Guiding

Compare an image taken with guiding on versus an image taken without guiding (Fig. 1). Both were 1200s exposures with the telescope near the zenith.

Figure 1

Steps to get guiding working

At the moment, it is a bit involved.

1. Acquire a target for the principle instrument.
2. At the telescope, remove the SBIG-4 camera from the GAM.
   • Loosen the screw above the camera, not to the right.
   • Turn it less than 1/4 turn, to loosen. It doesn't need much.
   • Pull out the camera.
   • Hang it on one of the wires around you.
3. Insert the CCD-Acquire-Eyepiece
   • This is located in the supply cabinet in the warm room.
   • It has an illuminated reticle.
   • Tighten the set screw gently but firmly. (go figure that one out)
4. Move the AutoGuider field of vision to a blank region of the sky using the GAM controllers (+X, -X, +Y, -Y). Don't move the pointing of the telescope itself.
5. Take a dark frame.
   • Re-insert the CCD camera head, swapping out the eyepiece, of course.
   • Press the Take Dark Frame button on the SBIG-4 controller.
   • Swap out the CCD camera head with the eyepiece once again.
6. Aquire a guide star
   • The CCD-Acquire-Eyepiece should be in the GAM, where the CCD camera head usually is
   • Centre on a bright star (experience required) again using the GAM controllers (+X, -X, +Y, -Y). Don't move the pointing of the telescope itself.
   • Use the illuminated reticle (turn the know to turn on) and dead-centre the star.
   • Exchange the eyepiece for the CCD head. We are done with the eyepiece.
7. Focus the guide star
8. Set the exposure to get around 50 counts
9. Calibrate. Takes a minute or so.
10. Commence tracking

That's it! Much of this procedure is subject to change, if and when the SBIG-4 controller is connected straight to a computer, making the eyepiece swapping and focusing moot.