Simple Polar Alignment Method for Southern Hemisphere

[@rareviewphotography]

Safari 7 update. Everything is the same as Richard shows except Safari have moved the final "Show even if not connected to telescope " and "Crosshair" settings. Under Observe/Scope Display, you now need to tap the middle icon on the top right of screen. It's between the ? and X icons and looks like o- -o lying above each other. I guess it's their edit symbol. Once you open that, the last 2 options mentioned above are now visible and can be selected. Cheers and thanks again Richard.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks for the update Levin. .. that will help a lot of people.

[@Fls1979]

Thank you so much for your greats videos! Very interesting, very instructive, very pedagogical! It’s a pleasure to watch them! And your photos are splendid!

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

I really appreciate your kind words Florent, thank you.

[@christinekersting8898]

Awesome Video. Thanks and I wish everyone clear skies for 2023.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much Christine.

[@christinekersting8898]

@@nightscapeimages.richard thanks as well for the detailed setups in Sky Safari. Greetings from South Africa

[@robertYTB78g]

I have been going through exactly the same difficulties as you when using my Star Adventurer, so thank you for confirming that it is not just me that is having all this trouble! The following system is working well for me, although only on my property, and it is the easiest I have come up with so far. 1. Make the mount exactly parallel to two tripod legs, by shining a laser pointer through the polar scope. Turn the mount until the dot from the laser lines up with a line you have created along the ground from the centre of the mount (use a plumline eg fishing weight and line) then up to the top of a perfectly square post - eg on your deck, or on a doorway). OK now you are parallel to those legs forever - especially if you use a triangular needle file to mark a line on the mount, should you remove the it. 2. Now ""all"" :) we have to do is to is align our tripod legs north south each time, which I think should be more accurate due to the distance between them. At home they are placed in the same marked spots, but any other place a compass will be needed, and I now intend to use a "real" compass. Like you I found that even the best compass apps vary, and in my case I just can't take the uncertainty!. 3. For altitude I have a cheap digital inclinometer (about 50 NZD but there are some cheaper) which is accurate to 0.1 degrees. I actually beleive that accuracy, as it is absolutely brilliant with my dobsonian for finding sky objects. I still would like things easier away from home, still has to be level. One interesting thing I have found on KZbin is someone comparing say 100 30 second exposures with 50 one minute ones and not finding significant differences. So maybe bringing down exposure time and increasing iso is not such a big deal to overcome only rough tracking setup, especially with stacking and modern cameras having greater iso-invariance?

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Very good insights indeed Robert. Yes I've found that shooting 1 minute exposures at iso1600 to be really quite good. Have a great new year and thanks for watching.

[@orendakog6784]

Awesome as always. Thanks for sharing all this info Richard, it sure assists in my learning curve. Best of 2023 to you, your family, friends, subscribers and viewers, Stay healthy everybody. Happy prosperous 2023. Big info coming in 2023, Big info.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

I really appreciate your great support throughout the year .. all the very best for 2023.

[@BenManuele]

Thank you so much Richard. I've bought all this beautiful gear and have had so many issues with polar aligning in my backyard. This seems like a great solution. I've ordered the adapter from Skylabs and can wait to use it. This was the most useful 'Southern Hemisphere video I've seen!

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

I'm really pleased you found it helpful Ben, I've done a heap of images in the past few weeks using this method and it's working well for me. I appreciate you watching.

[@christopherleecowan]

Thank you sir 👍🏼 I can now do this in the day time

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Yes absolutely, another of the benefits of this method.

[@peterjulianphotos4659]

You have re-energied me into nightscapes - hope 2023 is another fantastic year for you

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thank you so much Peter. All the very best for 2023 to you also.

[@Samanthaohlsenphotography]

Can't thank you enough for this video. I bought a Star Adventurer Pro about 3 years ago and had many attempts at polar alignment without any success! I became so frustrated that it has remained in my cupboard for the last 2 years as I gave up trying to achieve Southern polar alignment. I have now ordered the Skylabs Polar Alignment Adaptor and look forward to trying what seems to be a much easier method. Thank you so much!!!!!

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thank you so much for watching Samantha. I'm really pleased you found the video useful. I'll be keen to hear how you go.

[@billinglendaleca5093]

Happy New Year, Richard. About 3 weeks ago I headed up north to find some really dark skies to shoot Orion. Got out my tracker and started polar alignment with my iPolar, then it went all wonky, found out the connector on the USB cable had broken. Fortunately I had the optical scope, which worked. But it took a long time in the cold(-10℃) to find Polaris in the optical scope(the reason I got the iPolar). The Skylabs Polar Alignment Adaptor will be added to my kit soon(I've already ordered a replacement USB cable). Thanks.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Sorry to hear about your misadventure Bill. Hopefully you get the shots you were after in the end.

[@johnl4469]

G'day Richard. great video as usual. All the very best for 2023 mate. Keep safe.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much for watching John, really appreciate your support. All the very best for 2023.

