Smart Distogram - No Stars to Align

[Bodrero]

When I use the smart histogram to set my gain and exposure it is always too dark for any stacking program to align with stars.

To be honest, even when I try to do it myself I struggle to get enough stars.

Any ideas what I'm doing wrong.

[Menno555]

Hello and welcome

Can you please tell what your equipment is and the workflow you use for capturing?

I have sometimes the same problem as you have but it's mostly because of my telescope and camera combination.
I have a Meade LX200 8" f/10 telescope and 2 Zwo camera's.
With the Zwo ASI071MC Pro I always have enough stars.
But when I use my ASI482MC, it becomes (way) more difficult because it gives a smaller FOV in comparison with the other camera.
And if I'm in a region with less bright(er) stars, it's almost impossible to stack. I have to use a higher Gain setting than to make it work.

Menno

[Bodrero]

I am using a Celestron EdgeHD 8 with a .7 Focal Reducer. My camera is a ASI294

[Menno555]

When using the Smart Histogram, do you set on using the Green channel?
Also, could you share your capture settings or a screenshot of SharpCap with the settings?

Menno

[admin]

Hi,

you can always set a *longer* exposure than suggested if you want - the value calculated is the minimum to avoid excessive noise in stacked images, but longer values are fine as long as

* The mount can cope with tracking/guiding for the length of exposure picked
* You are not oversaturating stars too much, or getting the background very bright.

cheers,

Robin

[Bodrero]

Thank you for your reply!

I'm out of town for a couple days but will post a screenshot of my settings as soon as I'm back!

Troy