I have been bum fuzzled and frustrated since I purchased this tracker for this exact reason. This piece is not mentioned in the manual. You are the best Kamil!! Thank you so much
Oh dude. I've been scratching my head and a few other bits trying to find how to align the ascension axis back to its home position. I was looking all over the scope trying to find a reference point and just now, thanks to your video, found that elusive little notch. Thanks a bunch! Clear skies to all!
Thank you for this video. The tracker has been driving me to drink since I got it. You are the man. I couldn’t figure out why they didn’t make a way for you to use the red illuminator after you had all the equipment on.
I had my first go with SA2 tonight. Spent an hour shooting bias/flats/darks, it then took me well over an hour to set up/line up polaris. Then the clouds rolled in.... jeeez man! Another super video BTW!
I’ve just bought a used star adventurer pro pack to dip my toes in Astro with my Sony A7iii. I’m currently binge watching your channel and absorbing soooo much info! Thanks for making this learning process fun!
I've had the Star Adventurer pro for 4 years now and never knew what that stupid little plastic ring was for until now 😆 Gotta go see if it's even still in the box, because I've been befuddled by the same issue of struggling to realign after everything is mounted. Sigh. Thank you for the helpful video!
that was extremely informative! i'm glad we got a star adventurer owner who knows the way around this tracker and shares the knowledge with the masses! top man!
This is why it makes more sense to just do a coarse polar alignment first, then add everything, find your target, THEN do a fine polar adjustment as the very last step!
Thank you Kamil! I’ve been wondering how to deal with this issue and your video popped up in my feed! I’ve watched it twice and know what I’m doing. Now I need some clear skies! You rock!
Amazing video! I’ve only had mine out once and couldn’t figure out how to do this! Such a simple solution. I don’t remember seeing this in the manual. Love the videos. So helpful.
Oh that’s what little plastic piece was for! Awesome video, I didn’t know how to do this before. The app method looks great, I’ll try it when I’m out next :)
I'm learning a lot from watching your videos. Thanks for the excellent information. You help clear up a lot of details that help make this less frustrating.
This was so helpful I actually just got mine and was out shooting for the first time last night and I didn't have those base screws after my ALT Azimuth adjustment
My experience is that the biggest alignment error is caused by eq base and especially those original washers under left and right bolts. Changing those to normal metal washers changes flexibility a lot.
Oooohhh man! Now I get it. I was wondering what the hell that was. Someone please tell @astrobackyard he was pretty bummed out that you couldn’t align the gear with the dovetail on.
Awesome thank you! I switched to a sturdier tripod and only noticed how inaccurate alignment was over time. The older tripod had a tiny bit of movement and was masking the inaccuracy I believe.
Loved the inserted info about how to see the rotated reticle in an app while you are imaging a target to double check where Polaris should be on the now rotated reticle. I'm an Android gal and the PolarAligner Pro (Astro Tool) app by Kechkoindustries allows you to enter the time shown where the line between 10 and 11 on the date graduation circle lines up with the time graduation circle into the app and it rotates the reticle to match how it looks through the polar scope. I knew if Polaris was staying along the circle in the reticle that I was fine, but now I can get the reticle to rotate using the app to see exactly where Polaris should be while I'm doing a Milky Way panorama or photographing Orion at 135mm or something and want to quickly double check my PA. Thanks for that!
Hi Cheryl, this info is very interesting about entering the time to move the reticle for us android users :). Can you confirm where and or how you do this is in the app please. Much Appreciated
~7:26 : the outer graduation ring (0H to 24H) is the hour angle, and never turns. Beware : it is NOT the right ascension ! The other is the date graduation. If you want to target a celestial object easily after a correct polar alignment, first put the objective in the "home position" (objective targeting the celestial pole and counterweights down). Then turn the date graduation so its "0" points to 06H of the hour angle graduation, that "0" on the date graduation will be your index for hour angle, don't touch it anymore during your session, it will be your best friend ! (for the northern hemisphere, 18H for the southern hemisphere but no luck for them because graduations don't exist for them, they should be in the other direction, SW did not make that properly...) After that, find the hour angle of the desired celestial object (in Stellarium for example) and turn the mount to the hour angle given by Stellarium if it is between 0H and 12H or subtract 12H mentally if it is between 12H and 24H. Then turn the declination to the target (West if real hour angle is between 0H and 12H, East if real hour angle is between 12H and 24H). Moving the objective through the celestial pole adds (West => East) or subtarcts (East => West) 12H to the hour angle.
I found this video from you extremely helpful and thanks for sharing all these great tips. You always learn something new with products you bought. I can tell you really like this star adventurer and you passing on these tips you've learned will help others. This next few months I have targets to photograph and one of them is the very famous Horse head nebula and then there is M42 I must photograph. Paid app seems way better and more useful which I'll be getting. One object I'm planning on photographing is the very famous M16 eagle nebula so famous now thanks to the Hubble space telescope Pillars of creation! I'm glad I bought the pro pack. Any suggestions on light pollution filters for my Canon 700D? I live in Bortle 6 skies which is too much light pollution. Keep up these great videos full of great tips and information!!!
Thanks! The only experience I have with filters is the Astronomik CLS - about which I made a few videos here and I'd generally recommend it. I've also heard that Optolong L-eXtreme is amazing but I'm not sure if you don't need a telescope for that one. Check out my videos about the CLS if you're interested here: ruclips.net/p/PLhcLuyCBPpaXNt_sUdKktqoBXqnpxkM7g
Hello Kamil, I enjoy all of your videos, not just the ones on the SWSA. Perhaps I missed it in all the favorable comments below, but is there an Android equivalent to the Polar Scope Align Pro app? I dont see it in the Play Store. Thanks in advance!