[@paulmorrall5719]

Richard this is a really a valuable video. My skywatcher Star Adventurer hasn’t been used the much since I purchased it a couple of years ago due my struggle in PA here in Sydney. I’m filled with hope for an easier time in 2023, thank you so much 🙏🙏

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

I hope it works ok for you Paul. Let me know how you go.

[@kyliejoyce2992]

I was so excited to see the skylabs adapter in use. I bought one in September last year but haven't used it yet. Now I can see myself using this. I have recently moved to Auckland so hoping to chase some dark skies very soon.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

It's a fantastic little device Kylie, and there are many ways to mount it. Thanks for watching.

[@steveostini4868]

Excellent video Richard, I have struggled with tracking. Hopefully back into it this year.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks Steve. I'm pleased you got something out of the video.

[@Tony-gm3im]

Awesome Richard. Great tips and gadgets. Thank you very much for teaching all of us all about night sky photography. The very best to you and your family for 2023

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much for watching Tony. Happy new year to you also.

[@ErniePolley-y4y]

G'day Richard and thank you very much. I purchased a star adventurer last year but could never find the south celestial pole. ever. So, it has sat in a case ever since.. Now I'm inspired by you to try again. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

I'm really pleased the video was helpful. I hope it goes well with the tracker.

[@gustavosalgadocontenidos]

Hello dear, I want to congratulate you from Argentina. It is really the first time I see a video so explanatory and with real solutions. I've been doing professional photography and video for a long time, but since a few years ago I've been trying to do photo astronomy (at one time I started, then I stopped, but now I'm taking everything more seriously!) Congratulations and I'm going to test them urgently ;). Greetings from San Luis (Argentina) and you already have a new fan in your channel! Greetings!

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thank you so much for your very kind comments Gustavo. I really appreciate it.

[@mariopereira8261]

Great video, a happy year 2023 with good health and with the joy and contagious love that you transmit in your videos and in your photographs, a happy new year Richard

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Many thanks indeed Mario. All the best for 2023 my friend.

[@cleverpete1]

Great video, i’m in Cape Point area South Africa, very dark skies, and cannot wait to try out your tips

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much for your kind words.

[@rodneytopor1846]

Thank you! Very encouraging prospect to be able to align my Star Adventurer without using the polar scope. Have ordered the Skylabs Polar Alignment Adaptor and upgraded SkySafari 5 to SkySafari 7 Plus. Can't wait to try this new technique.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks for watching Rodney. I've ben using it consistently for the past 6 or 7 months will excellent results.

[@shaunconnolly6552]

Hi Rod I have also acquired the SkySafari 7 Plus, but doesn't seem to have the little green alignment square. Not sure if I missed something in set up.?? How did you go.?

[@rodneytopor1846]

I gave up on Sky Safari 7 and have been using the PS Align Pro app successfully instead.

[@nikkirix4659]

Thank you.. this is really helpful.. I have the Polar Alignment Pro.. I would prefer the skysafari.. when I can look above instead of looking below. I like that plate.. must have to get this.. Thanks again.. Happy New Year and looking forward to seeing more of your amazing images.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks heaps Nikki, always appreciate you watching.

[@christophsurtmann52]

Much Appreciation for this tip! Although I live in the northern Hemisphere, this is an excellent option when I can't see Polaris due to foreground composition. Printed myself a phone holder and it work very well! Much Gratitude.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

I'm really pleased you found it helpful, appreciate you watching.

[@baranjen]

Thank you so much for such a sublime video. I had all but given up on trying to polar align my Celestron here in South Africa.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

I'm very pleased to help my friend. Thanks for watching.

[@randybottphotography]

Perfect video for alignment. Buying the Sky Adventurer Mini and I have a Full Spectrum IR camera to put on it. I purchased the Visible +H-alpha filter for Milky Way shots this year. Now I just need some clear skies in the Pacific Northwest.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Yes those clouds are always a problem . .hopefully you'll get some clear skies soon my friend.

[@BurgerOosthuizen]

Hi Richard, thanks, I have now bought and used the bracket. I have been able to get 20 seconds exposure with a 300 mm lens. So super happy. Thanks for sharing.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

I'm really pleased to hear that. Thanks so much for tuning in.

[@inefekt]

Fantastic tips for alignment where the SCP is hidden by objects out of your control, I very often come across this issue myself and have simply just used a compass app to get as close to south as possible but your method is much better. Personally, where I can get a direct line of sight to Sigma Octantis I use a 5mw laser which is just the right size to secure into the mounting hole where you would normally slide the polar scope into (it's roughly the same diameter). I then simply turn on the laser and point it as close to SO as I can, remove the laser and affix the scope and 99 times out of 100 I can clearly see SO in the scope, ready for fine tuning using the PolarFinder app. This process takes just two or three minutes and is quite precise. Happy new year and best of luck with your astro shooting in 2023!

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks for your comments. It's always interesting to see how everybody approaches this issue. All the best for 2023.

