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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).
Figure 11. iPhone display
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. SkyGuider
Adjust the mount in
latitude and azimuth
direction to place
Polaris in the same
position
on
Polar Scope Dial as
indicated on your
iPhone/iPad screen.
In this case, the
Polaris
will
located at a radius
of
40.8'
and
angle of 10 hour
24.1 minute.
If you don't have an
iPhone/iPad,
can still get a better
polar
alignment
using
programs/ software
to calculate the pole
star position.
TM
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 SkyGuider
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.
the
be
an
If you have an autoguider that has a pinout similar to ST-
i of SBIG, such as Meade/ Losmandy/ Takahashi/ Vixen,
you
make sure a proper guiding cable is used with the
SkyGuider
guiding software for detailed operation.
other
The SkyGuider
camera/scope mounting as shown below.
Additional accessories are needed for autoguiding and
dual mounting.
3. Maintenance and Servicing
3.1. Maintenance
The SkyGuider
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.
6
TM
mount is equipped with a guiding port
Figure 13. Guide port pinout
TM
mount. Refer to your guiding camera and
TM
mount is also capable of dual
Figure 14. Dual mounting
TM
equatorial mount is designed to be
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