A really daft question, whilst performing an initial calibration do I have to select a specific star in a predetermined area of the sky or can I choose any star that is good enough?
I have read notes on notes but cannot seem to find anything on this?
Hi Paul,
It is probably best to point at the meridian and then let PhD choose a star. It appears to do this pretty well. Use darks and make sure you are in focus before doing calibration. I have been finding longer subs are giving me much better guiding due to crap seeing. (4sec).
Once you have calibrated run guide assistant for a few minutes and check the backlash with this as well. Apply the suggestions and see how the guiding goes.
Mike
I don't worry too much about being on the meridian, but if you are using pulse guiding via ASCOM it is best to do it on or near the equator to get the most consistent results. You may not even have to re calibrate after a meridian flip depending on setup. If you are using ST4 guiding via a cable you need to calibrate on initial startup and re calibrate any time you change dec by any significant amount, and if you do a meridian flip. I just use any suitable star that is well away from the edge of the field of view so there is no chance of it moving out of view during calibration.
If you are using PHD2 for drift alignment, you need to set up, calibrate, do your drift alignment then re calibrate as the axis angles it computes will have changed.