[@schattenseite]

Richard, again thank you so much for sharing your experience and knowledge. Your idea of using the opposite celestial pole is great for the Skylabs mobile phone mount. I will use the opposite logic and align to the SCP, since I live in the northern hemisphere 🙂

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks for watching. Yes that will work really well.

[@musiqueetmontagne]

Some truly splendid images and some great information from your experimentation into methods to get easier alignment..Thanks for uploading.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thank you so much for watching, I'm pleased it was helpful.

[@paultutton9443]

Perserverance with your polar alignment using these basic principles has really paid off Richard - and you don't get more basic than a length of 4"x2"! 🤣. Seriously though, the accuracy you've achieved is perfectly adequate for standard exposures @ 20-35mm and the phone app only improves on that 👍. Wishing you and your family a very happy and healthy New Year and I look forward to following your nightscape adventures in 2023.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much for watching Paul. All the very best to you for 2023 as well my friend.

[@The_Gunslinger]

Thank you Richard for all your research you have done into this, I use almost the same method to align. I can't use the polar scope either. One compass app I use is Compass by Keuwlsoft it has the magnetic declination pointer alongside the normal pointer to south, and also I use the piece of 4X2 timber. Must admit the Skylabs Polar Alignment Adaptor might be a game changer, I was trying to make the same sort of thing out of wood. Thank you for for sharing all your knowledge with us over the last year.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Hey Brett, really appreciate your insights my friend. I'll check out that Compass app. Yes the Skylabs mount is well made and simple. Have a great 2023 mate.

[@wardastrophotography5098]

Bravo bravo 👏 epic pictures at the end. Tracked images really does show the beautiful airglow and details in the night sky. Yet again a fantastic video. That phone mount to align to the NCP for you southern hemisphere guys is genius!

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much for your comments Tom. I've really appreciated your support throughout the year mate. All the very best for 2023.

[@timelapsescapes]

WOW RICHARD NOW THAT sure was a mouth full of information I dont know how you do it. Thanks for this great bit of info cheers Frank

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

This one took quite q while to put together Frank . .glad you liked it.

[@abroomby]

Great video Richard, I have been doing some similar testing with the ioptron (ipolar) along with how the PS Align works on the iPhone. I think the key as you said is the ability for the phone to sit on the same spot like the adapter. All the best for 2023, let’s hope for clear skies :)

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks for your great support throughout 2022 Alan . .all the best for the new year mate.

[@PhillipMcCallum]

Have too watch a few times, but a very informative video , still in the this frustrating me phase with mine but I'm not unhappy with my results this far. Enjoy and have fun, happy new year to the whole family safe 2023

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Your support is always appreciated my friend.

[@GARY1951A]

Great video -- I purchased the level and I need to select the Skylabs Polar Alignment Bracket! As always your videos are packed with so many great tips! Thanks for making these!!!!!

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks a lot Gary. The skylabs bracket is easy and cheap ... I have made lots of alternate brackets but it's just so simple.

[@JasonNgPhotography]

This is awesome. I have the Star Adventurer Pro 2i and hate the difficulties I face polar aligning. I am going to give it a go.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks for watching Jason .. I'll be keen to see how you go with it.

[@ViratShah]

Thanks a lot Richard for this supper informative video. I have been using the compass to find 181 degrees for true south and then manually adjust. I will need to try this method soon and see if I can replicate the results. wish you clear skys, auroras and wonderful 2023 for night photography..

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much for watching Virat. I'm pretty sure the declination is very close to magnetic north for you guys over in the west. All the very best to you also for 2023.

[@phillipbruce9892]

You're an absolute legend Richard 💯. Thank you so much for putting in the time and effort on this subject and more importantly for sharing your results. Living in Sydney I find the most difficult part of the tracking process is getting the alignment accurate and your methods are certainly helping me obtain results that are much more consistent. I can't thank you enough, cheers 🍻.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks heaps for watching Phillip. I'm pleased the videos are helpful.

[@treeman3663]

Interesting stuff if that's what floats ya boat happy new year Richard see ya with new stuff in the new year

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

All the best to you my friend.

[@simondiete2465]

Love the videos mate. I'm having all sorts of trouble getting alignment. I'm going to give this a try. Cheers 😀

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks for watching Simon. It's been working great for me these past few months.

[@spid7223]

Thank you Richard, as per usual another informative vlog to which you have given us all year with all your tips and how to do this. I think I would speak for most people and say a big thank for this year and next. Happy new year to you and your wife and look forward to another great year ahead.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Very kind of you my friend, thanks for your great support.

[@ColleenVR]

Hi Richard greetings from South Africa 😊 thanks for this vid, much appreciated. I'm awaiting delivery of a Skywatcher tracking mount and then found your tutorial after a search, as most that I saw was for northern hemisphere alignment. Beautiful images as always!

