Why is my mount not synchronized with the Sky Map?
For mounts to report their coordinates correctly and in sky with where they are really pointing the sky requires the following conditions to be met:
- Accurate time and time zone: This is usually automatically set by the StellarMate App. If not using the App, ensure the time is correct.
- Accurate location: This is usually automatically set by the StellarMate App. If not using the App, ensure the location is correct. Please note INDI uses 0 to +360 for longitude. For example, if your longitude is -85 degrees, this would be (-85+360 = 275 degrees) in INDI. Therefore, do not manually change the longitude as it is usually correct.
- Starting Position: Mount is powered up in its manufacturer's recommended home or park position.
Depending on whethet the mount is Alt-Az or Equatorial, the starting home position can be different, but in general:
- Alt-Az: Telescope level with horizon pointing North (Azimuth zero, North Hemisphere) or South (Azimuth 180, Southern Hemisphere).
- Equatorial: Counter-weights down with telescope pointing directly at the celestial pole.
Some mounts require preliminary alignment and settings via the hand-controller first before they can report any valid positions back to StellarMate. Refer to your mount manual for more details.
After initial connection, slew to mount to a nearby star at least 20-30 degrees away from the celestial pole then plate-solve with StellarMate to synchronize the moutn.
Never Synchronize the mount manually near the celestial poles as this would invalidate the mount's internal pointing.