cannot see the reticle markings once it is dark and polaris is visible. I try to shine a light down the polar scope to see the reticle markings but that is a pain.
I have a Sirius EQ-G that has the constellation reticle. I got the Ioptron alignment app for my phone and it can be configured to show where the circle should be. Actually, I just leave the RA in the vertical position and adjust until Polaris is exactly on the big circle line at the hour angle shown by the app. I wish it had the train track reticle but this method has worked ok for me. I autoguide and can get 3 minute exposures at 1500mm with no star tracks without a problem.
Is a computer-controlled mount much better than a manual 1 where I do the slewing for PA? It seems a Goto doesn't really matter once u are polar aligned, right? Well, maybe if u auto-guide?
Thankyou for being able to get my brain to absorb this piece of information at long last. Now I'm retired I've sort of rekindled my interest in what's out there. Figured I'd have a look before I become cosmic dust 🔭
Excellent presentation, Ken. I always have the bad habit of thinking Polaris is at the exact same position as the North Pole. A result of wishing thinking...and casual observing when better accuracy was not needed.
I just bought a polar scope that has the Big Dipper and Casseopeia on it. Can you just rotate the polar scope to align with the Big Dipper and Casseopeia rather than rotating the RA axis? Does it make a difference?
Yes, you could just rotate the polar scope instead of the entire RA axis in a pinch for a quick alignment, but it won’t be as accurate. To rotate the polar scope by itself requires that you start unthreading it from the mount. When unthreading, the polar scope will become slightly loose in the threads, leading to some excess wobble and inaccuracy. The most accurate way to polar align is by rotating the RA axis after ensuring the polar scope reticle is calibrated with the RA axis.
i just got my first telescope and mount EXO2GT and i cant figure out how to set the damn thing up ! I am completely new so i know nothing.! I have searched the internet for 2 days until i found this video.! I cant wait to set mine up now! Thank you for the great explanation! I also wish I could find a video for my mount :))
Thanks for the video. I also just bought the Sirius EQ-G mount. Question: if I can't see through the reticle, how will I be able to see Polaris to place it in the offset circle? Thanks, Mike
Hi Mike. You should be able to see through the Polar Scope for alignment. Note that during setup, you have to rotate the declination/optical tube to line up the holes so that you can view through the scope. This is outlined in the manual on page 6 towards the bottom: www.telescope.com/assets/product_files/instructions/29280_07-10.pdf If you have a different issue or any other questions, be sure to give us a quick call or chat: Phone: 1-800-447-1001 Email: orders@telescope.com Live Chat: www.telescope.com
@@oriontelescopes I bought the Orion Atlas eq-g equatorial goto mount. All I see through is the pattern I do not see the sky. So I cannot place polaris in the circle. Does any one know why this happens? I followed the instructions on this video and the other videos on setup, leveled pointing North, adjusted latitude for my location, but no matter what I do, I do not see polaris through the finder, I only see the pattern.
hi i have a meade 75 i live on 51 lat: i cant set this value the screws are at the max so no polaris for me this is horrible why the did this ? the bolt is to short i thing what can i do ?
Certainly, it's more accurate to sight on Polaris if your mount has a polar scope, but for a rough alignment for general visual use you can set your mount to the local latitude and point it as close to North as possible using a compass.
Hi ! I got my StarBlast 4.5 scope and I wanted to find out where is my polar , my location shown me like this Latitude=3.1667 Longitude =113.0333 So is it adjust the latitude to 3 degree ? and how am I know I am at north or south ? thank you
Hi there. Yes it looks like you would be located at a latitude of roughly 3 degrees. Since it reads as a positive number, it would indicate you're north of the equator. A negative number would indicate south of the equator.
You keep saying "pointed right at the North Pole" and similar phrases, also "if we were lucky, Polaris would be right on the North Pole". No, very much no. If Polaris would be _on the North Pole_, it would be a very bad day. Not just for Santa, but the whole of humanity! What you mean is: "pointed North along the Earth's polar axis". If the mount were aimed at the North Pole, it would be looking at the ground. A straight line between anyone not observing near the center of the Arctic, and the North Pole, would go _through the Earth._ Yes, it's a nitpick. Also yes: expressing yourself correctly matters. Especially in a scientific context.