Thanks for a great video to explain how to properly set it up, have noticed though that the other night, whilst setting it up and double checking as described, the dial between 10 and 11 wasn’t actually on the scale at all, it was below the no 7 on the time scale..is there a special way to calculate the position to enter into ps pro align app to accurately check position... keep up the great content m8 👍
Thanks. I appreciate the tips. I'm a SAP user (just got the 2i as a replacement because I love timelapse). I try using a 420/72mm refractor and I assume this is pretty much the limit of weight for the system. I've had hit or miss on deeper sky, but when I get it good, it makes all the difference. For long focal, any tips are welcome. 😁
It's called SAM CONSOLE, the icon is of the tracker with blue wifi bars in the upper left......... play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.skywatcher.samini
hello i am currently check my polaris in PolarFinder and the SAM console app too . but in the polar finder the polaris is not on the middle line. does the polaris allways have to stand on the middle circle any cost? or maybe the polar Finder show me not to put it on the line cuz its do a smaller circle for where i stand
Setting to the zero against the 'knotch' is only valid if your longitude is divisible by 15°. The reason being is the indicator that covers 20°E to 20°W is an offset to your local time zone meridian. To calibrate it properly subtract your longitude from your time zone meridian. If the result is negative The offset of the absolute value to the East. If positive, it's to the West. This principle is explained on page 23 of the Star Adventurer manual. Also it is handy to for adjusting to day light saving time. Adding one hour is the same as adding 15° West.
Witaj Kamil Robisz świetne filmiki Wszystko klarownie omówione. Brawo. Odgrzewam temat gdyż probuję ogarnąć star adventurer. U mnie nie mogę obrócić tej tarczy podziałki czasu ręcznie jak tylko przez sprzęgło i nie bardzo wiem co mam zrobić
That you so much KAMIL... I just got mine today!!! I'll try to try it out Next Thursday since We'll have NEW MOON. I appreciate your videos bro! Question.. .I've heard about using a GREEN LASER to speed up.. can you try it and do a short video about it? it sounds insteresting I saw that tip from Eric Benedetti in Aaron Kings Channel. I think I'll try it out to see how easy it is.
Honestly if you’re on northern hemisphere and need to sight Polaris I don’t feel it’s necessary. But if you have troubles finding it then sure, a laser might help - just be careful not to accidentally point it at people!
Good video. Though POLAR SCOPE ALIGN PRO isn't good if you don't have perfect eyes. At least on Android, you can't enlarge the clock image by pinching, and the clock is too small to read easily. I use Polar Clock app, which is free, and has a clock that is bigger, so it's easy to see detail.
Hey Kamil, I love your work buddy well done. I'm not sure if this has been covered but do you have any information/specs/recommendations in relating to adding a 90° eyepiece for the Sky-Watcher STAR ADVENTURER for polar alignment. I think it would help to lower the tripod to the ground and also for people that have trouble kneeling/bending for too long. Thx again, I love your work. Cheers
Thanks Stan! No, I haven’t talked about this yet but I’ve been meaning to get one of these eyepieces for a while now and as soon as I do I will definitely make a video about it so stay tuned!
I use a video tripod, crank up the center column to do the alignment while I stand, then lower and secure it after alignment. So far no problems I can see...... www.flickr.com/photos/66741282@N04/
1pcmedic interesting 🤔 , with short focal lengths this might work. Have you tried this method with a longer focal lengths let’s say 200mm or higher my feeling is that you’d lose polar alignment? Nice pics BTW👍🏻
@@13stanm I only got my Star tracker Aug 13th. The last time I was out and setup it went down to 24 degrees F so I cannot say. I hope to be/know better by the summer of 2021 then test it with a 250mm lens. Thanks for the thumbs up on the pics. Anything before Aug 13th were short exposures with high ISO, if you zoom in there is slight star trailing.
Hi Kamil. I’m curious, you’re using a Canon Rebel T3i but the SA manual does not list this camera. Can you tell me what cable you’re using to connect it. Great tutorials by the way 👍👍👍
Hey Damian! Actually I don’t connect my camera to the SA at all. I just connect my camera to an external intervalometer and use that to shoot images. What’s the shutter release socket on the T3i? Is it a micro jack (2,5mm)?
Hey Kamil. Thank You for your prompt response. I don’t actually have the t3i but am in the market for a budget Canon DSLR. I was considering the t3i because there is one close buy, BUT it wasn’t listed in the SA manual as a compatible camera. I’ll probably go to a 700D or a 60D. Thank you so much again. One more thing though if I may... I got a bit lost with your ‘edit’ of not loosing target while checking PA. Putting the Zero on the dial to between 10 & 11, is that supposed to be relevant to the time of day? Or is it between 10 & 11 no matter what? Thanks again Kamil. Have a wonderful day and stay safe 👍
So, like many who've commented, I have the SWSA and my gods I just can not get the alignment down... Anything over 20 seconds or so of exposure and i start seeing trails..
I know this is an old video, but setting October 31st to the time graduation dial to the RA angle based on the polar align pro app is NOT accurate. The further away you get from 12am the less accurate it will be. The reason for this is because the time graduation dial is based on solar time, not sidereal time (those dials are so you can polar align without using an app). They are slightly different. Because stars move across the sky faster than the sun, the distance from 6pm to 6am on the time graduation dial is greater than 180 degrees. Since Right Ascension (and similarly, hour angle) is based on a 360 degree circle (not the 361ish degrees of a synodic day), the time graduation dial will be inaccurate near 6pm and 6am. If you look closely at the time graduation dial of the star adventurer, you will see the line from 6pm to 6am does not go through the RA axis--it actually goes slightly below it, meaning the angle is more than 180 degrees. The most correct way to use the RA angle of that app is to use the information from your manual goto technique. What you will do is note the hour angle of 10/31 in your goto information, and subtract that from the hour angle of the object you have framed. Set the RA in the app to that. This will rotate the polar scope by the correct amount. Again, do not set 10/31 to the time on the time graduation circle and use that as the RA angle in the app. That will not yield accurate results unless you're pretty close to your home position (10/31 at midnight).
