Guide on stars or comet?

[bloodhound31]

G'day IIS,

Are you guys imaging Lemmon guiding on the comet or the stars?

I tried running PHD but it won't calibrate so close to the pole as it says, "the star didn't move enough".

Then I tried moving to a star on the equator and calibrating PHD and the mount there, then after a successful calibration, slewing back to the pole for Lemmon.

Still, I get star-trailing eggy stars in a 2 minute exposure. (see crop below) Is the EQ6 known for having problems guiding/tracking near the pole?

Baz.

[MrB (Simon)]

Originally Posted by bloodhound31

G'day IIS,

Are you guys imaging Lemmon guiding on the comet or the stars?

I tried running PHD but it won't calibrate so close to the pole as it says, "the star didn't move enough".

Neither! Haha
I had the same problem with PHD and gave up... figured my PA was pretty good anyway and that imaging so close to the pole with a short FL and shortish exposures would see me through ok.
It would be nice to guide on the comet tho to expose longer and get more tail

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Things will get easier after a few more nights. It's a right pain trying to image it right now.
I applaud all of you who are getting such fine images at this stage.

[Stefan12]

Having the same problem with guiding on the pole with PHD. Does anyone have solution?

[bloodhound31]

Originally Posted by Stefan12

Having the same problem with guiding on the pole with PHD. Does anyone have solution?

I did a PHD guide calibration on Aldebaran first, then slewed back over to the pole and PHD seemed to work OK then.

[mithrandir (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by bloodhound31

I did a PHD guide calibration on Aldebaran first, then slewed back over to the pole and PHD seemed to work OK then.

Baz,
Unless your alignment is really good, PHD is sensitive to how much you move the scope after you calibrate. Achenar, Agena, Canopus, or something else around that declination might be a better choice.

[bloodhound31]

Originally Posted by mithrandir

Baz,
Unless your alignment is really good, PHD is sensitive to how much you move the scope after you calibrate. Achenar, Agena, Canopus, or something else around that declination might be a better choice.

Thanks Andrew, I'll try that tonight if it's clear.

Baz.

[Stefan12]

Thanks for the info
Not a clear night for me to try it though