mattytheshark

25 minutes ago, happy-kat said:

Do all your targets need that telescope, do you have say a camera lens you could use instead, it will be lighter and could still be guided and many DSO are large.

I understand what you mean but I'm keen to keep using the telescope rather than just the camera.  As to whether I need the C9.25 specifically - probably not but I do like it.  The main problem is the mount which I plan to upgrade soon (ish!).  In the meantime I want to know if guiding will make a noticeable difference to the exposure times I can get given the problems with the mount.

Hi all

I'm currently using a CG-5 (yeah I know....) and it is overloaded with my C9.25 and DSLR currently.  I want to upgrade the mount later this year but not certain yet.

I'm managing to get between 20-30 second exposures which is okay but would like to do more so want to do some auto guiding and am exploring options.

My question (I guess) is will auto guiding make much difference given the scope is overloaded?

Any advice gratefully welcome as I'm a novice at imaging! Thanks in advance.  Matty

Hi. My mount was not very well aligned to be honest and I've been given some excellent advice on how to do tho more accurately.

I have a feeling,however, that the star trailing may be a result of the Meade software not stacking the images accurately either. As you say, it is a little surprising with such short exposure times.

Thanks for your interest in my image, much appreciated!

M57 tonight.  First Deep Sky Shot.  It was about 10x10second subs.  No Darks but It clearly needs some to get rid of the big bright dots.  Happy enough though for a first image!