Guide Scope

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #1 09-10-2005, 09:30 PM

I think it is called a Guide Scope

Now that I will be going into ToUcamming will I need one?

If so, will one of those cheapie Duck Smith refractors do the job??
They are for visual observing whilst photographing aren't they????

mick pinner · #2 09-10-2005, 09:40 PM

if you are going to guide visually through a seperate scope you will need an illuminated reticle ep to keep the image centered and l think some of those cheap refractors only take the .96 ep's and not 1.25".
check what set up Ice uses, on brighter objects you could always guide through your finderscope.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #3 09-10-2005, 09:44 PM

Why would I need an illuminated reticle Mick? I don't use one for visually observing now.

mick pinner · #4 09-10-2005, 09:47 PM

to make sure that the object is kept as close as possible to the centre of the field of vision, this is important when downloading multiple images.

cometcatcher (Kevin) · #5 09-10-2005, 09:48 PM

The focusser on the DSE refractor is too wobbly IMO, unless you can tighten it with a screw or something.

Striker (Tony) · #6 09-10-2005, 09:52 PM

Yes ken you will soon see how quick you will get star trails if you dont keep the target completely centered.

Like Mick said a illuminated eyepiece is probably the best way to go...or try it without and guess center....good luck...lol

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #7 09-10-2005, 09:58 PM

What about if I made illuminated cross-hairs for the front of a cheapie? Would that work the same way? (I'm just trying to keep the dollars down)

davidpretorius · #8 09-10-2005, 09:59 PM

no, not yet,

you plug the toucam into a smaller scope and it then guides the big scope for imaging. You would need two toucams or a toucam and another camera.

using a software progam called guidedog, the toucam picks up that a star has moved and the motorized system compensates.

bert has a neat setup

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/a...&stc=1&thumb=1

mick pinner · #9 09-10-2005, 10:01 PM

should work fine Ken, let me know what type of scope your looking at as l have a couple of 60 x 900 mm refractors brand new.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #10 09-10-2005, 10:02 PM

Well, that's got me even more confused. I just wanna see optically what the Toucam is looking at.

atalas · #11 09-10-2005, 10:02 PM

Ken is the web cam you are getting modified to do long exposure ?

Louie

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #12 09-10-2005, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mick pinner

should work fine Ken, let me know what type of scope your looking at as l have a couple of 60 x 900 mm refractors brand new.

I was thinking of those Duck Smith ones. I think they are about $49. I know they are garbage.

mick pinner · #13 09-10-2005, 10:05 PM

l would suggest just a simple guidescope with illuminated cross hairs till you get the hang of things.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #14 09-10-2005, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atalas

Ken is the web cam you are getting modified to do long exposure ?

Louie

Yes Louie, long exposure modified. I already have it, Avandonk gave it to me brand new!

davidpretorius · #15 09-10-2005, 10:07 PM

ken, i have thought the same thing, i want to look and image at the same time. I have seen some attachments that allow you to image and view, but i don't think they are cheap!

mick pinner · #16 09-10-2005, 10:11 PM

you could use an off axis guider but they are not cheap and then you would still have to buy an illuminated ep.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #17 09-10-2005, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidpretorius

ken, i have thought the same thing, i want to look and image at the same time. I have seen some attachments that allow you to image and view, but i don't think they are cheap!

I was thinking of just chucking a cheap refractor piggy-backed on the 12" so I can see what the TouCam sees. And my boys will want to see visually while I have the TouCam in the focuser.

mick pinner · #18 09-10-2005, 10:29 PM

that is the easiest way Ken but remember that the view through the refractor will be pretty poor compared to the dobby.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #19 09-10-2005, 10:39 PM

Yeah, I know Mick

But if I can only spend peanuts I expect to get peanuts. Gee I'll be glad when I get this job (now that's positive thinking) so I can set up a bit better!

I will do some googling and see if I can find a cheapie apart from Duck Smith. Hopefully with a 1 1/4" focuser so I can use my EP's in it.

[1ponders] (Paul) · #20 09-10-2005, 11:14 PM

Ken I'm having a bit of difficulty understanding why you want a guidescope if you don't have any sort of fine control over your alt and az movement. Are you going to try to move your scope by hand while viewing through the guidescope while recording through your dob? If that's the case you're going to find it extremely difficult to keep the image your recording from "shuddering" while tracking by hand. Also if that's the case then you would be able to a better job "guiding" by hand by viewing the image on the computer screen and guiding from their. For planets that is. DSOs will be a real challenge