You are currently viewing Sept 7th 2022 – Narrowband Imaging of NGC7822

Sept 7th 2022 – Narrowband Imaging of NGC7822

Objectives

  • Capture 25 X 10 minutes exposures via OIII filter to produce a Narrowband image of NGC7822
  • The SII exposures are planned for the next clear night
  • Ha exposures already captured

Tasks

  • Installed the narrow band filters/filter wheel in the SBIG camera and cleaned dust off – Done
  • Perform a polar Alignment – Done
  • Calibrate auto-guider with Guiding Assistant in PHD2 – Done
  • Test auto-guiding – Done
  • Test auto-focusing
  • Solve and Synch mount to confirm goto accuracy
  • Automatic centering of NGC7822
  • Launch automated sequence

Notes

Polar alignment was quick and successful (i.e. within a few arc-minutes)

After having ran the guiding assistant in PHD2, auto-guiding became erratic. After a reset of the mount and a recalibration of PHD2. Guiding was much better (ie. 0.44″ RMS!)

Auto-focusing success at position via Ha filer: 2947

Solve and Synch successful

Auto-centering failed. after numerous trials, switched to ASTAP instead of Astrometry.net and success

Camera started acting-up: Many bad pixel columns, super slow downloads for each frame (e.g. 60 seconds or more)

Auto-guiding started acting-up again. Re-ran calibration. Solved the problem.

Tried NINA to capture image and download time went down to 8 seconds. There is definitely an issue between the camera and SGPro. Will need to troubleshoot.

Stopped and powered-off everything around 23h20.

Results

n/a

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Clearskypix

You can call me Frank. I've been an amateur astronomer since 1988. In 2004, I purchased my first astrophotography equipment. In 2008, I built my own observatory. I cannot count the number of hours I have spent building, learning and trying. It as been a humbling experience that I hope will continue for a lifetime.