Guide on stars or comet?

[bloodhound31]

G'day IIS,

Are you guys imaging Lemmon guiding on the comet or the stars?

I tried running PHD but it won't calibrate so close to the pole as it says, "the star didn't move enough".

Then I tried moving to a star on the equator and calibrating PHD and the mount there, then after a successful calibration, slewing back to the pole for Lemmon.

Still, I get star-trailing eggy stars in a 2 minute exposure. (see crop below) Is the EQ6 known for having problems guiding/tracking near the pole?

Baz.

[MrB]

Neither! Haha
I had the same problem with PHD and gave up... figured my PA was pretty good anyway and that imaging so close to the pole with a short FL and shortish exposures would see me through ok.
It would be nice to guide on the comet tho to expose longer and get more tail :(

[jjjnettie]

Things will get easier after a few more nights. It's a right pain trying to image it right now.
I applaud all of you who are getting such fine images at this stage.

[Stefan12]

Having the same problem with guiding on the pole with PHD. Does anyone have solution?

[bloodhound31]

I did a PHD guide calibration on Aldebaran first, then slewed back over to the pole and PHD seemed to work OK then.

[mithrandir]

Baz,
Unless your alignment is really good, PHD is sensitive to how much you move the scope after you calibrate. Achenar, Agena, Canopus, or something else around that declination might be a better choice.

[bloodhound31]

Thanks Andrew, I'll try that tonight if it's clear.

Baz.

[Stefan12]

Thanks for the info :)
Not a clear night for me to try it though :(