I have a Samsung Galaxy S8. You may find this information via an iPhone/iPad app (iOptron Polar Scope in Apple iTune store). If you Show Package Contents and double click on the app in the MacOS folder it will connect, but there is constant screen flashing making polar alignment difficult, at best. Does the laptop need to be connected throughout shooting or can it be switched off after alignment is finished and how long will it stay aligned if I use a heavier rig with lets say a 400mm lens. Best star tracker camera mounts for astrophotography in 2023 is iPolar software available only on Windows? The first thing youll need to do is take a single dark frame for camera calibration purposes, which I did by covering the RA axis with my hand. It features a large aperture optical telescope and a computerized GoTo mount. The imaging camera in PoleMaster has a resolution of 30 arc second, so the best polar alignment that can be achieved by PoleMaster is also in the order of 30 arc seconds. The iOptron iPolar was developed because of a demand for polar alignment accuracy. Hi all, as a complete beginner, who is gradually getting some kit together, the question of which Polar Alignment App I should get for my Android phone is exercising my mind. How does autoguiding work? Then its just a matter of taking a few test shots at 20-seconds each to frame it up nice. Use it to identify stars, planets, nebulae and more. The mobile version of Stellarium is a fantastic tool to use when you are outside under the stars. EQ5 Pro - Polar alignment & Scope aligment out. But longer exposures put a higher demand on tracking accuracy and polar alignment, and thats where the iPolar comes in. I really like that this can show you the position overlaid on lots of different brands of reticles (iOptron and Losmandy for me). If you have found this review helpful, please let me know in the comments. Thanks for the additional information. 3. Features: Even a careful polar alignment routine that is slightly off will begin to negatively affect your images after about 2-minutes. Also is this a typo.62 x 40 minutes.. Or should that be 62 x 4 minutes? Great point Robin!! Hello, Which cable do you use to connect the canon camera to the ipolar? But if its your travel/quick setup rig remember that you have given up your ability to polar align the mount without software assistance. I am not sure when should I stop rotating. Check on YouTube William Optics Vixen Style Base Mount Latitude Versions info from Orion2400. A precise polar alignment can provide you with many benefits when it comes to astrophotography, including better autoguiding accuracy. | FR | IT | ES | DE | PT. you can do the same thing with software such as SharpCap or with a system like the ASIAIR using you main imaging camera to do your polar alignment so no separate alignment camera needed at all iOptron SkyGuider Pro - Frustration - Digital Photography Review By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use. It is really a great app. I've found comments on the web of experienced amateur astronomers that admitted they never had polar aligned their mount so accurately before. It works in both the northern and southern hemispheres, and comes with a selection of popular polar-scope reticles. The iPolar camera is just like the QHY PoleMaster I use on my larger equatorial mounts such as the Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro, but this one uses its own dedicated software, and was made specifically for popular iOptron mounts like the SkyGuider Pro. On 03/05/2020 at 20:32, AstroRookie said: What's the best polar alignment app for Android? There are various methods for aligning the orientation of a telescope mount with the pole, but one of the most popular A beginners guide to using a Polar Scope for Polar alignment. Before you converted did you do a polar alignment with your gear hanging on it ? In fact, I prefer the polar alignment procedure of the LighTrack II over the ones using the iOptron polar scopes. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Ive traveled to Costa Rica with this setup in my carry-on bag and set the rig up in 3-feet of snow in the backyard. Being as minimal as possible on gear/weight for trekking is important. Aside from astrophotography (including an impromptu Facebook Live stream from our balcony) my wife, Continue Reading Astrophotography in Costa Rica (Carina Nebula)Continue, Your email address will not be published. I bought the SGP with ipolar already installed and had it working in minutes linked to my MacBook Pro running V1.1 of the native MacOS software. To turn one bolt, the other has to be loosened. Use a free planetarium software such as Stellarium to help you learn the night sky and its constellations from your location on Earth. **Telescopes**https://www.firstlightoptics.com/telescopes/ref/astrolavista/ **Mounts**https://www.firstlightoptics.com/astronomy-mounts-by-type/ref/astrolavista/**Cameras/Astrophotography**https://www.firstlightoptics.com/astro-photography/ref/astrolavista/ **Eyepieces**https://www.firstlightoptics.com/eyepieces-barlows/ref/astrolavista/ **Filters**https://www.firstlightoptics.com/filters/ref/astrolavista/ **Accessories**https://www.firstlightoptics.com/accessories/ref/astrolavista/**Binoculars**https://www.firstlightoptics.com/binoculars/ref/astrolasvista/ You will be amazed. Many german equatorial mounts have a bubble level built-in. However, would it not be possible to somehow side mount a polar scope for manual polar alignment? There is a hole near the top of the body (for lining up if you don't have a polar scope) but I find this very difficult to use. Because the Polaris is not exactly coincide with the Earth's rotation axis but rotates around it, one should know the exact hour angle of the Polaris to adjust (rotate) the finder. I want to ask if you have any forum or way for people like me to consult with you directly for short advise? The goal is to collect as much signal on a specific wavelength of light as possible. Yup, you guessed it, you move your altiude and azimuth bolts until you align the red dot and cross over each other but wait, when you get close, the red dot is enlarged to help you, fab! What if I cant see Polaris from my location? Hi All, looks like my reply wasnt accurate so thanks for the updates. We'd love to hear from you! No matter how good you are at manually aligning the mount through the polar scope with your eyes, I think its safe to say a camera has got you beat. It is very similar to the following models: The Sky-Watcher HEQ5 in this example features a built-in polar scope with an illuminated reticle. The information you have provided is invaluable. This narrowband filter blocks nearly all light from hitting my camera sensor except for very specific wavelengths emitted from emission nebulae like the North America Nebula. Why is it so important? A health warning here, this software is Windows only it seems (sorry Mac users) I would love a linux version for my raspberry Pi as well please! I found this review helpful instructive and inspirational. The SynScan hand controller is now available as an app on your smart device. Hello, i really enjoyed watching your videos and im inspired. The image taken will be dark subtracted, darkened and auto plate solved (4 stars needed) you will see a red cross (your mount axis) and a red dot the virtual pole. While Im intrigued by the iPolar, Im even more interested in that red aluminum-looking alt-azi base under your SkyGuider. It is important to note that the tripod needs to be pointing North before leveling. No human interaction required when iOS devices can using location service normally.iOS users can manually enter the location when location service is unavailable. Narrow bandpass imaging requires that you collect longer exposures than you would in broadband, especially when using a color camera like a DSLR. ioptron SkyguiderproASIairipolar. The LighTrack II is easy to set up and polar align. For polar alignment, iOptron sells their app for $1.99 but I have downloaded a free app (there are some ads at the bottom) called the Polar Scope Align. Automatic Time/Location. What's the best polar alignment app for Android? For more video tutorials and astrophotography tips, please subscribe to AstroBackyard on YouTube. You may have noticed that I am using the upgraded William Optics wedge to mount the SkyGuider Pro, and this certainly makes this process a little more enjoyable. All users should download a new copy from the link below. My question for you is this: I am looking for a tracker to be able to get into astrophotography more than I already have been (photographed the Great American Solar Eclipse, attempted to capture the lunar eclipse in January; using a few different Nikon cameras-film and digital, and a 500 mm lens with 2x teleconverter), and feel the iOptron SkyGuider Pro is the correct guidance system. Polar Scope Align Pro 4+ - App Store For a complete rundown of the Canon EOS Ra, you can read my full review from January of this, Continue Reading Why I Bought the Canon EOS RaContinue, One of the most common questions I receive each day is which light pollution filter I recommend for astrophotography in the city. What is it? iPad Polar Scope Align will calculate the position of Polaris or Octantis in your Polar Scope reticle for your location (using your phone's GPS or manually), allowing a quick and accurate polar alignment. And most of all, we hope you'll enjoy the products as much as we do. Simply put, you need to make sure that your telescope mount is rotating on the exact same angle the sky turns on. No problem. You should be able to take some sharp images of at least 2-3 minutes with the 350mm FL Z61 with a sound polar alignment. ASICAP can help you control the camera to do Video recording and picture saving. So many utilities you never knew you needed. Install a VNC client app into your smartphone I like the Polar Scope Align app as it has other reticles if I ever get something else (unlikely). Polar Align Without Polaris - Good Enough for Astrophotography? If your telescope has already been attached to the mount, turning these bolts can behard. Your email address will not be published. The app is helpful to match orientation of the DSO Planner Free is an astronomy observation planning tool with excellent star charting capabilities made by active and experienced amateur observers