Drift alignment ( getting the longest exposure possible with precise polar alignment )

This video is about drift alignment. It’s primarily targeted at folks with lower end eq mounts. If you don’t have an autoguiding port this video will greatly benefit you. The drift alignment method is the most precise way to polar align a mount. This will be very effective for piggy backing, manual guiding, and pc assisted manual guiding. I struggled with recording it live but then discovered an ingenious way to represent star motion using paper cut outs. I hope this inspires you and you try it. You can thank me later. Clear skies.

[rfanidis]

I can't stress how much of a lifesaver this tutorial was for me. Ever since I got my motorized EQ mount I could hardly get 20seconds of exposure without trailing. Using your method I was blown away by being able to achieve 30 second subs with round looking stars.

[kevinmurphy]

This is the clearest explanation of how to carry out a drift alignment that I have come across. Well done and thank you.

[dankahraman]

Good teaching is better than bells and whistles. Very well done.

[theinterstellarfeller]

Thank you for taking the time to explain this. My apartment building blocks polaris so I’m thinking of trying this out. Love the visuals, they were great!

[tooter]

Thank you and thank you. This is an amazing tutorial. Yeah old school, but so what. Really nice job.

[nubs]

Thank you, this is the best drift alignment tutorial there is!

[michaellovell]

Awesome video. I've been obsessed with AP for few months now and had no idea what drift align meant. Now I understand what it is. THANK YOU.

[DallyAck]

This was a great explanation of how to drift align. I've been reading so many "how to's" and found them extremely confusing. You made it so easy to understand. Great video! Thank you!!

[tskyrocket]

I love that you show polar alignment without a computer or an app! Thanks.

[erikswenson]

This is great. The on paper explanation is a great way to quickly demonstrate what needs to be observed. More people might watch the whole video if you cut out the first 4 minutes or so.

[nullpointerworks]

Your video with the stardrift visual aid helped me get a better understanding of the star path compared to me telescope tracking path. When these paths dont align it would make the target star drift north or south. My scope must be tracking a bit ahead or in front of the actual path my scope should be tracking. Adjusting the azimuth would place the two tracking paths right on top of eachother. 👍Thanks a lot. Clear skies!

[mkevilempire]

Thank you for your explanation, will try this out next time

[joeshmoe]

Ah the good old days, of film and manual guiding. My scope is the classic Celestron C-8 orange tube.
I couldn't afford Celestron's guider control, but with knowledge in electronics I modded the 12v to 120v power supply (used to run the drive motors from car battery when away from 120V)

It used a 555 Timer Chip to create a 60HZ square wave at an amplified 120V. Altering resistors in the 555 circuit change the frequency output a few HZ and sped up or slowed down the motors.

I never did get out to do any of the deep sky objects I was dreaming about, but did get the Hale Bopp comet
with a SLR/90mm piggy backed on the C-8. 12mm eyepiece in the scope with homemade cross hair (literally my own hair glued across the inside of the eyepiece) I guided for exposures of 5-10 minutes. 8 minutes turned out to be good, and the stars were pretty round. Shot on Kodak Royal 1000. Good Times.

Now I have a DSLR /300mm telephoto and a Star Adventurer tracker. Get decent shots, but wanted to
check out drift alignment for better tracking long exposures. Also want to get the old C-8 back out and
with much higher magnification accurate polar alignment will be critical.

Thanks for your explanation. Cheers

[ioannemes]

Great video ! Congratulations. Have not use this methot yet but after watching your video i am curious to try it !

[JenhamsAstro]

Hi Garnett, excellent explanation, and your props are way more sophisticated than my cardboard NCP arrow!

[handwrittenjello]

Thank you for the information. The history was the best part. I loved it!

[ajword]

Pertaining to the subject:
Best. Video. Ever. At least for guys like me. That diagram was it!

[gregorymckenna]

A great visual with the low tech ridicule! All other videos I have seen demonstrate this with an actual polar scope. It is dark and hard to see on the screen. Your video is perfect in demonstrating what needs to be done. Keep up the good work. I have just subscribed.

[jefflucas_life]

I appreciate the effort at time index 7:00 how it is important to grasp, understand drift aligning before moving onto computer assist Astro programs - great video! At first, I thought you were held hostage for ransom on some maritime ship. lol

[I_Spaced_Out]

Wow. Once again, when it's not possible to show what's really going on - you still find a way to knock an explanation out of the ball park!