Sept 7th 2022 – Narrowband Imaging of NGC7822
Objectives
- Capture 25 X 10 minutes exposures via OIII filter to produce a Narrowband image of NGC7822
- The SII exposures are planned for the next clear night
- Ha exposures already captured
Tasks
- Installed the narrow band filters/filter wheel in the SBIG camera and cleaned dust off – Done
- Perform a polar Alignment – Done
- Calibrate auto-guider with Guiding Assistant in PHD2 – Done
- Test auto-guiding – Done
- Test auto-focusing
- Solve and Synch mount to confirm goto accuracy
- Automatic centering of NGC7822
- Launch automated sequence
Notes
Polar alignment was quick and successful (i.e. within a few arc-minutes)
After having ran the guiding assistant in PHD2, auto-guiding became erratic. After a reset of the mount and a recalibration of PHD2. Guiding was much better (ie. 0.44″ RMS!)
Auto-focusing success at position via Ha filer: 2947
Solve and Synch successful
Auto-centering failed. after numerous trials, switched to ASTAP instead of Astrometry.net and success
Camera started acting-up: Many bad pixel columns, super slow downloads for each frame (e.g. 60 seconds or more)
Auto-guiding started acting-up again. Re-ran calibration. Solved the problem.
Tried NINA to capture image and download time went down to 8 seconds. There is definitely an issue between the camera and SGPro. Will need to troubleshoot.
Stopped and powered-off everything around 23h20.
Results
n/a
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Clearskypix - 3D Printed Astronomy Parts and Accessories on Facebook.