Drift alignment is a method that uses the apparent movement of stars to fine-tune your mount’s polar alignment with high precision.
Here’s how it works:
- Point your telescope at a star near the meridian and celestial equator.
- Watch for any drift north or south in the eyepiece over several minutes.
- Adjust the mount’s azimuth to correct this drift.
- Next, point near the eastern or western horizon and observe drift again.
- Adjust the mount’s altitude accordingly.
This method is more time-consuming but essential for astrophotographers seeking the sharpest images with minimal star trails.