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

You're very welcome Colleen. This video is another with similar content from a later outing. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3XCn2mQqdiNatE

[@MrJcalais]

Making sure you use a solid tripod and even shortening the legs a fraction can work wonders in making the tripod more solid and don't put your tripod on grass or soil that is soft under foot

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Yes all good points.

[@bobsheridan6692]

Excellent explanation on polar alignment and great images as always Richard. I will definitely try some of your techniques here in the Northern Hemisphere later on when the sky has some breaks in the weather. Hope that you have a happy new year!

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks as always for watching Bob, happy new year.

[@miloradkaravidin8818]

Happy new year Mr Richard. Wish you all the best!!! See you on next adventure!!!

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thank you so much Milorad, I appreciate your great support my friend.

[@robmacmillan8841]

Awesome vid Richard happy new year mate 🎉

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much Rob, same to you.

[@andesastro]

Amazing! Living in the Southern Hemisphere i know the pain of performing a good PA, hard in dark sites and impossible from a city backyard. Lately ive been relying on drift alignment but your method is much easier! I bet there can be sometime of DYI hack for a 3D print on that phone adapter for people that live a long way from NZ. Keep up the good work!

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Many thanks for watching Pedro. Yes I did quite a few designs for a mount but none of them were a match for the Skylabs adaptor. I guess it comes down to how well we can manufacture things like this.

[@lesladbrook4508]

Brilliant !! Richard, the people with Sky Trackers are going to love you, I may even get a tracker one day. Wishing you and your family a very happy New Year.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks for your great support Les, it's really appreciated.

[@philliplivingstone5336]

Fabulous, I have the Move Shoot Move mount and it has worked pretty good will trying to align south. I'll try your method looking to the north next season. Thanks, best wishes.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks a lot for watching Phillip

[@howardjack1103]

I love the idea of being able to use Polaris for down under. I guess one can always check alignment on Octans to be sure to be sure? And good old Kiwi ingenuity too! when I was a Boy Scout back in the 60s the difference between True & Magnetic N was called variation and we used the simple Variation E Magnetic least, variation West Magnetic best This was also the terminology when I did flying and boating licences. Somewhere the brains trusts decided on changing the terminologies!! Declination was the angle a compass needle made to the horizontal due to one end being attracted downwards and this corrected by subtle differences in weights. Compasses were designated for Northern or Southern hemisphere or even regions of latitude. Deviation was the degree various nearby substances and electricity had on the needle. ships had to "swing"the compass to measure this and apply magnets to correct it or use a deviation card. The analogue compass you showed was identical to a Silva one I had as a boy scout - and still have over 60yrs later levels: when buying a level there is an easy way to check it's accuracy: put it on a reasonably level surface. Note or evn mark where either end of the bubble is. Turn the level 180 deg ( end for end) and check if the bubble is on the same mark. If it is it's good, if not try another one or another brand. I have seen some shockers over the years. For a tripod bubble just rotate the head and see if it stays in the centre. The old theodolites for building and surveying used them.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

What great advice Howard. Thanks so much for your valuable insights my friend.

[@AstroRoad]

Great video Richard. Really practical approach to a task that can often get in the way of an enjoyable night of photography for beginners and seasoned shooters alike.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks Dominic. I've been quite happy with the Sky Safari app. And the Skylabs mount is quite simple and practical.

[@oaritaphotography6281]

Excellent photographs, I see that more stars were punctual without traces, I will try the method I will look for that base of which you speak to align with the phone I had never seen that method.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thank you so much for watching. I'm glad it was helpful.

[@Justgetoutthere2]

Again another great informative video Richard and thank you for the information as polar alignment in the southern hemisphere is not easy eeith a star tracker and also I would like too wish you and your wife a Happy new year. P.S. I am looking foward to doing another night scape course with you would you consider putting the use of the trackers in some of the course to help us out

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much Steve, all the very best to you for 2023 also. I could add some info on star trackers in the workshops but it's hard when most who are attending don't have one.

[@dennisblack4444]

Thank you Richard for the informative video, will certainly look at trying this method 👍

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks as always for watching Dennis

[@TheMiniD3]

Hi Richard, This is a late post, I received the plastic star tracker attachment today, works a treat but using it slightly different tan your setup I slide the plastic attachment in first before I slide in the head, (different configuration but thought it would be better for travel) Caution! nearly did your trick, I caught the phone before it hit the deck :), found the right size rubber band did the trick Regards, Gary ............ AU

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Good on you Gary. It's so easy to drop a phone isn't it.

[@robertnorman1398]

Hi Richard - Great information as always. I've been thinking of buying a star tracker but have been put off (until seeing your video) by the issues of accurate alignment. Have placed and order for a Star Adventurer today! I was also a bit mystified by Sky Safari's settings for finding the celestial pole - and you've cleared that up as well! PS: Have recently downsized from Melbourne to Castlemaine - so you may no longer be the only photographer on display at the Castlemaine gallery! Hope our paths cross.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Hi Robert. I'm pleased you found the video to be helpful. I was like you and decided to go looking to see how to solve this polar alignmnet issue for the southern hemisphere .. it's severely under-represented on youtube. I'll look forward to seeing your work.