with a passion for visual observations. It's the other way around. The application tracks and draws the position of the Polaris (or Octant) in real-time and. Being so close to the equator, the night sky featured many new southern hemisphere deep-sky targets I had never seen before. This is the official companion app for SkymemoT camera mount from Kenko. I use this gear myself but many others use the QHY PoleMaster and rate it highly too so its a matter of preference really. The final image includes 62 x 4-minute exposures for a grand total of 4 hours and 8 minutes. Thank you for the awesome, and very thorough, review of the iOptron SkyGuider Pro with iPolar! iOptron Technique for Telescope Polar Alignment - Cloudy Nights GOTOSTAR Support. Next, youll want to find the latitude and longitude coordinates for your location. Step 6. It will be interesting to see just how far backyard astrophotographers can push the SkyTracker Pro, with the added polar alignment precision the iPolar provides. PolarFinder shows you the actual of the Polaris or the Sigma Octantis using the system time and GPS Polaris is a cool mobile compass which can be used with or without Wifi/GPS. 1. You can see any stars, constellations and deep sky objects you are watching in Stellarium Mobile Sky Map is a fully-featured planetarium for your phone. Sky Map is a hand-held planetarium for your Android device. So I have to remove the sheets, adjust and put it back. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. This is an app to show the position of the Pole Star (Polaris in Northern Hemisphere, or Sigma Octantis in Southern Hemisphere) in the polar scope of all the iOptron(R) telescope/camera mounts. There are a number of tools you can use to help polar align your equatorial mount, such as: PolarFinder Mobile App SharpCap Software Polar Alignment Feature iOptron PoleMaster Electronic Polar Finder The Importance of Balance Speaking of balance, the actual balancing of the weight on top of the mount (the payload) is extremely important. Just hold up and point the device to the sky and have fun! You write: remember that you have given up your ability to polar align the mount without software assistance.. It sure looks nice until I looked a little deeper. (did you catch that in the video?). The closest function to what you ask, is if in the DSO Database you go to Sorting->Configure and press "select by pointing" - then pointing the phone to the sky and clicking "Select Point" will list the objects from the catalogs you have selected that are closest to where you are pointing. Trevor thank you for your excellent review. I must say, the iPolar experience and software felt very familiar, which isnt a bad thing considering how much I love the PoleMaster. It works indoors or outdoors. Settings: This utility helps you solve this problem by graphically showing you the current position of the Polaris. Print the polar alignment charts out beforehand and bring them with you. Im about to purchase my first tracker, and Ive chosen the SkyGuider Pro. As you get closer to being perfectly polar aligned, the red dot and cross-hair will enlarge. They recommend taking a new frame each time you Polar Align but I havent and it works just fine I tick the auto-load last dark frame option for this so I never have to worry but do always make sure I keep my IPolar protected from dust. On the Sky-Watcher HEQ5, the declination needs to be rotated 90 for a clear view through the polar scope. Wide angle view of the polar region: A wide field of view of 118 degree makes it very easy to locate the pole star. This app is targeted for amateur astronomers and astrophotographers that use a telescope with a German Equatorial you can get the calculated result to align your mount with a small error. 2022 IoAstro.com - Astronomy Automation. IPolar will take an image based on the frequency and gain you set I raise gain to 6x and take an image every 500ms which works for me. For what it's worth. Happy you like the app. A polar scope makes aligning the polar axis of this mount with the North celestial pole much easier. Polar Scope Align Pro - Scope alignment & astro tools $2.99 App Genre: Utilities Latest Version: 6.2 Released: 04/03/15 Updated 31/10/21 Ratings: 4.96 Downloads: 108 Polar Scope Align Pro is a utility app developed by Dimitrios Kechagias and available on the iOS App Store and Android Play Store. Polar Scope Align Pro is an excellent app to get the position of Polaris. First off thanks for creating this awesome community, I found many a helpful information on your website and at channel. If I travel up into Oklahoma, like the Oki-Tex Star Party (36 degrees), I need the High Latitude version. If so then use the star adventurer mini console. You simply download the iPolar software and calibrate the camera on the RA axis of the mount. When you retighten the mount axes, you can move alignment dont overtighten, just enough to hold it and I also dont over under the fixings to reduce movement when I tighten just leave them finger tight but moveable. The SynScan hand controller is now available as an app on your smart device. Get the Polar Scope Align App. The polar axis does not move when you move the