Using
the Pictor 201XT Autoguider: By Chris Heapy
The
first thing you need to do is to insure focus is correct, assuming you're
using a small guidescope for now, pick a magnitude 6 star and an exposure
time of 1 second. Take a dark frame (have the 201 powered up for about
20 minutes prior to starting this). With an eyepiece make sure the star
image is dead in the middle of the FOV. If you have a Meade 9mm reticle
you have a head start because this is near parfocal with the 201XT, otherwise
it's guessing time.
Rack
the focus slowly until it starts to register sensible numbers, you are
aiming for something like 50 @ 5,5. If you get a zero brightness reading
within a range of focus positions you have doubtless not got the star on
the chip, it's coverage is tiny and missing the chip is easy. You will
just have to persevere with this until a particular focus position gives
you the highest number for gb. If you seemingly can't get anywhere near
focus repeat the operation using a bright star (say, Arcturus). This will
be far too bright for the exposure settings but at least it will register
even when way out of focus - and you can use the gb number to estimate
as you get closer to focus. It will reach the max 99 long before it's focused
so you will then have to switch to a dimmer star (if you change exposure
time you will need to take another dark frame). Once you have it focused
either mark the focuser barrel or (better) make a parfocal eyepiece (about
9mm f/l) to avoid this hassle in future.
A
'hot' pixel will be taken out by the dark frame, but as the 201XT is not
cooled you MUST let it reach operating temperature before taking it. Your
figures quoted for guide mode are meaningless unless you have a star focussed
on the chip. Guide corrections of 91 are moving it the full width of the
chip every iteration, guide brightness of 41 without a focussed star image
indicate the exposure time is way too long and you're just picking up light
pollution (or you didn't take a relevant dark frame).
If
you are using an OAG then you will have to get the 'best' focus position
you can, the star won't present a nice round image and the 201 may not
lock on. It might also be so dim as not to register.
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