[@jerrythompson]

I'm using the Sky Watcher Star Adventurer as well and have been fighting the same issues. I'm in the northern hemisphere and so have Polaris available but can't always find it in the polar scope. I recently picked up a laser kit from MSM and that helps. Gets me good enough for wide angle lenses and once aligned with the laser then can usually locate Polaris for fine tuning. As you mentioned, only works if I can see that portion of the sky. I'm going to look into your new tools. Thanks for sharing.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

I'm very pleased you found it helpful Jerry. All the very best for 2023.

[@IanInverarity]

That’s a great method Richard, very neat! Nice shots too!! 😀

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks Ian. Yes it will work well for those who use wide angle lenses with relatively short shutter speeds. Although I did put my 400mm lens on the tracker last night and followed the moon for about 3 hours. It did drift from the centre but not by as much as I might have thought.

[@IanInverarity]

@@nightscapeimages.richard 400mm is getting a long focal length for a star tracker, nicely done! I recently watched a guy doing planetary photography with an effective focal length of well over 2000mm, that was interesting, with the challenges involved!

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

@@IanInverarity Yes the 400mm lens is on a Panasonic Micro 4/3 camera . .so it is effectively 800mm field of view. But it's a pretty light weight setup. I'm looking forward to seeing what you get up to in 2023 ..!!!!

[@adithompson199]

A great video Richard. Thank you. I now feel more confident in using a tracker system. Top job. Cheers.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Sometimes we just need to get our head around these things .. we are so good at complicating simple things sometimes . .me included ..!! Happy new year.

[@stevechong65]

Superb! I can't thank you enough Richard, I had been struggling with PA here. I live near the equator, a place where the Polaris is only a single digit above the horizon, mine is 2.09 degree, chances are Polaris is block for most of the time, unless I am on a flat land where there were no obstacles at all. And it so different to position the tracker here, I have to basically set it to 90 degree down, like 3 or 9 o'clock, its difficult to work with at this angle if I mount a ball head to the tracker, I have custom made an L bracket so that I can mount the camera "upwards". Anyway, it is a pain to do PA here since it is so low. You method is certainly an inspiration, I will try it out as soon as I can. Thank you once again! ~s

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much for your comments Steve. I'm really pleased you found it helpful. I'll be keen to see how you go.

[@stevechong65]

@@nightscapeimages.richard ​ Hey Richard, just a quick update, you were SO RIGHT about the inconsistency of the compass apps, at times the readings were way off. Then I found the traditional compass was also giving inconsistent reading, I was perturbed, very! As it turned out the magnetic force generated by the Tracker was affecting the readings of both the analog and digital reading. It was driving me crazy for days! So I did as what you have illustrated, get the bearing first from both analog and digital (must be identical readings), then do the PA, only then I mount the Tracker and set it the camera! The sky was blanketed with clouds for months, I will try it out as soon as the sky is clear of a bit. Wish me luck! And a BIG thank you once again Richard. Regards, ~ s

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

@@stevechong65 I hope it all works out.

[@lactech27]

Magnificent topic video, very instrucctive and inspirational Happy New 2023 for you and your family.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Many thanks as always Luis

[@BradPhoto24.7]

Thank you so much Richard for putting this video together, it is going to be very helpful and I’m sure I’ll be giving it a few views as I work through it. Have a great New Year. Brad

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much for your support Brad, really appreciate it.

[@johnd5244]

Stunning images Richard! I will have to try that up here. I just got a Artcise bowl carbon fiber tripod. Christmas present for myself. Suggestion for you use a rubber band to keep your phone attached to that until your done. Just in case. Happy New Year to you and your family Richard.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Yes I think that may be a good idea John. Happy new year to you.

[@michaelw6173]

I use this method on my StarTracker for alignment, I can never see the SCP due to my house being built into the bottom side of a hill. The only difference, I use a small digital inclinometer to set the latitude. I find that the phone is too iffy when trying to hold it steady for those fine adjustments. But my alignment works. I imaged M42 the other night, before the clouds arrived, at 200mm attached to 6DMk2. There was some very very slight trailing of the stars, but only visible when zoomed in on them with 45 second exposures. Thanks for your work, it is appreciated.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

That sounds fantastic Michael. You've done well at 200mm for sure. All the best for 2023.

[@fernandonunez6093]

I always look forward to your videos, and now when you don't upload every week I dedicate myself to rewatching your previous videos. And in this particular I would love it if you could mention the names of the cell phone apps that you use, especially the one with the compass and the "velux", since I have looked for them in the play store but I can't find the one you use, they appear Similar. Thank you very much in advance and don't stop uploading videos, you are an inspiration and we need your motivation. Thank you from Uruguay, almost at your same latitude, but far to the east. PS: using google translate

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much for your support Fernando. Velux is the name of that app. The compass app is called Field Compass.

