Imaging and Auto-guiding With a Single Scope
An alternative setup will involve a single telescope for imaging and auto-guiding purposes instead
of two different telescopes. As such you will require the following items to be able to image and
auto-guide.
1.
An imaging camera, i.e. DS-335C ICE.
2.
An imaging scope, i.e. A&M 80mm f7.5 Super APO.
3.
An off-axis guider
4.
An ST-4 compatible mount, i.e. Skywatcher EQ6 or HEQ5.
5.
ASCOM software platform V4.1
or later (freely available)
6.
PC with USB2.0 ports running Windows 2000/XP or later
7.
The Shoestring auto-guide controller and cables, i.e. Shoestring GPUSB kit.
8.
Auto-guiding software, i.e. Guidemaster, PHD Guiding.
9.
Opticstar PL-130M camera and drivers.
Telescope used for both imaging and
auto-guiding
Shoestring Auto-
guider Control Box
PL-130M
auto-guiding
camera
Main Imager
Personal
Computer
Windows 2000/XP
Off-axis
guider
USB cables
Camera control
and Auto-guiding
software
To ST-4 compatible
telescope mount
The Opticstar AG-130M auto-guiding kit contains items 7, 8 and 9 in the above list. You will
therefore also need to provide your own imaging camera, telescope, off-axis guider, PC running
Windows 2000/XP and ST-4 compatible telescope mount.
Astroport beam splitter Vixen off-axis guider Celestron off-axis radial guider
An off-axis guider provides an easy and affordable way to auto-guide with a single scope. It
minimises possible tube flexure but has the disadvantage of having a limited field of view. Also the
amount of light that hits the prism/mirror is relatively small making less bright stars more difficult
to see and track.
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