After I wrote my response to the question about the no star alignment, it
occurred to me that I should add that for the no star alignment to be
accurate, everything else has to be accurate too. The tripod must be
perfectly level, the date and time and location must be accurately set, the
offset from GMT must be correct, and of course, the initial level and south
settings must be correct. Any error in any of these parameters will show
up in the final pointing error. However, with reasonable care it is pretty
easy to find a bright object like the moon (duh) or Venus, and do a sync
after a GOTO and be pretty well aligned.

I have done two star alignments in the daytime too. Not an easy feat, but
it is possible. After a one star alignment on any convenient object
(careful on the moon, though. It's not easy to determine the center),
identify two bright stars that can actually be seen and found. Since you
have actually found them both, it isn't as hard to do it again during the
alignment. With the first star already found and centered, begin the
alignment by choosing the star in the FOV as the first star. Then select
star two, hit GOTO and after the scope slews to its expected location,
center the second star and you're done.

I find that having my laptop set up and connected to the scope is a big
help, since I know which bright stars are up, and exactly where to look.


Paul Goelz
Rochester Hills, MI
pgoelz at eaglequest dot com

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