6
southern hemisphere using Sigma Octantis.
You will need to know where Polaris is in the northern
hemisphere. You may find this information via an
iPhone/iPad app (iOptron Polar Scope in Apple iTune
store).
Shown in Figure 11 is a screen shot of an iPhone chart.
For example, on December 3, 2012, 12:48:36 in Boston,
USA (Lat N42º30’28” and Long W71º08’49”), the Polaris
Position is 10hr 24.1m and r = 40.8min (the green dot on
the chart).
Adjust the mount in
latitude and azimuth
direction to place
Polaris in the same
position on the
Polar Scope Dial as
indicated on your
iPhone/iPad screen.
In this case, the
Polaris will be
located at a radius
of 40.8’ and an
angle of 10 hour
24.1 minute.
If you don’t have an
iPhone/iPad, you
can still get a better
polar alignment
using other
programs/ software
to calculate the pole
star position.
STEP 7. Start Sky Tracking
Now you are ready to track the sky! Point the camera to
the sky you are interested in. You may also release two
DEC locking screws to rotate the DEC adapter along the
RA axis (Make sure all the screws/locks are tightened
afterwards). Select N or S (northern or southern
hemisphere) depending on your location. Select 1X
tracking speed to take photos of only the sky. Select
0.5X tracking speed to include landscape in the photo. S
and L speeds are for Solar and Lunar tracking. Double
check the polar alignment and realign it if needed. Turn
power switch on to begin tracking the sky.
Figure 12. SkyGuiderTM mount control board
Using 0.5X Speed
The 0.5X tracking speed evenly divides image blur
between the sky and foreground. With wide-angle
lenses, it can produce dramatic images of a starry sky
suspended above a landscape with everything sharp to
the eye.
Advanced Application
The SkyGuiderTM mount is equipped with a guiding port
to enable autoguiding while tracking. The guide port
wiring is shown in Figure 13, which is same as that from
Celestron / Starlight Xpress / Orion Mount / Orion
Autoguider/ QHY5 autoguider pinout.
Figure 13. Guide port pinout
If you have an autoguider that has a pinout similar to ST-
i of SBIG, such as Meade/ Losmandy/ Takahashi/ Vixen,
make sure a proper guiding cable is used with the
SkyGuiderTM mount. Refer to your guiding camera and
guiding software for detailed operation.
The SkyGuiderTM mount is also capable of dual
camera/scope mounting as shown below.
Figure 14. Dual mounting
Additional accessories are needed for autoguiding and
dual mounting.
3. Maintenance and Servicing
3.1. Maintenance
The SkyGuiderTM equatorial mount is designed to be
maintenance free. Do not overload the mount. Do not
drop the mount. This will damage the mount or degrade
the tracking accuracy permanently. Use a damp cloth to
clean the mount if necessary. Do not use solvent.
Figure 11. iPhone display