Star Adventurer Help Required!

[Graeme F]

Saints be praised but I've just received a replacement star adventurer!

As I don't really have much good experience using this device (my last one was 2nd hand and was not tracking at all) I would be grateful if another user could validate my proposed process and offer any advice or steps I've missed.

1. Set SA polar scope to 0 at top (12oclock position) and 6 to bottom.
2. Have 'timelapse' switch set to N ( I live in ireland)
3. Face north and eyeball polaris
4. Level the tripod and attach wedge.
5. Set wedge to my latitude ie. 53n
6. Get polaris location on reticle app
7. Look thru polarscope and using wedge screws move polaris to match what I've seen on the app
8. Tighten everything down and check polaris hasn't moved.

Is this OK? My SA had that timelapse switch set to S in the box but I presume move to N? I don't intend to do timelapse with the SA but I guess it might confuse things if left to S?

I'll be using initially a 14mm for milkyway shots but as I get hopefully better at this will try my 70-200mm etc.

Many thanks in advance

 

[JimFox]

@Graeme F That is exciting! I can't wait for you to get back out again.

I don't have a Star Adventurer, but from what I have seen from others that should work. The N is for Northern, so that's correct. The other thing that you didn't mention is make sure you are in Celestial Mode to track with the stars.

Some people take theirs for a dry run during the day to make sure the polar scope is aligned first. You find some distant object and align the scope on it through the reticle, then just rotate the axis making sure that whatever you sighted through the polar scope stays centered. I am not quite sure exactly how to adjust it if it isn't, but I know it can be adjusted.

Of course it's almost a new moon, so this is a great time to get out and try it!

 

[Yervant]

Saints be praised but I've just received a replacement star adventurer!

As I don't really have much good experience using this device (my last one was 2nd hand and was not tracking at all) I would be grateful if another user could validate my proposed process and offer any advice or steps I've missed.

1. Set SA polar scope to 0 at top (12oclock position) and 6 to bottom.
2. Have 'timelapse' switch set to N ( I live in ireland)
3. Face north and eyeball polaris
4. Level the tripod and attach wedge.
5. Set wedge to my latitude ie. 53n
6. Get polaris location on reticle app
7. Look thru polarscope and using wedge screws move polaris to match what I've seen on the app
8. Tighten everything down and check polaris hasn't moved.

Is this OK? My SA had that timelapse switch set to S in the box but I presume move to N? I don't intend to do timelapse with the SA but I guess it might confuse things if left to S?

I'll be using initially a 14mm for milkyway shots but as I get hopefully better at this will try my 70-200mm etc.

Many thanks in advance

Forget Number one. You do not need to set the polar scope to 0 at the top and and 6 at the bottom. That has nothing to do with the alignment procedure. You will just place Polaris in the correct position on the time circle on an App. What is most important is to align the polar scope to the axis. There are many Youtube videos on how to do this. (1) Martin’s Astrophotography - YouTube This gent has great videos to bring you up to speed. Once you align your polar scope to the RA correctly, when you spin the RA around, Polaris will remain on the line of your time circle. After 2-4. with your camera and lens attached or small scope, balance your RA and Dec axis. This is an important step to facilitate better tracking. Also, do not overload the tracker. That's a common mistake. Too much weight will create stress on the gears and could lead to poor tracking.

 

[Graeme F]

Thanks Yervant. I did not realise this was process. I'll try as soon as get a clearish sky to practise.

 

[JimFox]

On the SkyGuider Pro, you have to rotate it so the camera is on the bottom and the counterweight is on top, 180 from normal because that’s how the reticule in the polar scope lights up.

I am guessing the Star Adventurer is different then that.