Kamil, when using the Polar Scope Align Pro app, you indicate that we should set our Time Meridian Indicator to zero. Is it not necessary to offset our Time Meridian Indicator to match our longitude when using this app? I think a lot of people use these apps to polar align, but have you ever tried the method where you simply look at your watch and turn the dials to the current month, day and hour and look through the scope and align Polaris to the 6 o'clock position? The only extra step required for this non-app method is that you have to offset your Time Meridian Indicator which means you have to know how many degrees east or west of the standard meridian that you are. But it is relatively trivial to look this up. For me, I know that I am 2 degrees west of the prime meridian of my time zone, so I offset my Time Meridian Indicator to West 2 degrees. My question for you is whether that offset is needed when using the app? Also, I have found that my SA is not in the same position as yours when I turn to Midnight, Oct 31. My reticle is in the same position, but my RA bracket is not. At any rate, when I turn to my target, there are times when the Oct 31 mark is on the bottom half of the Time Graduation Dial, so there is no way to calculate the Hour Angle offset in this case. I guess the solution would be to unmount the declination bracket and rotate the RA bracket 180 degrees and then reattach the declination bracket and start over?
My scope isn’t oriented correctly. 12 isn’t at top 6 isn’t at the bottom. I’ve read the pdf file you posted and don’t understand. I had to sent one sky tracker back already because I couldn’t align it. Now I am on my second one. Can you make a video showing you calibrate it please? I’ll become a patreon if you do. Thank you
Hola Kamil, veo todos tus videos pero soy de España y al no poder poner subtitulos, no entiendo bien lo que dices para solucionar éste problema. Me podrías indicar escrito por aquí que debo apretar o aflojar para arreglarlo?
Część. Fajnie byłoby jakbyś zrobił filmik o kalibracji lunetki zamiast wklejać manual ;) Dzisiaj miałem z tym duży problem mimo że miałem instrukcje w ręku, ze względu na ruchomą soczewkę z gwintem i zbytnie poluzowanie soczewki pod spodem - z podziałką... Ehhh... 2h z życia wzięte :P Ciągle nie wiem czy jest ok, ale 2 "O-ringi" chyba zrobiły robotę. Czekam na czyste niebo żeby sprawdzić ;) Pozdrawiam :)
Thanks Kamil, great videos - appreciate all the guidance. Can i ask, how would you use the app in the Southern Hemisphere (based in Australia) what should i be looking for?
There should be a hemisphere switcher in that app but basically instead of Polaris you’re gonna need to point somewhere near Octans. There is no star so close to SCP as Polaris is to NCP.
I have a question which I don’t believe you have mention. I may have missed it. So deep space or even MW. The cluch lock???? Once aligned balanced and pointed camera in the direction. Does the clutch need to be tightened or not when I use??
I saw people recommending PolarFinder app play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.techhead.polarfinder&hl=en but I’m not certain if it has this functionality
Great video as usual. I am an avid follower of your channel. I was scratching my head as to how perfectly polar align after mounting my equipment. I was doing the method 1 but the method 2 seem to be pretty easy without hassle. Is there a version for polar scope alignment pro for Android ?
Hey, maybe I missed something but from what point do I have to use the counter weight? I have a regular metal ballhead, a Nikon D500 and a Sigma 18-35 1.8. Altogether it should be around 2 kg.
With that setup you should be fine just using the ballhead mount witg no counterweight. It’s only really needed for balance, not like above some payload threshold. In general it’s needed for long lenses like 70-200mm or longer
Kamil, When I line up reticle it is off by about 20 degrees. I need to adjust it but uncertain as to which allen screw to loosen to adjust it properly. Any advice? David
Hi Kamil; great video as always. I read online a tip for polar alignment that I not sure is right if you could comment on? Basically when polar aligning, get polaris exactly on the 12 o'clock position in the reticle then adjust using screws so that polaris then moves to the 6 o'clock position. At that stage you are polar aligned. I'm not sure this right - any comments?
Really helpful! Finally got my star adventurer this week! Is the polar scope align pro app also available on android? Or is there an equivalent app that also shows where polaris should be when the polar scope is turned?
Unfortunately I don’t have any experience with android but there should definitely be an app out there with this feature. I can’t believe that Sky-Watcher didn’t implement it in their SAM Console app - it’s so simple, but yet so helpful!
I have the Star Adventurer 2i Pro. I've seen multiple ads on using the iPolar electronic polar alignment scope and it being "compatible" with the Star Adventurer. After many searches I am NOT seeing anything on how to attach the iPolar scope to the Star Adventurer... Help please. Can anyone advise me on how it's done or direct me to the method?
Well shit, i wondered what this little plastic part was for, i would have never figured it out, thank you for sharing. I hate the SA, it was the most frustrating experience learning how to use it properly. I would love to spend my time capturing the data, not fiddling with gear.
For rotated reticle, how do you read what is the offset in hours? The scale only goes from 7-17. What to do when Oct 31 is aligned before 7 or after 17 marking ?
Still utterly confused. Because everyone has a different explanation. And you can move the date and time dials independent of the tracker. So how do you accurately calibrate these two dials? And what is the purpose of the E/W GMT longitudinal correction scale?
