Drift Alignment while taking picture

[wxman]

I haven't had a chance to test the software yet, and I had a question. Can the "Drift Alignment" be used while actually taking a time exposure picture? In other words, can the Drift Alignment be used as a guide star for manual tracking?

[s3igell]

You don't state WHICH Drift Alignment Routine you have in mind, but I'll guess the BYE/BYN-support module named Drift Align...

 

BYE/BYN doesn't download the resulting Image as a CR2 file, so it would be of little AP Imaging worth.

Worse, the procedure requires that you Stop the Mount from Tracking, meaning that the resulting Image is guaranteed to be little but Star Trails.

 

But, as it seems that you are asking whether you can somehow use Drift Alignment as a Manual Tracking routine - again all Tracking is turned OFF at the Mount leaving you with nothing but Star Trails.

 

Either way, not what you'd want for an AP Image...

[wxman]

I don't have a separate, dedicated guide scope, so I was hoping there was a way to manually do tracking while actually taking the time exposure. I have to use the mount's goto controls to keep it aligned. I suppose as the picture is being exposed, if the content is bright enough, you can use the grid feature to keep it in line.

[admin]

That is not possible.

 

If you want to guide you absolutely need a guide camera separate from your imaging camera and you absolutely need a guide scope (or an off axis guider).

 

Regards,

[s3igell]

I don't have a separate, dedicated guide scope, so I was hoping there was a way to manually do tracking while actually taking the time exposure. I have to use the mount's goto controls to keep it aligned. I suppose as the picture is being exposed, if the content is bright enough, you can use the grid feature to keep it in line.

 

One doesn't get to view the Image being Captured while it is still being Exposed - even in LiveView the output is paused while the Image is being Exposed.

 

There really is no substitute for a AutoGuider Rig.  However, any improvement that you make in the Mount's Polar Alignment - say by using the Drift Alignment Module - will reduce the Star Trailing due to Drift and allow somewhat longer Exposures.  But even a relatively perfect Polar Alignment of a mid-grade EQ Mount will only serve for 3-4min Unguided Exposures.

 

(Also make sure that you have your Mount's Tracking set to 100% Sidereal.)

 

 

[wxman]

One doesn't get to view the Image being Captured while it is still being Exposed - even in LiveView the output is paused while the Image is being Exposed.

 

There really is no substitute for a AutoGuider Rig.  However, any improvement that you make in the Mount's Polar Alignment - say by using the Drift Alignment Module - will reduce the Star Trailing due to Drift and allow somewhat longer Exposures.  But even a relatively perfect Polar Alignment of a mid-grade EQ Mount will only serve for 3-4min Unguided Exposures.

 

(Also make sure that you have your Mount's Tracking set to 100% Sidereal.)

 

 

Thanks, that's what I figured. I'm using a Celestron NexStar 90SLT for my scope, and the mount is the goto alt/az that it came with. So far the mount has worked very well tracking, even with a camera attached. I've been debating rigging up a polar wedge and see if that even works better, but one step at a time.

[s3igell]

Honestly, although it sounds disparaging to your Rig, I'd advise that you spend a bit of time with what you have to decide whether you have truly been bitten by the AstroPhotography Bug.

 

If so, start saving your Money (not spending any on your current Rig) for an Entry-level AP Imaging Scope and Mount (you apparently already have a good candidate Canon DSLR).

If you have the Bug, then such a purchase will be a Great Step Forward...

 

The reasons against your current rig:

1. 90SLT is an f/14 Scope - exceedingly slow Focal Ratio for an Imaging Scope
2. Scope has only limited 1-speed Focuser and 1.25in Drawtube - too lightweight and skinny for DSLR
3. Mount is Single-Fork Alt-AZ without precision Motors and Gearing designed for Precise Tracking needed for AP Imaging
4. Mount has no AutoGuiding Provision - no ST-4 Port (and at f/14 would require a GuideScope larger than the 90SLT)
5. Mount Tripod is Lightweight and Insufficiently Reinforced with Skinny Steel-tube Legs

This is not to say that it is IMPOSSIBLE to Image using your current rig...  

Just that if you find AP Imaging to be of real interest, even via your 90SLT, then you'll likely really enjoy the results once you move to a rig designed with AP Imaging in mind - even at the $1000 budget level necessary to get a decent start...