Tracking Images

 
 

Here are some images I took with a customers SBIG-STV camera. They are only for an illustration on how well the systems can track an object, not photographic quality.

With the stepper version of the software and hardware, autoguiding without any added electronics can be done. Most users who want this function have a laptop with their CCD imaging software on it. Scope1 can accept all LX-200 commands, via a serial cable, from the imaging software or planetarium software. You do need to use 2 laptops in the field, one is dedicated to imaging and image processing and one for the drive. (A side benefit is that you can use the other LX-200 command to initiate GoTo's from inside virtually any Planetarium program).
Gearing PE can also be corrected, in the traditional way, with the Scope1 software alone using the hand pad. You basically have a sensor on the worm of your drive to tell the software, via the electronics, when to begin the rotation of the worm on the gear and when to end. Doing this "trains out" any PE you may have. The sensor portion is simply a $5.00 micro switch from Radio Shack, a flat on the worm shaft and a wire connected to the circuitry.
The results of using either type of PEC have been very good. Pictures have been published from other customers on the internet.

 

Taken on a steamy moonlit night in suburbia.
6" Orion Newt on a CI700 Celestron mount.
Camera just in the focuser (prime focus).
 
 
 
 

 
No auto guiding from the camera.
No error correction from the drive was used at all.

Images were set at 5 seconds (not the moon shots)
Images are only modified slightly for contrast

According to other users of the BBastrodesigns circuitry and software, the system is capable of using autoguiders from various popular vendors. We, however, only offer circuitry for what we have tested ourselves. Toward that end, we can make a small hand pad sized box that contains relays to allow an STV to autoguide a scope using the circuitry. There is a description of what is required on this web page on our site.