Hi, Kamil - Thanks for this informative video! I have an Android phone, and the Polar Scope Align Pro app is apparently not available on Android. There are a few others that are similar, but I couldn't find one which has the feature you described. Also, one constructive suggestion - perhaps have a bit less coffee before making these videos...you speak a bit quickly. I had no problem following you but some others might have to rewind you a few times :-)
Thanks for the suggestion 😅 - anyway I heard that the „PolarFinder” is a good option for Android but I don’t have an Android device to test it and thus I’m not certain if it has this feature. You can check that one out!
So you initially line up the 0 on the date dial with the day you are shooting? So if September the 20th, you'd line up the 0 to the with the 9th (September) to the zero at the top, then 10 notches on (1 notch is 2 days) or am I way off? Can you do a more in depth video on just this bit? Ta. *Polar scope align pro isn't on android either. Any recommendations for android, or websites for it?
Check out this link for details about those date/time dials: nightskypix.com/skywatcher-star-adventurer-pro-setup-and-user-guide/#Unassisted_Polar_Alignment_Using_the_Star_Adventurers_Graduated_Scales_For_Deep_Sky_Astrophotography
hi Kamil, sorry this is not relevant to your video but for DSLR imaging, do you find it's useful to purchase also a red dot finder scope, mounted to camera? im wondering if will be worth to order one as i do not have go-to mount. thanks!
I don’t have neither go-to nor the red dot finder and I can manage to find what I need. But it can be a challenge. A red dot might help a lot especially at the beginning!
Your videos have been great at helping me in my journey. I do have a question. While trying to shoot Orion at my location, once I use your method to polar align, I then slew to my target. Now I want to check my accuracy and fine tune using PS Align Pro app. But when I rotate and line up my target, look between the 10&11 to record the time, it's left of 7 and there are no more lines. What do I do in this situation?
so last night i was out side with my sa and i used my phone and the sky map app and gave it a *rough poloar alignment * how reliable is a rough polar alignment by pointing your phone thru the poloar scope to roughly point it at polaris and if i turn on *tracking * will it track doing it this method ?
Rough alignment will give less star trails than no alignment at all. You might not notice any trailing for 5 to 10 second exposures at all. Also make sure you set the N/S SWITCH properly or you will create star trails even when properly aligned because you will be turning against the stars....🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Why not mount your DEC bracket and camera and scope before polar aligning? I dont see why anyone would PA before as simply putting that stuff on after will knock you out of PA for sure and you'll have to recheck it anyways.
If your PA od WAAY off then you need to lift the tripod and position it rotated a bit, then level it again etc. that can be cumbersome with all this stuff already mounted. But sure you can PA coarsly, then mount everything and then PA precisely (with the scope, app etc)
Actually, the gear on the wedge on the Star Adventurer Pro 2 is 100% metal! There is no plastic on the wedge. I guess this must be an upgrade from the older Star Adventurer!
![Oasis - Oasis Live '25 [Official Trailer]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/gol_JnuEtKM/mqdefault.jpg)
I have been bum fuzzled and frustrated since I purchased this tracker for this exact reason. This piece is not mentioned in the manual. You are the best Kamil!! Thank you so much
Glad I could help!!
Same situation i have im tired with this device 😤😤😤😤😞😞😞
Oh dude. I've been scratching my head and a few other bits trying to find how to align the ascension axis back to its home position. I was looking all over the scope trying to find a reference point and just now, thanks to your video, found that elusive little notch. Thanks a bunch! Clear skies to all!
You're a very good instructor, Kamil. I learned a bunch of new facts, thank you!
Thank you for this video. The tracker has been driving me to drink since I got it. You are the man. I couldn’t figure out why they didn’t make a way for you to use the red illuminator after you had all the equipment on.
I had my first go with SA2 tonight. Spent an hour shooting bias/flats/darks, it then took me well over an hour to set up/line up polaris. Then the clouds rolled in.... jeeez man! Another super video BTW!
I’ve just bought a used star adventurer pro pack to dip my toes in Astro with my Sony A7iii. I’m currently binge watching your channel and absorbing soooo much info! Thanks for making this learning process fun!
Thank you Gavin that means a lot to me!
I've had the Star Adventurer pro for 4 years now and never knew what that stupid little plastic ring was for until now 😆 Gotta go see if it's even still in the box, because I've been befuddled by the same issue of struggling to realign after everything is mounted. Sigh. Thank you for the helpful video!
that was extremely informative! i'm glad we got a star adventurer owner who knows the way around this tracker and shares the knowledge with the masses! top man!
Thanks Dave!!
This is why it makes more sense to just do a coarse polar alignment first, then add everything, find your target, THEN do a fine polar adjustment as the very last step!
Thank you Kamil! I’ve been wondering how to deal with this issue and your video popped up in my feed! I’ve watched it twice and know what I’m doing. Now I need some clear skies! You rock!
Thanks!! 👌 amazing how youtube sometimes suggests EXACTLY what we’re looking for 😀
Thank you. Your video's are very helpful.
Amazing video! I’ve only had mine out once and couldn’t figure out how to do this! Such a simple solution. I don’t remember seeing this in the manual. Love the videos. So helpful.
Thank you! I’m glad you found it helpful 😊
Gold and better than any video by Sky Watcher
Best job describing the little things that make polar alignment work with the Sky watcher star adventurer. Thank you!
Oh that’s what little plastic piece was for! Awesome video, I didn’t know how to do this before. The app method looks great, I’ll try it when I’m out next :)
This video is insanely helpful, thank you!
Always love your explanation. I have learned so much.
