From: "Mel Bartels" 
To: 
Cc: "ATM List" 
Reply-To: "Mel Bartels" 


>>>
Now a proper, perfect polar alignment would solve all these problems. However I
seem to be unable to create such a thing while in the field!
<<<

Yes, that is a major drawback to the equatorial mount, especially for
portable setups.  The polar alignment is critical, since the mount
mechanically depends upon it.  Good polar alignment takes time - I would
allot an hour.  A friend of mine spends 4-6 hours aligning and 2 hrs
imaging - it's that critical - with his portable 12 inch RC.

We've tried to take some software steps to speed this up with the addition
of the Don Ware programmed polar alignment routine, but it is still a
weakness of the equatorial that its alignment is tied mechanically.

The altaz is not limited like this, and in a perfect world, is aligned and
ready for action in very little time.  The addition of a third axis in the
mount as opposed to at the focuser might be easier for we typical builders
to accomplish.

Mel Bartels

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