How to track a comet?

[rogerg]

G'day all,

Anyone able to help me with how to track a comet?

Because I want to photograph it using my ST7, I cannot track it using the guide chip (off-set). So I am thinking the only way would be to use some sort of program to get the telescope actually tracking the comet's theoretical movement?

:help:

I could take a series of very short exposures, autoguiding using the primary chip inbetween, but that doesn't seem like such a good solution.

Thanks,
Roger.

[JohnG]

Hi Roger

From memory, you have a Gemini, do you not....

You could try Closed Loop tracking or the Comet/User Defined guide rates, the Gemini Manual (3.3.1.2) describes how to use them, I have not used them myself.

Cheers

[rogerg]

Thanks John,

I should have clarified - I do have a Gemini like you remembered, but this is actually going to be taken through my LX200 (classic), as I need the long focal length/aperture. So I'm referring to the LX.

It's hooked up to the PC and all that of course, normally running through TheSky or ASCOM depending on how daring I feel on the day :)

Once upon a time I thought the LX could be fed comet information to then track. Then I vaguagely remember finding some piece of softare that coudl control the scope from the PC to track comets and satellites.... but I can't remember enough right now to find a solution.

Perhaps I'm just rusty, haven't tuned either scope on for about 3 weeks ;)

[higginsdj]

A more reliable solution would be to use track and stack software. Much of it is free but I prefer to use Astrometrica which also does your precision Astrometric and general photometric image measurement as well (including tracked and stacked images). This way you can take a lot of short exposure images then get the software to align it base don the targets know motion.

Astrometrica costs 20E I think (shareware) but it's pretty much standard fare for the Astrometry crowd (www.astrometrica.at)

Cheers