Centaurus A & Running Chicken

[cookie8]

Taken two nights ago in my backyard.Traking of my HQ5 and PHD was spot on with the running chicken but I encountered some tracking problem with Centaurus A so I could only managed 15mins of data. Is this a common problem when the object is too close to the zenith?
Running Chicken:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26678755@N07/4516861839/in/photostream/
Centaurus A: http://www.flickr.com/photos/26678755@N07/4517415000/in/photostream/

Thanks for looking and cemments are welcomed.

[telecasterguru]

Vincent,

They are really great images.


Frank

[renormalised]

Nice shots, Vinnie :)

[multiweb]

Cool shots. The running chicken's my pick of the two. Great colors & details. :thumbsup:

[CoolhandJo]

Nice. THe chicken is my pick.

[bmitchell82]

great shots.
Regards to the EQ6's and 5's and tracking, i find that its balance thats generally the culprit, with the inherent backlash found on these puppies if you balance it too good it teeters like a seesaw so when the guiding gives the scope a nudge it doesn't stop.

If you plan your night out, then balance your scope from the horison to zenith with a bias to pull the scope back towards the horizon this will pre load the spur gears/motors and increase the accuracy of your tracking! :) thats what i found anyhow.

[lacad01]

Nice work Vincent :thumbsup:
I was able to eyeball Cent A for the first time on Monday night through Alex's(mental4astro) 17.5" monster :)