7 replies to this topic

[michaeldove]

I'm having a hard time understanding this older guide camera (Older Orion SSAG).

When I connect it to PHD2 I can control the gain and exposure but it's always noisy and it can't find any stars. 

It's super old so I'm trying to determine if I'm missing something or if it's broken.

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[bignerdguy]

First, what type of attachment to the scope do you use, an OAG or a separate guide scope?  Second, are you sure that what you are using is in focus and if needed the lens cap is off?  If it is wildly out of focus it will look like that.  What i would do is point the scope to a bright star then adjust what you are using for the SSAG to point also at the star. Then try to focus the guider until it is correctly in focus.  Then adjust it to point at the section of the sky you plan to use for guiding.  Note:  If you are using an OAG, just because the main scope is in focus doesn't mean the OAG will be too, you have to separately focus the OAG camera as well.  If it cant achieve focus as is you might need to add a extension tube to the OAG or slide the camera in/out of the eyepiece tube to get it to focus.

[bignerdguy]

...Oh and yes, the SSAG is incredibly noisy.  That's normal.  I have one and it does that all the time but it shouldn't affect your guiding.

[ELDavis]

Mine looks like that when out of focus. Set sample rate to 0.05 sec and try focusing on a distant terrestrial object 

[OregonAstronomer]

I've also focused mine on the moon. Big, bright and easy to find!

[michaeldove]

First, what type of attachment to the scope do you use, an OAG or a separate guide scope?  Second, are you sure that what you are using is in focus and if needed the lens cap is off?  If it is wildly out of focus it will look like that.  What i would do is point the scope to a bright star then adjust what you are using for the SSAG to point also at the star. Then try to focus the guider until it is correctly in focus.  Then adjust it to point at the section of the sky you plan to use for guiding.  Note:  If you are using an OAG, just because the main scope is in focus doesn't mean the OAG will be too, you have to separately focus the OAG camera as well.  If it cant achieve focus as is you might need to add a extension tube to the OAG or slide the camera in/out of the eyepiece tube to get it to focus.

I'm using a separate 120mm scope with the SSAG.

I'm not sure about the focus because I don't believe its adjustable outside of physically moving it in and out (which I will try). For some reason I just assumed it would be focused when screwed into the back of the guide scope.

[ELDavis]

You get rough focus moving camera in and out, Fine focus by screwing objective lens in or out.

[bignerdguy]

I'm using a separate 120mm scope with the SSAG.

I'm not sure about the focus because I don't believe its adjustable outside of physically moving it in and out (which I will try). For some reason I just assumed it would be focused when screwed into the back of the guide scope.

A 120mm scope doesn't have a focuser?  That's odd.  Most 120mm scopes I have seen have a focus knob on the back of them.  In that case though you may need to move the camera  in or out of the eyepiece tube to focus it. If it wont focus, then there has to be another way to focus it.  I have a 60mm finder scope with the ability to use a camera on it and it does have a focus method. By screwing the front lens in and out and then securing the lock ring, it can focus.  Maybe your scope does the same thing?