Pretty much EVERYTHING I know about telescopes, I learned from Ken... and I've never met the man!! Thanks Ken!!
I bought some equipment from him and he's as nice in person as he is in these Orion videos.
Be happy, he is an arrogant asshole
I can probably now even mimic him :P .Jokes aside Orion makes these really good videos that I cannot thank enough.
I wish I could give you a thousand thumbs up. I can't tell you how horrible the Skywatcher EQ6R instructures are. Left out so many key things you need to do.
This is the best explanation I've seen on TH-cam. Only one that answered all my questions.
Exactly the explanation I have been searching for! Very clear and concise, giving a full understanding of how to properly align and use the polar finder scopes correctly. Will definitely have to watch more of your videos. Great job Ken!
One of the best descriptions I've seen. Thank you.
After getting a heq5 telescope mount as a retirement thingy, I have really been struggling to understand polar alignment. Thank you very much for a very clear and easy to follow description.
I find this video to give one of the best explanations on how to align your mount using the polar alignment scope. Not many people know how to explain procedures well.
Most professional teaching! Thanks a lot!
this is the best explanation about Polar Alignment... Thanks Ken !thumbs Up!
Ive had this mount for years and had such a difficult time understanding the polar aligning part of this. This helped SO MUCH! I can finally get back to using my Sirius goto mount :)
Thanks a lot!
WOW, it's 2023 and this video is still helping newbies! Thank you for explaining this procedure so clearly!!!
The most usrful and detailed Polar alignment vidro i ve seen till now in TH-cam....Really thank you .... i ve learned alot from you.
Thank you, this was the best tutorial of polar alignment on TH-cam!
EXCELLENT, Great teacher. THANK YOU.
Thank you ken .
You did a very nice job explaining this to us .
I have learned a lot form Ken! Thanks a lot for the amazing videos.
Question: Just to be clear, when you are done with your polar alignment, you return the RA back to the “home” position (CW Shaft down) before performing a 3-star alignment, correct ?
Superb. Best explanation I've seen. Do get your tripod level though.
Best I've seen on this subject!
I have had my German EQ for 4 years and never thought to rotate the ra to line up dipper and cassiopia. I instead would unscrew the polar scope up to 1 turn to get them lined up. I knew this was not ideal since the polar scope becomes a little loose and sloppy when partially unscrewed. Wish I would have seen this 4 years ago. I hate using the polar alignment scope since it is not illuminated and I cannot see the reticle markings once it is dark and polaris is visible. I try to shine a light down the polar scope to see the reticle markings but that is a pain.
Wow. Have owned the Polaris scope for a while but could not figure out the alignment process. Thanks Ken!
One of the best vids out there..
Thanks for your clear instructional videos!
I just got the eq-g pro mount never have uses this type of polar alignment scope the video explained a lot thanks
thank You for explanation, any other video on TH-cam are so Clear, grazie ciao
I have a Sirius EQ-G that has the constellation reticle. I got the Ioptron alignment app for my phone and it can be configured to show where the circle should be. Actually, I just leave the RA in the vertical position and adjust until Polaris is exactly on the big circle line at the hour angle shown by the app. I wish it had the train track reticle but this method has worked ok for me. I autoguide and can get 3 minute exposures at 1500mm with no star tracks without a problem.
Dude you rock man. Thanks for the awesome video.
Great video Ken. I wish you would have made it like five years ago. Better late than never...
Thanks, Ken! You da man!
Do have a video for aligning EQ mount with SynScan hand control
Best explanation I've seen
Thank you!
For a Skyview Pro without a Polar Scope, What are the options besides Rough alignment? Use the 1, 2 or 3 star alignment?
Is a computer-controlled mount much better than a manual 1 where I do the slewing for PA? It seems a Goto doesn't really matter once u are polar aligned, right? Well, maybe if u auto-guide?
