[davewaldo]

Hi Everyone,

I'm keen to get into some astro imaging but not necessarily to make "pretty pictures". I'm wanting to use a really sensitive camera to assist visual observations and to track down faint planets, comets, galaxies etc.

I've seen that Sbig cameras offer "track and Accumulate" which gives an almost realtime image of your target. This looks great, but the cameras are quite expensive. Also I see the Gstar does this too but I don't like the AV video system it uses. I'd prefer to use a usb camera like a DMK.

I'm wondering if there is any way to track and accumulate with a webcam or DMK camera?

I've tried DSO imaging in the past with auto-guiding and my DSLR but I'm not too fussed on all the hassles and time involved. I'm not looking to create works of art, I just want to be able to visualise tough targets and perhaps locate some great targets like Denis often posts on this site (See his posts in Solar System Imaging).

Any suggestions welcome.

My gear is listed in my signature, but I'm also curious if a track and accumulate setup would also work on an LX200 alt/az mount.

Cheers,

David.