What is a guider camera

[ezza123]

Hey peeps - need some wisdom.

This question has been bugging me for a little time.

How is a guider cam used?

What do you use it for and how do you configure it to be used.

Is it the same as a Guider scope - so you know your in the correct area for imaging?

Thanks

Aaron

[SteveL]

A guide scope and guide camera are not used to find if you are in the correct area

The guide scope+camera locks onto a star in the frame, and sends "nudge" signals to the mount to adjust any slight movement of the scope compared to what it should be doing. The other scopes is imaging with long exposures, the guide system is constantly adjusting the mount so the stars stay as still as possible.

All mounts have some errors in the RA drive, and a offset polar alignment will also cause some drift in DEC, so the guidesystem will try its very best to counteract all these issues (and a few more) so the imaging camera is seeing stars that stay very very still.

[ezza123]

Thank you Steve,

so I guess the cam has to be connected to a computer with a specific program for it to be able to know when to send the signals to the mount?

Sorry, im sure these questions are very novice!

[SteveL]

yep, that is correct. Programs like PHD or Maxim will take the guide camera image and work out what commands to send to the mount.

[ezza123]

I am now one little bit wiser! thank you :-)