[Ryanlaw2]

I've been trying to take photos of various astro features.  I understand that the DS 2114 is a low end scope, but resolving power is not the issue, it's tracking.

Can anyone tell me what I need to to be able to stabilize the scope for long duration shutter times?  Is there software out there that will alllow me to consistently guide on a target?

Thanks,

- Tom Ryan

[PapaJ]

I don't know if I can help, but when I track on an object I'll set my handbox (497) on number one for guide tracking. Someone will probably have more and better instructions than I, because I'm still learning my own telescope unit.

Clear skies & good luck.

[StevenSWissler]

Even high-end scopes will not track for long exposures. Irregularities in the gears, and mount alignment will cause the object you are trying to photograph to wander around. The scope must be guided  to correct for these irregularities. This can be done with either a seperate guide scope mounted on the primary scope or an off axis guider mounted to the man scope. A guide star can be tracked using a cross hair eyepiece with a human providing corrections through the hand controller, or a seperate ccd camera can be used to have software provide the corrections. The Meade autostar software can be used for this purpose.

[Ryanlaw2]

Thanks, Steven.  Can you tell me what hardware (camera, hbx, etc.) and software that I need to autoguide?  Also, I am totally ignorant of the photo stacking process.  Can you recommend software that allows that?

I have discovered that any change to the scope's weight or balance (camera weight) throws tracking off.  Even a few ounces makes a difference and requires re-training for the new configuration.  The learning curve is pretty steep where I am.

- Tom Ryan

[PapaJ]

See I told you somebody else would know better

[StevenSWissler]

I like nebulosity, from stark labs, for camera control, including focusing, acquisition and stacking. A lot of people use registax for stacking, I've yet to get very proficient at it. I use AviStack for stacking lunar images ( also free and a very easy to use, powerfull program).
I use PHD (Push here dummy) from stark labs (free) for auto-guiding with a DSI II Color.
You can also use Meades envisage for focusing, acquisition and tracking, but for me it's focusing tool is not as easy to use as nebulosity and it tends to crash too often.

I have an off-axis guider ( meade ), but it can be a bit difficult to find suitable guide stars, so I'm going to get a separate guide scope.

I use a canon eos digital rebel xti for longer duration photography, when guiding with the DSI II. I use the DSI II for lunar and planetary work. It's far easier to capture lunar and planetary images with a camera that does not have a shutter. The shutter ( and mirror) cause vibration and limits the rate you can  capture images.

Most of my experience, so far, is with the lunar and planetary imaging. I've yet to do much long exposure, deep sky work...