Quote:
Originally Posted by g__day
Well I tracked Jupiter for an hour unguided, and the central finder dot of the Canon 400D barely moved off the centre of the red giant - and the two times I checked (mid-way and at the end). So I would say that is under 15 arc seconds drift in an hour - good enough to image off.
I still could be seeing some periodic error as shots at 600 and 1000 seconds had slightly elongated stars - but shots as 1000 seconds weren't any more elongated than shots at 600 or less seconds - indicating the start could be drifting forwards and backward in RA according to slight periodic error. I'll look at this soon.
Ring now I'm testing the C9.25 again on the Helix Nebulae - unguided for 1,000 seconds. I just did a shot on the MAK so I want to compare it to the SCT.
I still have to coliminated the SCT properly - I think Bob's knobs are now in order! Only once all other factors are ruled out (collimination and PE) can I get a feel for how bad mirror shift is. It could be that it accumulated to throw my drift alignment out - meaning tracking was impaired. I'd like to see if I can centre and track Jupiter in the C9.25 now for an hour! Then and only then will I have a better feel for the mechanical errors I have to tune out.
Ian - at that weight and focal length I reckon get your mount settled first before you choose and imaging platform. Guys here get great results - so it must be achieavable with enough care and skill I hope!
Matthew
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I've assembled the Atlux , haven't powered it up yet.
That can wait until I have my 10" newt OTA reassembled and I get hold of the 40D I'm buying.