Absolutely brilliant Kamil! This video has solved a couple of problems which have plagued me ever since I got my star adventurer.
I'm glad it helped!
Thank you! This was very helpful. I just started using the Star Adventurer and ran into this exact problem.
You’re welcome!
THANK YOU I was struggling with the aspect of how to frame my target after polar align and this video helped. You earned a sub.
Absolutely brilliant video Kamil , thanks for posting you've answered so many questions.
I'm learning a lot from watching your videos. Thanks for the excellent information. You help clear up a lot of details that help make this less frustrating.
Thanks Jeffrey!
Aha! So that's what that piece is for! Outstanding! Another problem solved :)
Yes, i've always wondered how the hell to use those dials! Goood stuff. thanks!
Enormously helpful video, thanks so much.
This was so helpful I actually just got mine and was out shooting for the first time last night and I didn't have those base screws after my ALT Azimuth adjustment
this was exactly the video i was looking for!!!
This is sweet. It makes me wanna switch from the iOptron SGP to the SWSA just based on the fact it seems far more intuitive for DSO than the SGP.
Great video, I set mine up for the first time the other night (finally clear) and I nailed it, very happy with myself, stars are round, no trails. 😝
The Polar Scope Alignment tool looks good.
My experience is that the biggest alignment error is caused by eq base and especially those original washers under left and right bolts. Changing those to normal metal washers changes flexibility a lot.
Thank you Kamil. Excellent videos. I have been struggling with the fine tuning with little success. Can't wait to try out your suggestions!
Thanks! I’m happy you like them 😊
been wondering what that dohickey was for since getting the Star Adventurer!!!! Thank you!!!!
Oooohhh man! Now I get it. I was wondering what the hell that was. Someone please tell @astrobackyard he was pretty bummed out that you couldn’t align the gear with the dovetail on.
Awesome thank you! I switched to a sturdier tripod and only noticed how inaccurate alignment was over time. The older tripod had a tiny bit of movement and was masking the inaccuracy I believe.
Yeah I agree 100%
Great video Kamil! Perfect! 👍🏻👍🏻
Thanks!
Loved the inserted info about how to see the rotated reticle in an app while you are imaging a target to double check where Polaris should be on the now rotated reticle. I'm an Android gal and the PolarAligner Pro (Astro Tool) app by Kechkoindustries allows you to enter the time shown where the line between 10 and 11 on the date graduation circle lines up with the time graduation circle into the app and it rotates the reticle to match how it looks through the polar scope. I knew if Polaris was staying along the circle in the reticle that I was fine, but now I can get the reticle to rotate using the app to see exactly where Polaris should be while I'm doing a Milky Way panorama or photographing Orion at 135mm or something and want to quickly double check my PA. Thanks for that!
Hi Cheryl, this info is very interesting about entering the time to move the reticle for us android users :). Can you confirm where and or how you do this is in the app please. Much Appreciated
great tutorial,
SO HELPFULL!!!!!!! Thank you
~7:26 : the outer graduation ring (0H to 24H) is the hour angle, and never turns. Beware : it is NOT the right ascension !
The other is the date graduation.
If you want to target a celestial object easily after a correct polar alignment, first put the objective in the "home position" (objective targeting the celestial pole and counterweights down).
Then turn the date graduation so its "0" points to 06H of the hour angle graduation, that "0" on the date graduation will be your index for hour angle, don't touch it anymore during your session, it will be your best friend ! (for the northern hemisphere, 18H for the southern hemisphere but no luck for them because graduations don't exist for them, they should be in the other direction, SW did not make that properly...)
After that, find the hour angle of the desired celestial object (in Stellarium for example) and turn the mount to the hour angle given by Stellarium if it is between 0H and 12H or subtract 12H mentally if it is between 12H and 24H. Then turn the declination to the target (West if real hour angle is between 0H and 12H, East if real hour angle is between 12H and 24H). Moving the objective through the celestial pole adds (West => East) or subtarcts (East => West) 12H to the hour angle.
I found this video from you extremely helpful and thanks for sharing all these great tips. You always learn something new with products you bought. I can tell you really like this star adventurer and you passing on these tips you've learned will help others. This next few months I have targets to photograph and one of them is the very famous Horse head nebula and then there is M42 I must photograph. Paid app seems way better and more useful which I'll be getting. One object I'm planning on photographing is the very famous M16 eagle nebula so famous now thanks to the Hubble space telescope Pillars of creation! I'm glad I bought the pro pack. Any suggestions on light pollution filters for my Canon 700D? I live in Bortle 6 skies which is too much light pollution. Keep up these great videos full of great tips and information!!!
Thanks! The only experience I have with filters is the Astronomik CLS - about which I made a few videos here and I'd generally recommend it. I've also heard that Optolong L-eXtreme is amazing but I'm not sure if you don't need a telescope for that one. Check out my videos about the CLS if you're interested here: ruclips.net/p/PLhcLuyCBPpaXNt_sUdKktqoBXqnpxkM7g
Very helpful, thank you!
Awesome, tnx a lot!
Hello Kamil, I enjoy all of your videos, not just the ones on the SWSA. Perhaps I missed it in all the favorable comments below, but is there an Android equivalent to the Polar Scope Align Pro app? I dont see it in the Play Store. Thanks in advance!
