Only noise on PHD2

[goneinsane]

Hi, i’m new to imaging with a telescope. I have an apochromatic refractor telescope and a 60mm ZWO guide scope. I have a ZWO ASI guide cam and another ZWO ASI imaging camera. I use a SkyWatcher mount. 

I wanted to try autoguiding with PHD2. My guide cam was connected and my mount was on-cam connected to PHD2. When i tried to loop image, it kept showing noise (like static) only! The noise pattern changed every refresh (1s exposure). I did my polar alignment first, it then did a 1-star alignment towards Arcturus. Only thing is, i can’t confirm if it’s in view because the cameras don’t pick up any stars! The telescope was definitely pointing at it but i can’t know if it’s centered. I also tried in the ASICAP program but it’s basically all black. I also use ASCOM platform. I tried changing the ‘gain’ and exposure time but it doesn’t change much (it will just change the static to brighter for example). I made a new dark library in PHD2 but it didn’t change anything. It also shows static when the cap is on (so fully dark). I tried focusing with my scope but the noise is just always there. Can someone please help me, i don’t know what to do. I even tried pointing my telescope towards the center of the milky way and take some long exposures with my imaging cam, it will show a few red or green stars/points at most. Shouldn’t i at least be seeing more when i do that? 

 

[Davey-T]

Hi and welcome to SGL, you've come to the right place for advice although some of it may be contradictory 😂

Are you sure you're in focus? try focusing  in daylight on something distant or clouds.

Dave

Red and green points are probably hot pixels not stars.

Edited August 25, 2019 by Davey-T

[alacant]

Hi. Get SharpCap and use it to focus the guide camera on the horizon during daylight. Unless you're -very-  close to focus, PHD2 frames will show only what you describe. 

HTH