Ad Astra Observatory

I have noticed that I have to run multiple iterations of Polar Axis Correction to get it right. Last time out, I had to run it about 3 or 4 times, plus rebuild the pointing model in between.

Art found is that if he uses the Polar Scope, the iterations are reduced. He runs PAC 5 to 15 times. Anything higher than five allows him to image unguided up to 600 sec without guiding. With guiding he gets 0.0 type behavior in the X Y correction. Which is right on with pin point stars.

I was a bit incredulous of this answer; he rebuilds a 10-star pointing model 5 to 15 times in a single
session? Granted, I was centering very carefully at 200x; normally, I just center in the middle of the viewfinder of the camera, which is accurate enough for a regular ol’ pointing model. I was using a reticle in the SCT (highest magnification). Yes, my finder scopes are not exactly lined up; that could have slowed me down a little, maybe added 33% to the total time. But I rebuilt my model 4 times, that’s about 40 stars, and it took me 3 hours. I can’t conceive of how many nights it would take me to center 150 stars.

Are he not rebuilding your pointing model in between? What does his polar alignment workflow look like?