Thanks for a great video to explain how to properly set it up, have noticed though that the other night, whilst setting it up and double checking as described, the dial between 10 and 11 wasn’t actually on the scale at all, it was below the no 7 on the time scale..is there a special way to calculate the position to enter into ps pro align app to accurately check position... keep up the great content m8 👍
Muy bien, very good video
Thanks. I appreciate the tips. I'm a SAP user (just got the 2i as a replacement because I love timelapse). I try using a 420/72mm refractor and I assume this is pretty much the limit of weight for the system. I've had hit or miss on deeper sky, but when I get it good, it makes all the difference. For long focal, any tips are welcome. 😁
The 72ED is on my wishlist and from what I researched it is indeed pretty much the weight limit for SA
@@kamilkp got this the other day. That's on a T7i with very little post crop. photos.app.goo.gl/k2u3xrZtbhY36Frv8
PS Align Pro isn't available on Android. Does anyone know of a similar app that can show where Polaris needs to be on the polar scope off-angle?
You find any solutions? Wondering the same thing
Great video, appreciate your tips and tricks !
Unfortunatly Polar align Scope Pro ... is an IOS APP no Android app like this ?
Should we turn on the tracker when we do Polaris alignment ? Thank you!
Would anyone know which android app would do that too ? Thanks :)
It's called SAM CONSOLE, the icon is of the tracker with blue wifi bars in the upper left......... play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.skywatcher.samini
@@1pcmedic You can't do the PA after targeting with this app :/
@@grimnismal8377 Why not?
hello i am currently check my polaris in PolarFinder and the SAM console app too . but in the polar finder the polaris is not on the middle line. does the polaris allways have to stand on the middle circle any cost? or maybe the polar Finder show me not to put it on the line cuz its do a smaller circle for where i stand
Setting to the zero against the 'knotch' is only valid if your longitude is divisible by 15°. The reason being is the indicator that covers 20°E to 20°W is an offset to your local time zone meridian.
To calibrate it properly subtract your longitude from your time zone meridian. If the result is negative The offset of the absolute value to the East. If positive, it's to the West.
This principle is explained on page 23 of the Star Adventurer manual.
Also it is handy to for adjusting to day light saving time. Adding one hour is the same as adding 15° West.
Hi Kamil, how would one accomplish this in the Southern Hemisphere?
Witaj Kamil Robisz świetne filmiki Wszystko klarownie omówione. Brawo. Odgrzewam temat gdyż probuję ogarnąć star adventurer. U mnie nie mogę obrócić tej tarczy podziałki czasu ręcznie jak tylko przez sprzęgło i nie bardzo wiem co mam zrobić
That you so much KAMIL... I just got mine today!!! I'll try to try it
out Next Thursday since We'll have NEW MOON. I appreciate your videos bro! Question.. .I've heard about using a GREEN LASER to speed up.. can you try it and do a short video about it? it sounds insteresting I saw that tip from Eric Benedetti in Aaron Kings Channel. I think I'll try it out to see how easy it is.
Honestly if you’re on northern hemisphere and need to sight Polaris I don’t feel it’s necessary. But if you have troubles finding it then sure, a laser might help - just be careful not to accidentally point it at people!
@@kamilkp Thank you very much for your help, keep on being awesome! and keep up those great videos!
@@kamilkp Or an airplane...........
Witam mam pytanie czy jest gdzieś na kanale dostępny taki poradnik po Polsku
Good video. Though POLAR SCOPE ALIGN PRO isn't good if you don't have perfect eyes. At least on Android, you can't enlarge the clock image by pinching, and the clock is too small to read easily. I use Polar Clock app, which is free, and has a clock that is bigger, so it's easy to see detail.
Hey Kamil, I love your work buddy well done. I'm not sure if this has been covered but do you have any information/specs/recommendations in relating to adding a 90° eyepiece for the Sky-Watcher STAR ADVENTURER for polar alignment. I think it would help to lower the tripod to the ground and also for people that have trouble kneeling/bending for too long. Thx again, I love your work. Cheers
Thanks Stan! No, I haven’t talked about this yet but I’ve been meaning to get one of these eyepieces for a while now and as soon as I do I will definitely make a video about it so stay tuned!
Kamil Pekala that would be awesome thx 🙏 : I just found this from Sky Watcher SWA-90POLARFIND
I use a video tripod, crank up the center column to do the alignment while I stand, then lower and secure it after alignment. So far no problems I can see...... www.flickr.com/photos/66741282@N04/
1pcmedic interesting 🤔 , with short focal lengths this might work. Have you tried this method with a longer focal lengths let’s say 200mm or higher my feeling is that you’d lose polar alignment? Nice pics BTW👍🏻
@@13stanm I only got my Star tracker Aug 13th. The last time I was out and setup it went down to 24 degrees F so I cannot say. I hope to be/know better by the summer of 2021 then test it with a 250mm lens. Thanks for the thumbs up on the pics. Anything before Aug 13th were short exposures with high ISO, if you zoom in there is slight star trailing.
Hi Kamil. I’m curious, you’re using a Canon Rebel T3i but the SA manual does not list this camera. Can you tell me what cable you’re using to connect it.
Great tutorials by the way 👍👍👍
Hey Damian! Actually I don’t connect my camera to the SA at all. I just connect my camera to an external intervalometer and use that to shoot images. What’s the shutter release socket on the T3i? Is it a micro jack (2,5mm)?
Hey Kamil. Thank You for your prompt response. I don’t actually have the t3i but am in the market for a budget Canon DSLR. I was considering the t3i because there is one close buy, BUT it wasn’t listed in the SA manual as a compatible camera. I’ll probably go to a 700D or a 60D. Thank you so much again. One more thing though if I may... I got a bit lost with your ‘edit’ of not loosing target while checking PA. Putting the Zero on the dial to between 10 & 11, is that supposed to be relevant to the time of day? Or is it between 10 & 11 no matter what? Thanks again Kamil. Have a wonderful day and stay safe 👍
Between 10 and 11 no matter what
So, like many who've commented, I have the SWSA and my gods I just can not get the alignment down... Anything over 20 seconds or so of exposure and i start seeing trails..