telescope. You also need to set the rotation center of the mount, which can be calibrated after clicking the "clear rotation center" button on-screen. Remember to tighten the adjustment bolts and knobs when you are satisfied with theaccuracy of your placement. This will be magnetic north though so only an approximation. You may be able to crouch down and see Polaris through the polar scope reticule at this point. On the reticle the Polar star (and the Octant for the Southern hemisphere) is engraved and should be positioned over the real Polaris by turning it. Installation-iEQ/iEQ Pro mount (#3339-034), Installation-CEM120 Internal (#3339A-120), Installation-SkyGuider (non-pro) (#3339 or #3339R), Installation-AVX,CGEM,HEQ5,TK (#3339-AVX and others), Windows 7/8.1/10/11, 64 bit, with Microsoft .NET Framework 4.8 or later installed. Thank you. Polar Alignment for iOptron SkyTracker - Stargazers Lounge Using the iPolar also requires you to replace . Join StellarMate to your home WiFi network. It provides in one screen all the information needed to do this task.It also provides a polar angle with two different reticles. How to use the iOptron's iPolar software for super accurate polar alignment Astro La Vista 7.85K subscribers 30K views 2 years ago In this video we go through the simple steps involved in. I am hoping to set up mine for the Eta Aquarids this weekend if the weather permits. This method is handy if you own a Celestron mount, and Polaris is not in view. If I get 4 minute exposures, how will I deal with the light? Alignment. Android users can download PolarFinder, and iPhone users have Polar Scope Align Pro. This app is targeted for amateur astronomers and astrophotographers that use a telescope with a German Equatorial. One of the reasons I made Polar Scope Align was because the iOptron app was way off back then - it took them a few years of mucking about to even match their hand controller, it was quite bizarre (maybe they had outsourced the app?). Yes exactly. A beginners guide to using IOptrons IPolar mount add-on for Polar alignment. MacOS v1.1 and Windows V2.1 share a common new plate solving engine so are worth having. !Affiliate links for First Light Optics below. With the preview function (which is automatically visible A simple and easy to use application for determining the location of Polaris relative to the north celestial pole. I just wondering maybe I can ask for advise with what euipment i have. Set up is a breeze and can be done in 5-10mins tops and it can be carried out during those dusk hours thereby not wasting viewing/imaging time. For Polar alignment you don't really need an app, however, there's an app for Android called 'Calibration' which will clibrte your phone's accelerometer then give you a compass so you can see where 'north' is. For a more normal looking view through the camera, simply click on the RAW image button. The iOptron iPolar Polar Alignment Software. Please Note: The database has recently been updated. iEQ75 with 8406 Hand Controller. I am trying to keep everything as small and light as possible. Before you can use the IPolar camera, you need to take a dark frame click settings and the then, leaving the IPolar cap on, take a dark frame. With the polar alignment dialed-in thanks to the iPolar, I was able to shoot 4-minute exposures at ISO 1600 on the North American Nebula and surrounding area. AZ-GTiStar DiscoverySynScan AZ80)to perform multiple photographic tasks, including panorama, time-lapse or multiple-points scan. How do these compare? The graphic above portrays an example of the PolarFinder app screen, next to the view through the Sky-Watcher HEQ-5 polar scope. Powered by Invision Community. Until the iPolar, SkyGuider Pro users were left to improvise and create a custom adapter to mount a QHY PoleMaster. With the M1 chip and Mac OS Big Sur v11.6 when double clicking on the app I get the message "Cannot use iOptron iPolar". Just change the gain adjustment and exposure length until about 10 stars are detected. What did you do with it? I like to place a level on the tripod before the mount is attached and make sure it is level on each axis. PDF SkyTracker Pro Camera Mount Instruction Manual Im using the ioptron skytracker since a couple of years and with great pleasure. This is Canons latest astrophotography camera, and it has some seriously impressive specs (like a full-frame 30.3 MP astro-modified sensor). 8408 Hand Controller CEM25 Catalog Data Upgrade. Here is a look at the image I was able to capture using the iPolar for polar alignment on the iOptron SkyGuider Pro: Results using the iPolar for polar alignment of the iOptron SkyGuider Pro. You need to hook a computer up to your telescope to use a polemaster I believe. Although, as mentioned you will need to hook up a computer to the Polemaster this little camera is worth its weight in gold. You'll need to enter in the lat-long coordinates of your location, which you can easily find online or using the GPS on your phone. for the Great Red Spot and Olympus Mons: Depending on what you are doing (astrophotography for example) to accurately align to polaris, Polaris needs to be off centre in the polar scope. Should be officially released