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Feature tracking to move between exposures

Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2024 12:44 pm
by TLD
I haven't been able to find documentation or online if this is part of the package?

I'd like to set feature tracking to not move the scope while it is imaging.

Thanks

Terry

Re: Feature tracking to move between exposures

Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2024 1:13 pm
by admin
Hi Terry,

there's no way to do that with feature tracking - feature tracking is really designed to work when using high speed imaging (many frames per second) of solar system targets, so the camera is always capturing frames. When high speed imaging, the individual frames are short exposure, so the movement causes the image to shift in view, but doesn't cause excessive smearing of the individual frames.

While you can use the feature tracking for longer exposures and deep sky targets if you really try hard, it's not something I recommend (I would always suggest using a dedicated guiding application like PHD2).

cheers,

Robin

Re: Feature tracking to move between exposures

Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2024 1:43 pm
by TLD
Thanks Robin,

I'm working on a project with 1-2 sec exposures and would like to eliminate any smearing. It's also not critical to keep image exactly centered. It would also be convenient to not use a guide camera in this scenario.

I'll experiment with letting the image drift a little further and do less adjustments and doing more frequent smaller adjustments.

Terry

Re: Feature tracking to move between exposures

Posted: Tue Oct 22, 2024 12:55 pm
by admin
Hi Terry,

ah, OK, so in a non-standard scenario it would make more sense than in normal deep sky imaging. Unfortunately there is not even any way to get at or control the current status of the feature tracking via SharpCap scripting, so I don't really have any workarounds to suggest.

cheers,

Robin