Polar Alignment with Polar Scope for the Northern Hemisphere
Preparation:
- Install the “Stellarium/Polar Scope Align Pro/Polar finder Pro” app on your phone.
- Get one MSM Polar Scope
- Attention: Only do a polar alignment after you've installed your camera to avoid possible gesture change due to adding the camera's weight.
Why Polar Scope?
- In order to do the most accurate Polar Alignment, we need the help of the Polar Scope.
- Also, in some situations, we are not allowed to use the laser pointer.
Steps to do Polar Alignment
- Install your camera and MSM Rotator as below
2. Caution: Check and Make sure your tripod is leveled.
3. Open your “Stellarium/Polar Scope Align Pro/Polar finder Pro” app to find your Polaris position, refer to the below photo.
(for example)
4. Rotate MSM Polar Scope's reticle to horizontal and 0 o'clock is up.
That's to say the 3 and 9 o'clock line is horizontal.
Reminder: The polar scope's eyepiece can be screwed in and out to adjust the focus of the reticle.
5. Adjust Rotator's gesture to put the Polaris on the same circle position as the PolarisView App
6. It's done, you can shoot now.
Know more about how to use the MSM polar scope here.
Please check the below photo for a detail explanation.
- Throughout the year, Polaris will travel around the North Celestial Pole in a circle.
- Polaris' position will change depends on the given time and location.
Hi Mark,
Please download it here from Google Play.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.watware.www.polarisview&hl=en_US
For iOS, please use this alternative app: Polar Scope Align
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/polar-scope-align/id970157965
Regards,
John
Hi Richard,
Please check this article below, first use the hole of the mount to do a rough polar alignment, then use the scope for a more precise alignment.
https://www.moveshootmove.com/blogs/astrophotography-tutorial/how-to-do-polar-alignmentThe hardest part is precisely finding Polaris thru the scope as there are many stars and is difficult to tell if you have the right one. Like trying to find 1 bird from a huge flock. To be easier if the scope was wide enough to cover both it and the Little Dipper and would somehow lock onto it from there. Any tips to make it easier therefore appreciated as I do not have a laser wand attachment
Where to download the PolarisView app??
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