soon as foc upgrade to ASIAir app. Setup your usual location (Lat & Long) at your site by clicking the change button on the settings dialog. maybe not the answer you were expecting, but I renewed my interest in astronomy after some 15 years, and upgraded my gear. The reticle can be illuminated in a range when rotating (I would say several degrees of difference can still make it lit). It can handle up to 14 lbs of gear, which means that small refractor telescopes like the William Optics RedCat 51 are no problem for the SkyGuider Pro. This app helps you to align your equatorial telescope mount toward the celestial pole at daytime.But you know it does not guarantee high-precision adjustment.When the white circle is the center of target, the surface of your device is toward the Vor dem Alignement des Teleskops mssen zunchst Uhrzeit und Position genau eingestellt werden. The app is free, no contributions or ads and I have several upgrades already in the queue. If you are setting up during the day, a compass will do the trick. All of the telescope mounts on the list above include a polar alignment scope (depending on the version you order), with the exception of the Celestron CGEM. This application allows you to carry out a precise stationing of the mount also excellent for astrophotographers and works in both celestial poles. I rather not have to pay for an app but if the iOptron app is more precise, $2 isn't going to kill me. During shooting? Developers can show information here about how their app collects and uses your data. Note: A mount with a built-in Wi-Fi module must be used, Every night you repeat the same operations to set up your mount. I attempted this process at the early onset of dusk, and found that I had better results waiting until it got a little darker. That being said do you have any advice for choosing between the two? You can control the all ASI USB 3.0 cameras as well as mini series cameras and selected DSLRs, an equatorial mount to GoTo and Guiding, Focusing with ZWO EAF, capture with your phone or tablet when connected to mPolemaster is a software for aligning the polar axis mounted on the mobile phone. Polar Scope Make sure your polar alignment is correct. - Does my mount level? I show how t Polar Alignment App Part 1 of 2 -. To get closer to your objects, fit a longer, heavier lens. We'd love to hear from you! Your email address will not be published. These compact little mounts can rotate along with the night sky for long-exposure astrophotography, but they must be polar aligned accurately to work properly. The altitude adjustment bolts can be a little difficult to get the hang of. The QHY PoleMaster is a high-precision electronic polar alignment scope. Use the two outer stars in the bowl of the Big Dipper to help you locate Polaris. Ever wondered what objects are up in the sky? If I travel to South Texas, say the Texas Star Party (29 degrees), I need the low latitude version. I would like a setup that can function without a counter weight if possible. Now, Stellarium and Polar Scope Align both calculate the effect of atmospheric refraction, so they will give you a different position from the most simplistic apps (the lower your Latitude, the lower Polaris will be shown lower - for an inverted reticle), so you are not to compare it with those, although if they are correct, at the 6/12 hour mark The best aid for this is to use a polar finder scope with a reticle. Today we're proud to provide quality products direct to your doorstep through an experience you'll enjoy. Polar alignment doesnt just help you take better images, its absolutely imperative for success. If you do not have a mobile device or internet connection where you are setting up your telescope, you can try Polar FinderScope software online. Now, I am not overly technically sound, so it was a bit unnerving to open the SkyGuider up with a screwdriver. Trevor, are you able to CHECK the polar alignment after you disconnect the cable? Map iOS How to polar align a star tracker mount - BBC Sky at Night Magazine It comes with a USB cable to connect the iPolar to your Windows PC, and the polar alignment is done with using the on-screen instructions of the software. Or another? I rather not have to pay for an app but if the iOptron app is more precise, $2 isn't going to kill me. Polar alignment of telescope iOptron Gem28 mount using - YouTube You can get a pretty good polar alignment with this in the middle of the day or night. A mobile app such as PolarFinder will tell you the exact spot to position the North Star for a near-perfect polar alignment. There are IOS and Android apps that tell you where to position Polaris on the iOptron reticule. 10 chart . These are unguided sub exposures at 250mm (thats actually 400mm when you factor in the 1.6x crop factor). I see you have what appears to be the William Optics wedge, rather than the OEM wedge from iOptron. Running, cycling, gym, walking, dancing Choose your favorite activity from 100+ sport profiles and start reaching your Light Pollution Map allows you to easily locate dark sites where the sky will not be affected by light pollution, allowing the best observance, star gazing, and photography of the night sky!