Track & Accumulate with webcams?

[davewaldo]

Hi Everyone,

I'm keen to get into some astro imaging but not necessarily to make "pretty pictures". I'm wanting to use a really sensitive camera to assist visual observations and to track down faint planets, comets, galaxies etc.

I've seen that Sbig cameras offer "track and Accumulate" which gives an almost realtime image of your target. This looks great, but the cameras are quite expensive. Also I see the Gstar does this too but I don't like the AV video system it uses. I'd prefer to use a usb camera like a DMK.

I'm wondering if there is any way to track and accumulate with a webcam or DMK camera?

I've tried DSO imaging in the past with auto-guiding and my DSLR but I'm not too fussed on all the hassles and time involved. I'm not looking to create works of art, I just want to be able to visualise tough targets and perhaps locate some great targets like Denis often posts on this site (See his posts in Solar System Imaging).

Any suggestions welcome.

My gear is listed in my signature, but I'm also curious if a track and accumulate setup would also work on an LX200 alt/az mount.

Cheers,

David.

[davewaldo]

For instance, here is an image I'd love to be able to quickly achieve.

This uses the Sbig st-7 track and accumulate. 4x30s exposures. 8in scope. So I'm guessing that once set up, an image like this only takes 2 mins to see on the laptop screen.

[Insane Climber]

Hello, i have tried this sort of thing. Mainly because my sight suffers a bit and squinting through the eyepiece really aint good. I have had some success with a webcam and the free software Astrosnap, But nothing like the image you showed. Just thought i would mention it because i believe that astrospap can control an Atik 161. it can also guide.

Cheers
J.Green

[renormalised]

Dave, grab yourself one of these....GStar EX...from MyAstroShop (http://www.myastroshop.com.au/products/gstarcam.asp). Really good little camera for what you're wanting one for, and it's real time imaging, or near enough to being real time.

[davewaldo]

Thanks Jason, Astrosnap looks quite interesting however I can't find a list of supported cameras. I don't suppose you would have examples of images from your use of the software? What camera are you using?

Thanks Carl, I've been trying to steer away from the Gstar as it requires video capture due to its RCA out rather than USB. The Gstar does some good work but I think I'm looking for something a little higher quality. I'm starting to think the sbig ST-7 might be the only way to go...

I'd love to hear from anyone with an opinion on this topic. :thumbsup:

Dave.

[bmitchell82]

just a thought, DSS (Deep Sky Stacker) does this, it has a live view, stack system, it doesn't Track, i thought meade where the only ones to do this, but its useless with long exposures, even that of 2-10 seconds unless you have a low PE mount namely AP, Tak ect ect.

[peter_4059]

Dave -try a DSI II pro - I'm happy to demonstrate if you want to see one in action.

Peter