Thanks
I know this is an old video, but setting October 31st to the time graduation dial to the RA angle based on the polar align pro app is NOT accurate. The further away you get from 12am the less accurate it will be. The reason for this is because the time graduation dial is based on solar time, not sidereal time (those dials are so you can polar align without using an app). They are slightly different. Because stars move across the sky faster than the sun, the distance from 6pm to 6am on the time graduation dial is greater than 180 degrees. Since Right Ascension (and similarly, hour angle) is based on a 360 degree circle (not the 361ish degrees of a synodic day), the time graduation dial will be inaccurate near 6pm and 6am. If you look closely at the time graduation dial of the star adventurer, you will see the line from 6pm to 6am does not go through the RA axis--it actually goes slightly below it, meaning the angle is more than 180 degrees.
The most correct way to use the RA angle of that app is to use the information from your manual goto technique. What you will do is note the hour angle of 10/31 in your goto information, and subtract that from the hour angle of the object you have framed. Set the RA in the app to that. This will rotate the polar scope by the correct amount.
Again, do not set 10/31 to the time on the time graduation circle and use that as the RA angle in the app. That will not yield accurate results unless you're pretty close to your home position (10/31 at midnight).
I could not understand what mini app poster was mentioning to verify proper polar alignment with the polar scope
Perfect thanks man
Kamil, when using the Polar Scope Align Pro app, you indicate that we should set our Time Meridian Indicator to zero. Is it not necessary to offset our Time Meridian Indicator to match our longitude when using this app? I think a lot of people use these apps to polar align, but have you ever tried the method where you simply look at your watch and turn the dials to the current month, day and hour and look through the scope and align Polaris to the 6 o'clock position? The only extra step required for this non-app method is that you have to offset your Time Meridian Indicator which means you have to know how many degrees east or west of the standard meridian that you are. But it is relatively trivial to look this up. For me, I know that I am 2 degrees west of the prime meridian of my time zone, so I offset my Time Meridian Indicator to West 2 degrees. My question for you is whether that offset is needed when using the app? Also, I have found that my SA is not in the same position as yours when I turn to Midnight, Oct 31. My reticle is in the same position, but my RA bracket is not. At any rate, when I turn to my target, there are times when the Oct 31 mark is on the bottom half of the Time Graduation Dial, so there is no way to calculate the Hour Angle offset in this case. I guess the solution would be to unmount the declination bracket and rotate the RA bracket 180 degrees and then reattach the declination bracket and start over?
My scope isn’t oriented correctly. 12 isn’t at top 6 isn’t at the bottom. I’ve read the pdf file you posted and don’t understand. I had to sent one sky tracker back already because I couldn’t align it. Now I am on my second one. Can you make a video showing you calibrate it please? I’ll become a patreon if you do. Thank you
Hola Kamil, veo todos tus videos pero soy de España y al no poder poner subtitulos, no entiendo bien lo que dices para solucionar éste problema. Me podrías indicar escrito por aquí que debo apretar o aflojar para arreglarlo?
Część. Fajnie byłoby jakbyś zrobił filmik o kalibracji lunetki zamiast wklejać manual ;) Dzisiaj miałem z tym duży problem mimo że miałem instrukcje w ręku, ze względu na ruchomą soczewkę z gwintem i zbytnie poluzowanie soczewki pod spodem - z podziałką... Ehhh... 2h z życia wzięte :P Ciągle nie wiem czy jest ok, ale 2 "O-ringi" chyba zrobiły robotę. Czekam na czyste niebo żeby sprawdzić ;) Pozdrawiam :)
Thanks Kamil, great videos - appreciate all the guidance. Can i ask, how would you use the app in the Southern Hemisphere (based in Australia) what should i be looking for?
There should be a hemisphere switcher in that app but basically instead of Polaris you’re gonna need to point somewhere near Octans. There is no star so close to SCP as Polaris is to NCP.
I have a question which I don’t believe you have mention. I may have missed it. So deep space or even MW. The cluch lock???? Once aligned balanced and pointed camera in the direction. Does the clutch need to be tightened or not when I use??
Yes for the tracking mechanisim to work, unlocked it wont track correctly
How can I turn the camera to photograph my dso?
That's what that little piece is for...good to know. Not a Apple fan boy, there an app for Android that does the same thing as that iOS app?
I saw people recommending PolarFinder app play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.techhead.polarfinder&hl=en but I’m not certain if it has this functionality
Great video as usual. I am an avid follower of your channel. I was scratching my head as to how perfectly polar align after mounting my equipment. I was doing the method 1 but the method 2 seem to be pretty easy without hassle. Is there a version for polar scope alignment pro for Android ?
For android, people in the comments here were suggesting some app. Look through the comments
Hey, maybe I missed something but from what point do I have to use the counter weight?
I have a regular metal ballhead, a Nikon D500 and a Sigma 18-35 1.8. Altogether it should be around 2 kg.
With that setup you should be fine just using the ballhead mount witg no counterweight. It’s only really needed for balance, not like above some payload threshold. In general it’s needed for long lenses like 70-200mm or longer
@@kamilkp Thanks a lot :)
Kamil, When I line up reticle it is off by about 20 degrees. I need to adjust it but uncertain as to which allen screw to loosen to adjust it properly. Any advice? David
Hi Kamil; great video as always.
I read online a tip for polar alignment that I not sure is right if you could comment on?
Basically when polar aligning, get polaris exactly on the 12 o'clock position in the reticle then adjust using screws so that polaris then moves to the 6 o'clock position. At that stage you are polar aligned. I'm not sure this right - any comments?
