V1.6.29 - Updates

- Polaris RA now only needs to be changed/maintained in OpenAstroTracker.ino.

Author: ClutchplateDude

Software/Arduino code/OpenAstroTracker/OpenAstroTracker.ino

@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 */
 #include "Globals.h"
 
-String version = "V1.6.28";
+String version = "V1.6.29";
 
 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 // Please see the Globals.h file for configuration of the firmware.
@@ -69,10 +69,10 @@ float DECStepperDownLimit = 10000;    // Going much more than this will make the
 float DECStepperUpLimit = -22000;     // Going much more than this is going below the horizon.
 
 // These values are needed to calculate the current position during initial alignment.
-int PolarisRAHour = 21;
-int PolarisRAMinute = 2;
-int PolarisRASecond = 25;
-// You get these values by calculating 24h minus the current (not J2000) RA of Polaris.
+int PolarisRAHour = 2;
+int PolarisRAMinute = 58;
+int PolarisRASecond = 0;
+// Use something like Stellarium to look up the RA of Polaris in JNow (on date) variant.
 // This changes slightly over weeks, so adjust every couple of months.
-// This value is from 27.Nov.19, I suggest next adjustment in mid 2020
+// This value is from 18.Apr.2020, next adjustment suggested at end 2020
 // The same could be done for the DEC coordinates but they dont change significantly for the next 5 years

Software/Arduino code/OpenAstroTracker/b_setup.ino

@@ -35,7 +35,9 @@ void setup() {
 
   // Configure the mount
   // Set the global HA correction
-  mount.setHACorrection(PolarisRAHour, PolarisRAMinute, PolarisRASecond);
+  DayTime polaris = DayTime(24,0,0);
+  polaris.subtractTime(DayTime(PolarisRAHour, PolarisRAMinute, PolarisRASecond));
+  mount.setHACorrection(polaris.getHours(), polaris.getMinutes(), polaris.getSeconds());
 
   // Set the stepper motor parameters
   mount.configureRAStepper(FULLSTEP, RAmotorPin1, RAmotorPin2, RAmotorPin3, RAmotorPin4, RAspeed, RAacceleration);

Software/Arduino code/OpenAstroTracker/c722_menuPOI.ino

@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ struct PointOfInterest {
 PointOfInterest pointOfInterest[] = {
   //    Name (15chars)    RA (hms)     DEC (dms)
   //  012345678901234
-  { ">Polaris"        ,  2, 57, 56,   89, 21,  2 },
+  { ">Polaris"        ,  PolarisRAHour, PolarisRAMinute, PolarisRASecond,  89, 21,  2 },
   { ">Big Dipper"     , 12, 16, 26,   56, 55,  7 },
   { ">M31 Andromeda"  ,  0, 43, 52,   41, 22, 53 },
   { ">M42 Orion Nbula",  5, 36, 18,   -5, 22, 44 },

Software/Arduino code/OpenAstroTracker/c76_menuCAL.ino

@@ -93,12 +93,12 @@ bool processCalibrationKeys() {
 
           // Move the RA to that of Polaris. Moving to this RA aligns the DEC axis such that
           // it swings along the line between Polaris and the Celestial Pole.
-          mount.targetRA() = DayTime(2, 57, 56); // This is Polaris RA.
+          mount.targetRA() = DayTime(PolarisRAHour, PolarisRAMinute, PolarisRASecond); 
           // Account for the current settings.
           mount.targetRA().addTime(mount.getHACorrection());
           mount.targetRA().subtractTime(mount.HA());
 
-          // Now set DEC to move to Polaris
+          // Now set DEC to move to Home position
           mount.targetDEC() = DegreeTime(90 - (NORTHERN_HEMISPHERE ? 90 : -90), 0, 0);
           mount.startSlewingToTarget();
         } else if (key == btnRIGHT) {