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Missed this thread oops!
John it would be very useful if PHD Analyser could:
1. Review calibration data and make suggestions for DEC backlash settings (i.e. if the guide star doesn't end calibration near where it started I'd guess the telescope's hand controller should have better DEC backlash settings and this might actually improve alignment, tracking and guiding (regardless of Dr Stark's initial thoughts - I don't know whether he allowed for mounts that attempt to correct for polar misalignment and altitude based refraction in his thinking)
2. Try and break polar misalignment into both Alt and Az components (provided one enters the targets RA and DEC accurately) - always wishes PHD queried via ASCOM the mount and recorded where it was pointing when it recorded the log data.
3. Makes any recommendations on whether one is chasing the seeing. For instance my main OTA is viewing 0.44 arc second per pixel - whilst my local seeing is only good for 3-4 arc seconds per pixel. To compensate for this focal length I use:
1. longer times between star captures say 3- 4 seconds,
2. require greater drift before a pulse guide is issued,
3. resist switching
4. reduce aggressiveness and raise hysteresis
5. bin the guide chip 3*3 to have fatter pixels reflecting a larger centroid for guide objects to play with
It would be terrific if PHD Analyser could make suggestions on how to better set up my rig and guide parameters. I see that I have some strange DEC recurring patterns going - will investigate this, but I also see my RA tracking is fairly brilliant +/- 0.3 arc seconds - which seems phenomenal! Now if I can just get DEC as good things will be sublime!
Cheers,
Matthew
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