Polar Scope Align is a free, ad-supported polar alignment app for iPhone and iPad.
It calculates the position of Polaris or σ Octantis in your polar scope reticle for your location, date and time, helping you get a quick and accurate polar alignment with an equatorial mount.
POLAR SCOPE ALIGNMENT
• Accurate Polaris and Sigma Octantis position for your date and location
• Atmospheric refraction correction for better accuracy, especially at lower latitudes - readings may differ slightly from simpler apps that skip this correction, but will agree with precise sources (USNO, scientific software)
• Automatic time and location
• Manual location support
• Reticle centering-error measurement and correction
• Zero-position help for common Celestron / Sky-Watcher / Orion style reticles
• Full red night-mode interface
SUPPORTED RETICLES
Polar Scope Align supports 35+ polar scope and finder reticle types, including:
iOptron, Astro-Physics RAPAS & PASILL, Takahashi (EM-10/11/200/400/500, NJP, PM-1, P2-Z), Sky-Watcher / Orion (including EQ6/AZ-EQ and Star Adventurer), Celestron, Meade, EXOS2, Bresser, Vixen (Atlux/SX/SXD/SXP/AXD/GP/GP-DX, Polarie), Astrotrac, Losmandy, Kenko, Avalon, Konus, Telrad, Rigel QuikFinder, and several older polar finders (Tuthill, Explore Scientific, Meade 9x60, Vixen Polaris, Celestron 7x50, Carton Optical).
OBSERVING TOOLS
The free version also includes:
• Moon phase
• Messier, Caldwell and bright-star database
• DSS image downloads for included database objects
• Saved, editable and printable DSO lists
• 8 astronomy calculators for observing and imaging
• Sample Pro tools available from Settings, including aurora forecast
• iOptron WiFi Connect - report mount status, set mount Time/Date/Location
LOOKING FOR ALIGNMENT WITHOUT A POLAR SCOPE?
Polar Scope Align Pro adds the advanced tools many users search for:
• Daytime / No Polar Scope Alignment
• Camera Azimuth Calibration using the Sun, Moon, planets or bright stars
• Laser / Hop Align for night alignment when Polaris is blocked
• Push To / manual GoTo for non-GoTo telescopes
• Live sky maps for Daytime Alignment, Laser / Hop Align, Push To and Hop To
• Full 22,000+ object DSO database
• Xasteria astro weather, aurora, satellite passes and widgets
• 30+ calculators
• Bubble level, compass and iOptron WiFi mount control
• Apple Watch companion app
• No ads
If you only need accurate polar-scope alignment, this free version is a capable tool. If you want alignment without a polar scope, observing planning, weather and field tools, Pro is the complete version.
I originally downloaded to confirm my polar alignment on my EQ mount. I do not have a polar scope but thought I’d still give it a look. I was so impressed by all the extra features this app contains that it found it way into almost nightly use. The easy to navigate design and clean interface make for quick and efficient use in the dark. There’s also more amazing calculators than I can count on two hands. I don’t think I can offer enough gratitude for such and all inclusive celestial lovers app nor can I offer enough praise to the devs. You won’t regret purchasing the Pro app. Get it now and enjoy it this evening!
Developer Response
Thanks for the enthusiastic review! If you enjoy the extra features you might be interested in trying new ones out before they are released - just use the contact page on the app website to ask about it.
Finally aligned perfectly with a few extra steps.
:$'
If you are not properly polar aligned everything else fails. I had a hard time doing this with my polar scope before I found this app. Open the app, pick your location and it will show you where Polaris is supposed to be. I have the EQR-6 pro mount with a polar scope so i used the alt and azimuth bolts to match it with this app. 2 Star aligned, then alignment polar which gives you Mel and maz errors then adjust according to the hand controller. I did this a few times and now my errors read 000’00”00. First time ever! I can take 5 minute exposures without a guide scope.
Use It Every Session
AstroPat45
I have been using this app to roughly polar align my mount at the beginning of every astrophotography imaging session for over a year. After this I fine-tune my alignment with SharpCap, and I have found that I am very rarely over 5 arc-minutes out of alignment using this app and usually under 2. The app also conveniently displays all time and location data needed for GoTo mounts.And yes there are zero popup ads!This app is a huge timesaver for my AP setup routine and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Very clever and useful
AstroZamboni
Thoughtfully designed app packed with unexpected and useful features. Really surprising depth for a free app like this, and the inclusion of tips for getting more accurate polar alignment out of old-fashioned Celestron/Skywatcher/Orion alignment scopes is extremely helpful. The battery saving features with the temporary "force GPS" mode is extremely clever. Also much better night vision friendly app design than even a lot of much more expensive astronomy apps. Kudos on every front.
• DSO Database: new Double / Multiple Stars category.
• iOptron WiFi Connect:
◦ Support for all the newer mounts (HAE, HAZ, HEM and others)
◦ Set mount time/date/location
Remember, the app never nags you with popups, so it gets very few ratings/reviews. Support it by rating it!
Version 7.1
The developer, Dimitrios Kechagias, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .
Data Used to Track You
The following data may be used to track you across apps and websites owned by other companies:
Identifiers
Data Not Linked to You
The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:
Identifiers
Usage Data
Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More
Accessibility
The developer has not yet indicated which accessibility features this app supports. Learn More
