Pulled my 8” Newt apart for the second time and examined my focuser and made more precise measurements of bits and pieces and collimated it all. Sadly the laser spot still dances across the primary as I rack the focuser in. It is most noticeable where I don’t use the focuser so that’s probably okay... ? It seems more to do with the internals of the focuser itself?
Realized that with the 3.8 pixel size of my ZWO camera I probably am tending towards oversampling at times in poor seeing which it seems throws emphasis back on the mount and guiding. Already we’ll overweight I get the feeling that without a permanent setup I am fighting the odds a bit. Still I am determined to find a way.
Last night It was the computer that rerouted my best intentions - files not saving in SGP, autofocus giving me odd lopsided V curves (one side much lower than the other?), drift alignment in PHD seemed to take forever, finding stars in the Off Axis Guider was problematic at times when looking North, aborted sequences or plate solving stalled requiring a reboot... endless it seemed. I did however get two shots to test the realigned and collimated scope. The stars are getting better I think although not perfect by any means. Perhaps the best I can hope for now (given patience and a lack of time). Amazed by the camera and the 5nm Ha filter however. Both shots are a single stretched frame and lightly processed in StarTools. I didn’t touch the stars however.
I was a little amazed that one 120s shot could get so much. It is guided and the camera was cooled to -15C (gain 139) so am completely spoilt in that department. Gosh what about 59 more would add to both.
I’m getting good at making excuses too... blowing out the core of M8 could be construed as an exaggeration of the glow it seems to cast on the surrounding matter
