View Single Post
  #8  
Old 22-08-2022, 06:32 PM
Startrek (Martin)
Registered User

Startrek is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Sydney and South Coast NSW
Posts: 6,669
The general rule of thumb for your guiding set up should be based on a ratio between your main imaging scopes pixel scale and guide scope pixel scale or image scale. A good ratio is 4:1 or less

Pixel scale or image scale for both Main scope / imaging camera and guide scope / camera is calculated as follows -

Camera pixel size uM x 206.3 / focal length = Pixel or Image scale

There are quite a few good guiding programs around but to get started I’d recommend PHD2 , mainly for ease of use, reliability , excellent support and free. Multistar guiding has been a revelation for PHD2 over the past 12 months and has improved guiding performance in most cases

Avoid ST guiding connections as they don’t take full advantage of Ascom
Opt for pulse guiding or direct connection from guide camera to laptop ( PHD2 recommend Pulse Guiding connection via Ascom )

There are loads of guide scopes and guide cameras on the market and all work pretty well as long as you keep within the 4:1 image scale ratio

ZWO is a popular band of guide camera both mini versions and standard versions , always choose a mono guide camera over a colour due to vastly improved sensitivity and QE

If you decide to go with PHD2 and ZWO guide cameras I have written procedures for basic operation to get up and running

Good luck
Reply With Quote