Never heard of that method honestly and I don’t see why it would work 😅
@@kamilkp yep. Thought it sounded too good to be true!
The illuminator doesn't work well for me, I use the red light from a headlamp held at an angle to the polar sight
Does this also apply to the EQM-3
5 PRO
Any app for android users in this respect?
Really helpful! Finally got my star adventurer this week! Is the polar scope align pro app also available on android? Or is there an equivalent app that also shows where polaris should be when the polar scope is turned?
Unfortunately I don’t have any experience with android but there should definitely be an app out there with this feature. I can’t believe that Sky-Watcher didn’t implement it in their SAM Console app - it’s so simple, but yet so helpful!
hi, i use the "Polaraligner Pro" for android.
I have the Star Adventurer 2i Pro. I've seen multiple ads on using the iPolar electronic polar alignment scope and it being "compatible" with the Star Adventurer. After many searches I am NOT seeing anything on how to attach the iPolar scope to the Star Adventurer... Help please. Can anyone advise me on how it's done or direct me to the method?
Well shit, i wondered what this little plastic part was for, i would have never figured it out, thank you for sharing. I hate the SA, it was the most frustrating experience learning how to use it properly. I would love to spend my time capturing the data, not fiddling with gear.
I meant 0 at top 6 at bottom.
For rotated reticle, how do you read what is the offset in hours? The scale only goes from 7-17. What to do when Oct 31 is aligned before 7 or after 17 marking ?
A meridian flip
Still utterly confused. Because everyone has a different explanation. And you can move the date and time dials independent of the tracker. So how do you accurately calibrate these two dials? And what is the purpose of the E/W GMT longitudinal correction scale?
Hi, Kamil -
Thanks for this informative video! I have an Android phone, and the Polar Scope Align Pro app is apparently not available on Android. There are a few others that are similar, but I couldn't find one which has the feature you described. Also, one constructive suggestion - perhaps have a bit less coffee before making these videos...you speak a bit quickly. I had no problem following you but some others might have to rewind you a few times :-)
Thanks for the suggestion 😅 - anyway I heard that the „PolarFinder” is a good option for Android but I don’t have an Android device to test it and thus I’m not certain if it has this feature. You can check that one out!
Hi this app is that only for Iphone? for some reason not found in android playstore....
Yes I think so. There is something with a similar capability for Android I think - somebody mentioned it in the comments here
So you initially line up the 0 on the date dial with the day you are shooting? So if September the 20th, you'd line up the 0 to the with the 9th (September) to the zero at the top, then 10 notches on (1 notch is 2 days) or am I way off? Can you do a more in depth video on just this bit? Ta. *Polar scope align pro isn't on android either. Any recommendations for android, or websites for it?
Check out this link for details about those date/time dials: nightskypix.com/skywatcher-star-adventurer-pro-setup-and-user-guide/#Unassisted_Polar_Alignment_Using_the_Star_Adventurers_Graduated_Scales_For_Deep_Sky_Astrophotography
hi Kamil, sorry this is not relevant to your video but for DSLR imaging, do you find it's useful to purchase also a red dot finder scope, mounted to camera? im wondering if will be worth to order one as i do not have go-to mount. thanks!
I don’t have neither go-to nor the red dot finder and I can manage to find what I need. But it can be a challenge. A red dot might help a lot especially at the beginning!
Kamil Pekala thank you wil try it
Sorry if I sound stupid but do I need to line it up exactly how it looks in the same finale mini app or would it be mirrored 🙃
Line it up exactly as you see it in the app!
@@kamilkp thank you sir !
Your videos have been great at helping me in my journey. I do have a question. While trying to shoot Orion at my location, once I use your method to polar align, I then slew to my target. Now I want to check my accuracy and fine tune using PS Align Pro app. But when I rotate and line up my target, look between the 10&11 to record the time, it's left of 7 and there are no more lines. What do I do in this situation?
Rotate Ra by 180 degrees. Then you will see a „line” where you need to. You will also need to adjust Dec axis accordingly
Why on the line between 10 and 11? I'm lost. Thanks
Check out the link I sent you as a reply to your other comment
so last night i was out side with my sa and i used my phone and the sky map app and gave it a *rough poloar alignment * how reliable is a rough polar alignment by pointing your phone thru the poloar scope to roughly point it at polaris and if i turn on
*tracking * will it track doing it this method ?
I covered this topic in my previous video. Check it out here: ruclips.net/video/X2jagTiDZ6k/видео.html
Rough alignment will give less star trails than no alignment at all. You might not notice any trailing for 5 to 10 second exposures at all. Also make sure you set the N/S SWITCH properly or you will create star trails even when properly aligned because you will be turning against the stars....🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I was hoping you would explain the time and date dials but you don't understand them.
Similar app for android?
Not that I’m aware of - I don’t own any Android device
Why not mount your DEC bracket and camera and scope before polar aligning? I dont see why anyone would PA before as simply putting that stuff on after will knock you out of PA for sure and you'll have to recheck it anyways.
If your PA od WAAY off then you need to lift the tripod and position it rotated a bit, then level it again etc. that can be cumbersome with all this stuff already mounted. But sure you can PA coarsly, then mount everything and then PA precisely (with the scope, app etc)
oh no!!! I didn't know the purpose of that plastic and I have trash it :(
Actually, the gear on the wedge on the Star Adventurer Pro 2 is 100% metal! There is no plastic on the wedge. I guess this must be an upgrade from the older Star Adventurer!
Still immensely confusing, and also the illuminator doesnt seem to illuminate anything. Regardless I appreciate the explanation.