Manual GoTo with smartphone (and/or compass and inclinometer):

Manual GoTo with a smartphone (and/or compass and clinometer):

Do you sometimes find yourself unable to see the object for all the stars?
Despite some experience, as a purely visual observer, locating some objects isn't that easy. Therefore, I often considered a GoTo mount, but for me, as a weight-optimized observer, this wasn't the ideal solution. The tip regarding analog setting circles (thanks to Mr. Kloss for the help!) was the springboard for what I consider the perfect solution for manual GoTo.
How does manual GoTo work?
The basic idea is to simply align the tube to the target coordinates of the desired object. Suitable coordinates for this are the azimuth (0-360 degrees) and altitude (0-90 degrees). The azimuth of a celestial body is only valid for a specific time and a specific location on the Earth's surface.
What do you need for this?
To do this, you need the azimuth and altitude information for the desired location and observation time. While this specific information wasn't available "in the open field" at the push of a button in the past, it's now available from apps like Sterne 3d (free) or StarmapPro (paid). This is the crucial step. Not only can I scan the starry sky on the screen for corresponding objects, but I can also find the desired alt/azimuth information for the objects right away. With the Compass and Inclinometer apps (free from Schiefer Tools), adjustment is child's play.
What do I have to do?
Using the apps mentioned above, select the desired object and read off the coordinates. Then place the smartphone against the tube and align the tube. The dovetail rail or other flat surfaces aligned with the tube may be suitable for this. First, in the direction of azimuth, then in the direction of altitude. With an eyepiece with a wide field of view, the desired object is usually immediately recognizable. That's it.
I hope it helps you as much as it helped me—have fun and CS!
Bernhard

 

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