Help with Guiding and Imaging a target
Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2024 1:23 pm
Hello everyone, this might be a stupid question, but I want to do some deep sky astro photography (Such as the Andromeda Galaxy or Horsehead Nebula etc) - Now.........I have been interested in Astronomy and deep sky astrophotography for about 5 years, and whilst I understand that I should really be further along my journey than I actually am! after all this time, have eventually managed to get my gear connected (Telescope/mount/cameras etc) and working (During daylight hours!) with Sharpcap (Which I intend to use for imaging).(I have not done any night time imaging up to now!)
Here is my question...(Bear with me and this is all hypothetically at this stage!)......If I am trying to "Image" lets say the the Horsehead Nebula, What is the process?
Do I Start Sharpcap and Polar Align
Then connect PHD2 and connect everything up
Then start Stellarium
Then pick a target (Horsehead) in Stellarium and "Goto" it.
Then open PHD2 and select the star/stars in my view to "Guide" (So If I have gone to Horsehead in previous step, I assume there will be stars nearby on my computer screen to pick as guide stars?)
Then open Sharpcap to actually take the images.......(Then spend another 3 years or so learning how to process them )
Am I on the right track????
Or am I over thinking all this.
Any input would be welcome - Thanks
Here is my question...(Bear with me and this is all hypothetically at this stage!)......If I am trying to "Image" lets say the the Horsehead Nebula, What is the process?
Do I Start Sharpcap and Polar Align
Then connect PHD2 and connect everything up
Then start Stellarium
Then pick a target (Horsehead) in Stellarium and "Goto" it.
Then open PHD2 and select the star/stars in my view to "Guide" (So If I have gone to Horsehead in previous step, I assume there will be stars nearby on my computer screen to pick as guide stars?)
Then open Sharpcap to actually take the images.......(Then spend another 3 years or so learning how to process them )
Am I on the right track????
Or am I over thinking all this.
Any input would be welcome - Thanks