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Old 04-12-2008, 12:56 PM
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dugnsuz (Doug)
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Webcam autoguiding - bloated bright stars?

Hello all,
When using my Phillips 800k webcam to autoguide I note that all the brighter stars are hugely bloated and won't come to pinpoint focus suitable to use for guiding. I assume this is because the sensor on the webcam has no filters in place.

Question - can I rectify this by using a UV/IR filter. I think(! - haven't looked!!) that the Mogg webcam 1.25" adapter is threaded for filters

Anyone done this??

cheers
Doug
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  #2  
Old 04-12-2008, 01:01 PM
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Answer Doug No, but when I was using the Phillips 840k, it was the same as you have said, so I chose middle range Stars which seemed to do the job nicely. but that is only MHO.

Leon
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Old 04-12-2008, 01:07 PM
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[1ponders] (Paul)
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Doug if your stars are bloated then lower your exposure setting. What are you using to autoguide with? PHD?
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Old 04-12-2008, 03:54 PM
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dugnsuz (Doug)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by [1ponders] View Post
Doug if your stars are bloated then lower your exposure setting. What are you using to autoguide with? PHD?
Yes, PHD
I just use the bog standard settings with 0.2s exp (instead of the 1.0s default) from the menu on the main PHD window.

To give you an idea, Canopus at sharpest focus was as big as a 5cent coin on the PHD window.
Like leon, I avoid these stars and go for smaller user friendly ones, just wanted to extend my options.
Doug
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Old 04-12-2008, 04:23 PM
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[1ponders] (Paul)
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Somethin' definitely not right there. I use the ToUcam 840 and have np getting nice tight stars.
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Old 04-12-2008, 04:53 PM
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Me too, although I have of late used the QHY5.
Tight stars all the way, and try cutting back the exposure time.
When I used a non-modded ToUcam they were fine.
Gary
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Old 04-12-2008, 04:53 PM
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Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)
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Doug - have you opened up the PHB "brain" and reduced the camera gain? I think it defaults to something like 80% - so turn it right down to maybe 40 and try again. Have you also tried adjusting screen gamma in sync with this? I know these are silly and obvious questions...
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Old 04-12-2008, 05:08 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Omaroo View Post
Doug - have you opened up the PHB "brain" and reduced the camera gain? I think it defaults to something like 80% - so turn it right down to maybe 40 and try again. Have you also tried adjusting screen gamma in sync with this? I know these are silly and obvious questions...
No, no they're not Chris!!!
Thanks for the info - I'm a bit of a luddite with some of these programs.
"Push button" - if it works I stick with just pushing the button!!!
I'll have a look at the advanced settings and see if I can get some tighter stars. Thanks for the advice.
Doug
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Old 04-12-2008, 05:15 PM
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Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)
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Sorry Doug - forgot to mention that screen gamma is controlled with the slider next to old brainy - it just isn't labelled.
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Old 04-12-2008, 05:19 PM
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dugnsuz (Doug)
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Sorry Doug - forgot to mention that screen gamma is controlled with the slider next to old brainy - it just isn't labelled.
Now that one I did know!!
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Old 04-12-2008, 05:43 PM
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Or wind back the exposure time a little with the drop down menu
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Old 04-12-2008, 05:59 PM
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Or wind back the exposure time a little with the drop down menu
G'Day Gary! I finally got me a QHY5 too - a nice bright blue one to match the ring on the FS102. LOL! Great camera, and way cheaper than the Orion Autoguider. Doug, if you want to get into guiding more, the QHY5 is a super little investment. Highly recommended!
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Old 05-12-2008, 12:09 AM
Karls48 (Karl)
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I have to concur with Omaro. Since I got QGuider some months ago I have loaded the software, plugged one cable into HEQ5 and other to the laptop and it just - well works. No problems, no adjusting , no mucking around with it. It is switch it on and forget it guiding for me
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Old 05-12-2008, 02:29 AM
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I guess your using PHD to guide .. Enlarge the search region. It makes the green box around the star bigger. I had to bang it up the other night while guiding on venus. The box wouldn't turn green until I enlarged it. On the other hand, reducing the box tightens up guiding on a dim star.
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