My new star tracker arrived the same day as a total lunar eclipse.

I had to pick between setting it up for the first time or just using my tripod to shoot the moon. I went with the tracker and spent two hours fighting with polar alignment while the eclipse happened. Anyone have a good guide for a quick polar alignment in a city yard?

2 comments

2 Comments

tyler_hernandez22d ago

Honestly you made the right call. That tracker is a long term investment. Missing one eclipse to learn a tool you'll use for years is smart. The moon will be there next time, but nailing polar alignment now means way better Milky Way shots all summer. Plus, fighting with gear in the dark is basically an astrophotography rite of passage. You'll laugh about this later.

max_foster22d agoTop Commenter

Nah man, missing a real eclipse for gear practice is wild. That's a once in years event you can't get back, but you can practice alignment any clear night. The memory of seeing it beats a slightly better star photo later, lol.