[@jimschmidt7303]

Another great video, great images and great information. I have been trying similar manual methods for confirming the north celestial pole. I am hoping the Canadian wild fire smoke will not be a hindrance this weekend.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks a lot for watching Jim. Yes I've heard the fire situation in North America is not good at all.

[@akkarparkiamopas3401]

I did meet Jordi Skylabs today. He s a nice guy and gave me a good advice 👍

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

That's fantastic. It's good that you're so close to them.

[@thenewvoice8]

I was up at Lake Eppalock last night trying to catch the aurora and milky way, boy it was cold and windy - recently got the starwatcher tracker thing - and my god I couldn't see a thing through the polar scope thing!! I tried to place it as best I could, but results weren't the best. I've ordered this adapter as any help to alignment is welcomed!

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Yes I can never see anything through thte polar scope on these things. You'll love the simple adapter plate.

[@guykerr8111]

So... I teach map and compass and we have to allow for grid north (GN), which is off from True North (TN) on a map and both are different from magnetic north (MN). Sometimes folks show up for search and rescue with non-adjustable compasses and we have to calculate the difference so we are all the same. Usually we use straight declination and don't add/subtract declination between TN and GN. As a result of your informative video I have had to go back and look at the numbers. Thanks!!!!

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks as always for watching Guy. I'm not a map expert . .but I know what pole the stars rotate around .. !!!!

[@guykerr8111]

@@nightscapeimages.richard All is good. The discussion gives me another reason to have folks learn about declination in case they are doing night sky stuff. One caveat, declination can be west (+) as for you or east (-) for me in western Canada. Keep up the good work!

[@MrJcalais]

I've been aligning my star adventurer 2i with PhotoPills AR Night mode using line of sight sometimes I can get great alignment other times I can't! Recently I was getting three minutes with a 200mm lens then next night I was struggling to get two minutes at 40mm. I think the biggest problem people have is making sure that their tripod is level and on solid ground while being locked down tight even the slightest movement with legs not being locked tight can ruin your alignment

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Yes I think photopills isn't overly accurate . . but it's great at what it's made for. I agree about the stable tripod.

[@gavinheppenstall766]

Happy New Year Richard, great vid as usual. 🖖

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much Gavin, same to you mate.

[@lotus30com]

Awesome video, Richard - thanks for posting it!! I've never had a top-end phone, but I find the compass in the ones I've tried seem to be a bit twitchy. I find a traditional compass works well for blind alignments. I use a Suunto MC-2 model, which has a flip-out cover. I place the cover against the tracker wedge to put some distance between the compass needle and the magnets in the tracker motor. It's worked well for me with wide angles and exposures of a minute or two.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Yes that's what I've found as well. Thanks so much for your insights my friend.

[@mattm3730]

i have used the phone method with my dobsonian 10" telescope to see jupiter, saturn and venus during the day ... eg find the az/alt of the object, use the compass on the phone to set the az, then use a level on the phone to set the altitude, and bam! seeing planets in the middle of the day. i do want to get a star tracker for my canon 80D though one day, so this is very useful information, thank you. ps i use mobile observatory on the android, i know it's not at complex as sky safari, but it does what i need :)

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks for your insights Matt, really appreciated.

[@jeffholmes1362]

Happy New Years Richard. What a simple tool to assist, I’ve never been good at finding south celestial pole, but I never understood the difference between true and magnetic poles either, so now I have something new to learn. I’m blown away by the fact you had visible beams in the Aurora from north Vic. Boxing Day I got beautiful photos at 2am in Tassie, it might have been that night? Thanks for sharing

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks a lot for watching Jeff. I shot the aurora on Friday December 23rd but there have been a couple of events since then as well.

[@astronomylover]

Amazing polar alignment Tips. I don't have a star tracker but when I get one I will Definitely use these tips. I don't really do nightscape photography I do more deep Sky Astrophotography and if I did have a tracker I would have the same problem. Using the phone as a compass always has issues because of interfere with nearby magnets and it changers direction of true north. Amazing Images. Happy New Year.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks again for watching, really appreciated. Happy new year.

[@carlmcneill1139]

I downloaded a compass app to use for my star adventurer for the solar eclipse. I still haven't used the Polar scope yet but I haven't gone out at night either. I had no trouble setting mine up and it tracked the sun from before the eclipse until it ended and never got off. And that was at 550mm. I laid my phone on the battery cover to set mine. The battery cover is flat. Where the battery cover clips into the tracker housing is raised and round. You can push the top of your phone up against that raised section to get it square. Last week I thought of a new way using this method. Lower the declination all the way down to 0 elevation. Your phone will sit flat and level and will be easier to hold in place. Then get the tracker pointed in the right direction. Then you can raise the elevation to where your latitude is. Sometimes there might be yes blocking the stars in the direction you have to use the scope. Or there could be a cliff or clouds blocking your view. It's always good to know how to use a compass to set up in case you can't use the Polar scope. I thought about making a video on how to do this and post it on the sky watcher group we're in.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Sounds like a very good method Carl. Have you noticed any interference issues by holding your phone on the battery compartment of the star adventurer ..??

