This probably isn't worthy of a thread but I couldn't help myself as I'm a little excited. I have spent months trying to sort out guiding issues using PhD.
So to equipment first:
Mount: EQ6 fitted with Astromeccanica motors
Scope: 8" Newt
Guide scope: 60mm f/11.7 tasco refractor
Guide camera: unmodded toucam
Imaging camera: unmodded Canon 400D
My problem has been over corrections in DEC. Commands would send the graph anywhere up to 2 pixels away from the central line. I had tried just about everything such as 1) neutral balance 2) misbalance in one direction 3) adjusting worm to get as little backlash as possible 4) only guide DEC in one direction 5) stripped down and re-greased DEC axis (twice) 6) different guide rate settings. Nothing seemed to work.
I decided that the only way through this was to get my polar alignment accurate enough that I don't have to guide in DEC. So last night I used PhD to drift align. It took about 45mins and the final alignment was OK but could have been better.
Anyways, I thought I would try imaging M42. I have attached a single 5min, ISO400 sub with some adjustments in PS. As I said, PA could have been better, focus is a little out and maybe camera wasn't square. I'm not using a coma corrector. I think overall, not a bad effort and "the only way is up, BABY!"