Thankyou for being able to get my brain to absorb this piece of information at long last. Now I'm retired I've sort of rekindled my interest in what's out there. Figured I'd have a look before I become cosmic dust 🔭
I’m new to all this. Great video thanks for sharing 🙏
Excellent presentation, Ken. I always have the bad habit of thinking Polaris is at the exact same position as the North Pole. A result of wishing thinking...and casual observing when better accuracy was not needed.
excellent presentation, no fat, just meat
I just bought a polar scope that has the Big Dipper and Casseopeia on it. Can you just rotate the polar scope to align with the Big Dipper and Casseopeia rather than rotating the RA axis? Does it make a difference?
Yes, you could just rotate the polar scope instead of the entire RA axis in a pinch for a quick alignment, but it won’t be as accurate. To rotate the polar scope by itself requires that you start unthreading it from the mount. When unthreading, the polar scope will become slightly loose in the threads, leading to some excess wobble and inaccuracy. The most accurate way to polar align is by rotating the RA axis after ensuring the polar scope reticle is calibrated with the RA axis.
Can the pole star be observed after making an alignment?
How about polar to South? Thank you. Jimmy.
i just got my first telescope and mount EXO2GT and i cant figure out how to set the damn thing up ! I am completely new so i know nothing.!
I have searched the internet for 2 days until i found this video.! I cant wait to set mine up now! Thank you for the great explanation! I also wish I could find a video for my mount :))
Thanks for the video. I also just bought the Sirius EQ-G mount. Question: if I can't see through the reticle, how will I be able to see Polaris to place it in the offset circle? Thanks, Mike
Hi Mike. You should be able to see through the Polar Scope for alignment. Note that during setup, you have to rotate the declination/optical tube to line up the holes so that you can view through the scope. This is outlined in the manual on page 6 towards the bottom:
www.telescope.com/assets/product_files/instructions/29280_07-10.pdf
If you have a different issue or any other questions, be sure to give us a quick call or chat:
Phone: 1-800-447-1001
Email: orders@telescope.com
Live Chat: www.telescope.com
Have you rotated the Dec axis? It should be at a right angle to the alignment scope.
@@oriontelescopes I bought the Orion Atlas eq-g equatorial goto mount. All I see through is the pattern I do not see the sky. So I cannot place polaris in the circle. Does any one know why this happens? I followed the instructions on this video and the other videos on setup, leveled pointing North, adjusted latitude for my location, but no matter what I do, I do not see polaris through the finder, I only see the pattern.
@@roxanaruz did you take the plug out?
Thanks dude !!
hi i have a meade 75 i live on 51 lat: i cant set this value the screws are at the max so no polaris for me this is horrible why the did this ? the bolt is to short i thing what can i do ?
Do you have to use Polaris? Couldn't you just use a compass instead? (I'm not talking about for photography, just for general use.)
Certainly, it's more accurate to sight on Polaris if your mount has a polar scope, but for a rough alignment for general visual use you can set your mount to the local latitude and point it as close to North as possible using a compass.
@@oriontelescopes, Thanks! That's the method I've been using, taking declination into account. This isn't for photography.
I had to centre my polar scope reticle as it was loose and badly off centre
Hi ! I got my StarBlast 4.5 scope and I wanted to find out where is my polar , my location shown me like this
Latitude=3.1667
Longitude
=113.0333
So is it adjust the latitude to 3 degree ? and how am I know I am at north or south ? thank you
Hi there. Yes it looks like you would be located at a latitude of roughly 3 degrees. Since it reads as a positive number, it would indicate you're north of the equator. A negative number would indicate south of the equator.
Here in New Zealand, we have no pole star, so most of these vids are cool but no use to us
Hola! Si la tenemos pero su magnitud es muy débil para el ojo humano. Fotograficamente la he llegado a pescar desde un bortle 9.
You keep saying "pointed right at the North Pole" and similar phrases, also "if we were lucky, Polaris would be right on the North Pole". No, very much no. If Polaris would be _on the North Pole_, it would be a very bad day. Not just for Santa, but the whole of humanity!
What you mean is: "pointed North along the Earth's polar axis". If the mount were aimed at the North Pole, it would be looking at the ground. A straight line between anyone not observing near the center of the Arctic, and the North Pole, would go _through the Earth._
Yes, it's a nitpick. Also yes: expressing yourself correctly matters. Especially in a scientific context.
Well, say goodbye to Ken and Orion. They are out of business forever!