[@carlmcneill1139]

@nightscapeimages.richard not yet. But this is all so new to me. I'm just trying to find the easiest and most accurate way to do it without the scope just in case I can't see Polaris. I found a flat compass in a store that's on a plastic rectangle. It has a few different magnifying glasses molded in and some other markings. I was looking for something I could glue to the cover. But there's true north and magnetic north. I would have to check with my app as to where true north is and mark it on the compass I want to glue onto the cover. But I don't think I have a good compass. The needle doesn't move very well and you definitely have to have it level for it to work. I'll keep searching for one.

[@davidmorgan6967]

New sub from me my friend. Thank you for all of your hard work. My first star tracker arrived today and I was just looking at it thinking I’ll never get this right

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Very kind of you David. I appreciate your great support.

[@geoffsharpe6456]

Some great ideas here Richard. I like the concept for the NCP using SkySafari 6 Plus combined with the NZ adapter for the Android phone. I always have issues finding Octans with the Star Adventurer. 👍😎👌

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks Geoff. Yes I have never seen Octans .. but I struggle with a lot of eyepieces.

[@nickholt8104]

Thanks Richard I’ve been looking forward to this when you said last week it was due out, I got the polaraligner pro app and when you said it could be used in the southern hemisphere and spent a a day or so thinking how, then it hit me, just align with the north😂I have a phone bracket on an arci Swiss plate that can fit nicely into the tracker mount, I’ll try it out tonight, as for the compass apps, I have two android phones with the same app in both but one is 3 or 4 degrees different than the other so I think I’ll rely on my analogue compass from now on, plus there’s the added bonus of not dropping and breaking the phone😂😂

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Yes good points Nick. I think holding the phone at the right angle is half the battle.

[@davidlee5360]

Awesome video mate. Exactly what I was looking for.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

I'm really pleased it was helpful David.

[@trebor8143]

I did this last night and was able to get 2 minute exposures with no trails at 300mm just fine :) thanks for the tips :)

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

I'm really pleased you're getting good results. Thanks for watching.

[@billmeador215]

Got it almost working...............except I have SkySafari 7 Pro and there is no Compass icon in any of the menus I can find or on the main screen display. Reached out to the publisher, will see what they have to say. Great stuff, keep it coming!

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

A couple of others have had a similar thing Bill. Please let me know what they say about the Compass icon.

[@billmeador215]

@@nightscapeimages.richard Heard from the SkySafari publisher, they say that it is a "missing hardware issue"........odd, their description on the App Store says fully compatible with IOS. I have found that the Augmented Reality mode seems to do the same projection as you show with Android, and I have ordered the alignment adapter you feature from the folks at Sky Labs. When it comes in I will give the alignment with SkySafari a go and let you know how well it works. Many thanks for all your tutorials!

[@billmeador215]

@@nightscapeimages.richard Update from the SkySafari folks.............the Compass button is no longer on the app Toolbar at the bottom.......it is now called the Augmented Reality(AR) button and is located on the top right corner of the app screen...........should work great, does when hand holding, can't wait until my alignment adapter arrives from Sky Labs so I can give it a run. Thanks Again!

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

@@billmeador215 Fantastic Bill. I wonder why they changed that.

[@billmeador215]

@@nightscapeimages.richard No reason given, just that that is where the compass control is now.........streamlining the interface I would guess..............as long as it works, ok. I did notice that the AR button looks like a compass needle, but when you click it it says AR is on......guess they figured users would figure that out on their own.

[@kowalskik.1333]

I thank a lot for this great video and wish a happy new year, too! I also have a Nikon z6II but unfortunetally its not astro modified. So my question is, how many pictures do I need to take (for stacking) to compensate this, to get the same result as with a astro modified camera? Or maybe more pictures would not help and you instead recomend to buy a 12 or 6nm H-alpha filter and combine H-alpha photos with the normal one? (unfortunatelly the Ha filter is very expensive).

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

The astro mod camera allows you to see more of the color spectrum. No matter what filters you put on a standard camera it will never see these colors. But you can still get some great images with a standard camera. The stacking will not bring out more color but it will reduce noise levels.

[@tonyw3250]

I have just come across a different way of aligning the poles in Photopills. If you open the Spot stars section, then open AR (bottom left) from that section, this brings up center cross hairs. You can now point your phone on your star tracker mount to ether pole. My star tracker hasn't arrived yet so I haven't tested it, but it could be something to try

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks for watching Tony. I have found photopills to be not 100% accurate . .but it will get you in the ball park. There are lots of apps on the market but I've found Sky Safari to have the best tools.

[@peterdavis4816]

Excellent tutorial Richard, thanks. I was wondering if you have tried (and possibly discounted) the Photopils 'spot stars' AR function for PA.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much for watching Peter. Yes I have tried the Photopills spot stars function .. it will get you close but it's not very accurate in my testing. The Sky Safari app is far better.

