Step by step

Step 1

Assemble your particular star tracker (for this demonstration we are using the Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer 2i).

Attach it to a tripod and roughly aim it towards the north. Ideally, use an equatorial wedge as this helps with latitude adjustment, but if you don’t have one you can try angling the tripod’s panhead instead.

Step 2

Next, ensure that your setup is level by using the spirit level that you’ll find integrated into the wedge, and uncap the mount covers to reveal the integrated polarscope.

You can now use the altitude and azimuth adjustment knobs to roughly place Polaris near the centre of the polarscope’s field of view.

Step 3

Attach the polarscope illuminator or use a red torch to illuminate the graticule (left). Unlock and align the RA axis by sighting through the polarscope and rotating it until the graticule has ‘0’ at the top and is in line with the mount body.

Step 4

The polarscope graticule resembles a clock face, so now using either the SynScan Pro app or the iOptron Polar Scope app, find where Polaris should lie along the circle of the graticule for the particular time and date that you’re out under the stars.

Step 5

Using the altitude and azimuth adjustment knobs, sight through the polarscope and position Polaris on the graticule as indicated in the app (Step 4). Remove the polar illuminator and add the camera with a wide-field lens, and start taking exposures.

Step 6

To get closer to your objects you can fit a longer, heavier lens. Use the monunt’s (optional) dovetail L-bracket and counterweight shaft with the counterweight attached here.

The bracket has a slot that will allow you to polar align as above with the extra photography equipment attached.