Log 15-11-2019

The target tonight is M20 – The Trifid Nebula.

I’m using a piece of software called Sequence Generator Pro (SGP) which I purchased a couple of weeks ago.

In an effort to try and learn how to use the program, I ordered the book ‘Using Sequence Generator Pro and Friends‘ by Alex McConahay, which has been very helpful. Until now I’ve been using Maxim DL 6, but I felt it wasn’t offering the latest features and the forums have been talking about this program, so I thought I’d give it a go. It was US$99 so not crazy expensive.

Ok, so after cooling the ZWO ASI1600 MM camera down to -20 degrees C, and running the autofocus (on L filter), positioning M20 in the centre (it was slightly off), then it was auto-guiding time.

This is the first time I’d used the autoguiding function with SGP Pro, so – I configured it to use PHD Guilding v2, had to play around with the settings a bit, I tried both on camera (using ST4 mount connection) and using direct telescope control. I think the direct telescope control was fine.

Unfortunately it then clouded over! grrr….

So I shut everything down and closed the dome. In the land of the long white cloud this happens. However I did get to grips with PHD Guiding, and got it configured to work with SGP Pro, so it wasn’t a complete loss.

Until next time…

Kirk out.