12 13
Note: The default camera gain is 95%. After you are done using
the camera during the day, change the gain back to 95% to retain
the high sensitivity of the camera.
6. In the Exposure Selection pull down menu, select 0.05 s.
7. Click the Looping Exposures icon to begin taking continuous pic-
tures.
8. Gradually move the telescope focus inward until you get a sharp
image on your computer screen (Figure 8). The SSAG focuses
approximately 15mm inward from a standard 1.25" eyepiece. On
most refractors, a 1.25" extension tube (available from Orion) is usu-
ally needed to reach focus. Alternatively, you can use a star diago-
nal. Note the approximate position of your focuser where the SSAG
reached focus on your guidescope to make the same task at night
much easier.
9. Experiment with the Gamma Adjustment as needed to see a high
contrast image. The Gamma Adjustment during the day will likely
need to be different at night, but you should become familiar with
this adjustment before you setup at night.
Start Autoguiding
The SSAG with the use of PHD Guiding software makes the task of
autoguiding simple and easy to setup. The calibration and guiding is
automatic once you initially find and focus a guide star. Your telescope
must first be prepared for astro-imaging. Make sure your mount is
polar aligned well. Your guide scope should be securely attached to
your main imaging scope; or if you are using a Schmidt-Cassegrain,
the off-axis guider and main camera should already be attached to the
telescope.
Note: Autoguiding can correct for a mount that is poorly polar
aligned. However the image will be harder to initially locate and
center since it will still drift away from the camera’s field of view.
Additionally, guiding with a poor polar alignment will eventually
cause field rotation in a long exposure image.
1. Locate, center and focus the celestial object you wish to image
with your CCD or DSLR camera in your main imaging scope. Once
you have centered the desired object, it is important to make sure
the tracking on your mount is engaged so you don’t lose the object
before the guiding starts.
2. Using a low power 1.25" eyepiece, locate and center a fairly bright
star in your guide scope. Do not move the main imaging scope or
your object will be lost! As stated in “System Requirements”, we rec-
ommend using adjustable guide scope tube rings to allow indepen-
dent movement of the guide scope.
3. Remove the eyepiece and insert the SSAG into your guide scope.
4. Plug the SSAG into your computer’s USB port and connect the
autoguider cable from the SSAG to your mount’s autoguide port.
Load PHD Guiding on your computer.
5. Click the Connect to Camera icon and select the StarShoot
AutoGuider.
6. In the Exposure Selection pull down menu, select 2.0 s (Figure 9).
7. Click on the Looping Exposures icon to begin continuously taking
pictures.
8. Gradually move the focus inward on your guide scope until you see
the star come into focus. As you get close to focused, the camera
Figure 8. Gradually move the focuser inward until you have a clear daytime
image on your computer screen.
To Next Page
Loading...
Need help?
General
