[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by Pazuzu

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1) Celestron has a built in polar alignment aid, called "All Star Polar Alignment" or ASPA. Search "Celestron ASPA" for instructions, but basically you sync on 6 stars to begin with by hand, it then calculates the polar error. It them moves to where a star *should* be if corrected, and you move the mount (not the scope) to recenter the star. That'll get you within a few arcminutes, maybe tighter if you do it twice.

2) Plate solving, using one of many free or cheap programs, like Sharpcap ($10 per year for the full edition with polar solving). You need a wide field imaging scope and a good view of the polar area. 1 arcminute once you get good at it.

3) Drift alignment, either by hand or using software. PhD is free, and can communicate with your camera and your mount. Drift alignment will get you within arcceconds of the pole, if you put enough time in. We used drift alignment to polar align the professional scopes, comparing images an hour apart and moving the scope over several nights, iteratively getting better and better. I use this at my shop because I cannot see the polar region.

6 stars? Thanks I haven't heard of that. I usually do 2 star with manual centering with the scope not the mount. Interesting I'll give it a read.