Apart from the most reliable app for polar alignment (with or without a polar scope), PS Align pro has become the astronomer's swiss-army knife with all the tools added over the years. Remember, all features & updates are free forever, the only in-app purchases are donations (tip jar). Polar Scope Align will calculate the position of Polaris or σ Octantis in your Polar Scope reticle for your location (using your phone's GPS or manually), allowing a quick and accurate polar alignment. It is one of the few programs that are accurate in lower latitudes by correcting for atmospheric refraction (so expect results to agree only with precise software and not most simplistic "polar align" apps - see the "Accuracy" section in help for details). In the settings you can select the polar scope reticle that matches your own, from a vast collection: iOptron old & new, Astro-Physics RAPAS & PASILL, various versions of Takahashi EM-10/11/200/400/500, NJP, PM-1, P2-Z, the latest Orion / Skywatcher, the Classic Skywatcher / Orion / Celestron / Meade / EXOS2 / Bresser, the Telrad, Rigel QuikFinder, a couple for Astrotrac / Losmandy / Kenko / Avalon, the Vixen PF-L/Atlux/SX/SXD/SXP/AXD/GP/GP-DX/Polarie Polar Axis Scopes, a Konus and several Polar Finders: Tuthill, Explore Scientific 8x50, Meade 9x60, Vixen Polaris, Celestron 7x50, Carton Optical. PoleMaster help view for South Hemisphere users. If you have one not included, just ask the developer to add it! Feature list: -Accurate calculation of Polaris or Sigma Oct for any date and location, including effect of atmospheric refraction (and annual aberration, nutation). Most other apps do not perform precision calculations, so please only compare app readings to accurate sources (USNO, scientific software etc). -Use device time/date/location, or enter your own, or pick from online & offline world databases via the Location Manager. -Approximate daytime / no polarscope polar alignment tool. Great for visual use, solar imaging (inc. eclipses) and even limited short focal length astrophotography. Now with sun shadow calibration for more accuracy! -Laser / Hop Align for nighttime alignment using a calibration star for obstructed or not visible polar star, or for improving laser align. -Full app in red-color (or alternative green, white) night mode - tools switchable to daytime view. -Deep Space Object (DSO) Database with 22000+ objects from several catalogs (Messier, Caldwell, NGC, IC, Herschell 400, Sharpless 2, Barnard), along with stars (Yale Bright Star) & planets. Search, apply filters, sorting, download DSS color images for all items, or get help finding them with your non-goto telescope with the Push-To function. -Connect to and control WiFi-enabled iOptron mounts. -Over 30 calculators useful for observing and astrophotography, from eyepiece magnification and field of view, to imaging resolution and reducers. -Xasteria: World astro-weather report based on multiple sources, including 7Timer. -Solar Eclipse Calculator / Simulator -Water vapor satellite images. -List of visible ISS and bright satellite passes. -Moon phase & lunar Calendar with solar/lunar rise/set and twilight times. -Wizard to calculate your reticle centering offset and correct or compensate for it. -Zoomable reticle view and customized routines & tools: Alt-az alignment error display for mounts that calculate it after star alignment (e.g. iOptron iEQ45, CEM60), polar alignment when your scope is not in zero position (for mounts like iOptron ZEQ/CEM on which you can always access the polar scope), remember zero position on Celestron / Skywatcher / Orion etc reticles. -Bubble level (using either gyro or accelerometer) and Compass heading, as well as magnetic declination reading. -GPS accuracy & elevation data. -Red/White/LED light. -Dimming slider. -iOptron, NexStar and Meade LX200 Star Lists. -Support for iPhone & iPad from iOS 9 (and iPod Touch, except tools that require the compass).
PS Align Pro
Great application!
Virtual alignment with Polar star
As for a 5 year review of the virtual polar alignment, I have had a better experience. My mount is the EM-11 temma 3 Takahashi and I suspect it has an aluminum body. Even that compass was deflected by the mount proxy, however I attach my iPhone to the mount body and aligned it as programmed. I spot the moon which is obviously the largest celestial object (30” arc minutes) and the mount sat still for 30 minutes perfectly on target without drifting at a magnification 75 times
Compass isn’t accurate
I’m trying to use something to help me polar align during the day for the eclipse and I tested it at night and Polaris was well off
Use this app every session
This is a fantastic app. I use it every imaging session to polar align my SkyGuider Pro. It is super easy to use.
IOptron SkyTracker
Looks like a perfect match for my iOptron SkyTracker. I was looking for something to replace their tool and foud this
The Swiss Army Knife for Astronomers
I have this App and finally dug into it and use it like a multi-purpose tool. It has so much packed inside- you won’t believe it! I had to send the developer a Tip $. If you need help with polar alignment, weather, DSO information, etc.. its here.
Good stuff
Works as it should
Apr 10, 2024
Apr 9, 2024
Apr 8, 2024
- Added Alt-Az Field Rotation calculator. - Barlow/Reducer option added to 6 calculators (Eyepiece Magnification, Eyepiece Projection Focal Length, FoV for Imaging System, Actual Size of Lunar View, Eyepiece Field of View, Arcsec/px for Imaging System). - Updated Sat24 and Clear Sky Chart locations for Xasteria Weather.
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