[@celestromel]

Brilliant! Thanks heaps for all this wisdom. Though I can’t quite work out how the PoleMaster works with the phone cradle - not clear to me from the diagrams on their website.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

I've never used a PoleMaster but they do mention an adaptor for the PoleMaster on the bottom of the page but I can't see it anywhere on their website. I'd suggest sending them an email . .I'm sure they'll help you out. The PoleMaster is basically a camera so it needs to see the stars and be connected to a computer to work.

[@AstroOnBudget]

Thanks Richard! Very helpful tips ☺️

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

I really appreciate you watching my friend.

[@PentaxLife]

Happy New Year Richard some great shots there Might have to get that holder and just turn it backwards for the northern has hemisphere it might work.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

It'll work great my friend. Have a wonderful 2023.

[@ericwilkes1840]

Hi Richard, incredibly practical and useful as always (and some stunning images). Had already seen the adaptor from Skylabs and ordered (as you know I am a bit of a gadget guy as well 😊) , reassuring that it does work so well. Love your efforts in the back yard, need to show my wife so she realizes I am not the only one 😂.Have a great new year.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Haha, well we all have to be a little crazy to do what we do Eric ...!!!! Thanks for watching.

[@pescado99]

Thanks for recommending this URL Eric, excellent advice always.

[@gregr5303]

Thanks so much for another info laden video Richard, and love the fact it is local and directly applies to us down under. I tried a similar method using Photopills spot stars but found my results very inconsistent. Is there a specific reason you use Sky Safari 6 (or is that just what you have available)? Looking in the app store I see both version 6 and 7 available at the same price. All the best to you and your family in 2023.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks a lot for watching Greg. I think the standard version of Sky Safari may not have all the tools I mentioned in the video. I'm using Sky Safari 6 Plus. I've not used version 7 but I've read that there isn't a lot of difference. The Pro versions are pretty expensive.

[@menglandau]

Another tip and I'm not sure if it can be done on an Android phone, but on my iphone I can set it up to zoom in on the celestial pole. This allows even more accuracy as the small pole area on the phone is magnified.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

That's a great tip .. Yes I can zoom in on android with Sky Safari.

[@dhg1960]

Hi Richard, thanks for another interesting video. I was very interested in the phone adapter, in europe we don't seem to have anything likke it. As a result I ordered one immediately. I loved the photos you posted, the z6a seems awesome, one day I will have to dig deep in my pockets. Having said this, I think the z6a is more interesting than the z9, I tried one out from a friend but couldn't justify the price for my needs. A Happy New Year to you and your family.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much for watching my friend. Yes I think the Z6 is an amazing camera . .I certainly don't feel a need to get a Z9. I hope you have a wonderful 2023.

[@robertleeimages]

Happy new year Richard 🎉

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Happy new year to you also Rob.

[@andysuzierawlins5462]

Great images Richard, fab work as usual from a master photographer. Happy New year to you and your family. Thanks for the video. I use a green laser pointed through the polar scope at polaris, NH has some advantages, lol, keep being awesome..... I'll keep working on my editing ;-)

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks as always for watching Suzie. Laser's are banned here in Australia . .and there isn't a pole star to point it at anyway ..!!!!

[@andysuzierawlins5462]

@@nightscapeimages.richard no lasers, that's unfortunate. Then your method is genius;-)

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

@@andysuzierawlins5462 Even if we did have lasers there isn't a star to point it to.

[@andysuzierawlins5462]

@@nightscapeimages.richard the only advantage of the Nh, lol

[@davidburchettephotography6513]

And the same to you Richard! Here's hoping we get to see a lot of beautiful, interesting, and informative astrophotography from you this coming year sir. And that we all go out and try to hone our skills further. Thanks so much for all you do!

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks for your ongoing support David, it's really appreciated.

[@AndrewTerhorst]

Nice video. Thanks. The Skylabs Mount is pretty expensive. I may repurpose the declination bracket to do the same thing.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks for watching Andrew. Yes a lot of people have taken the idea and made something themselves. The best idea is to not use metal though.

[@carlreid4161]

Happy New Year Richard the method works well using a wooden block 👍

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Haha, well we have to use whatever we have on hand Carl. Thanks for watching.

[@Byaltair]

Great video Richard, and thanks for sharing!! 👍🏼 Happy New Year and clear skies in 2023!😊 Btw, what's the green glow @19:27 photo , from a distant Aurora?🤔

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much for watching. No that green is air glow .. probably mixed with a little light pollution.

[@Byaltair]

@@nightscapeimages.richard thanks again! 👍🏼

[@anthward1972]

Brilliant!!!

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Thanks so much for watching

[@mahook]

hoping to do some astro photo this christmas in blue mountains this video was very helpful

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

I'm really pleased you found it helpful Max. Appreciate you watching.