HelioMaker + SharpCap Live Stack (Lucky Imaging workflow with a single camera for guiding and imaging)

AstroSharp Ltd SharpCap (DIY) PHD2 Custom version for Solar and Planetary Tracking Leo Shatz HelioMaker Acquisition Advanced
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Leo Shatz avatar
Leo Shatz avatar

For those of you experimenting with Lucky Imaging techniques on deep sky objects, especially planetary nebulae or compact targets, I wanted to share a workflow that may be of interest.

HelioMaker supports SharpCap Live Stack mode using single imaging camera for both imaging and guiding (limited to short exposures of 3-5 seconds or longer depending on type of your mount, current PA accuracy, etc.)

This enables a relatively uncommon but powerful setup:

  • Live stacking (Lucky Imaging style frame selection and rejection)

  • Continuous guiding through PHD2

  • No need for a separate guide camera or guide scope

This can be particularly useful when:

  • Working at longer focal lengths where differential flexure becomes a concern

  • Trying to maximize sharpness on compact DSOs using short exposures

  • Running simplified optical trains (single camera, single scope)

Curious to hear from others using Lucky Imaging for DSOs:

  • What exposure ranges are you using?

  • Guided vs unguided?

This screenshot showcases SharpCap Pro in Live Stack mode with Omega Centauri as the target, captured using my remote imaging rig with assistance of HelioMaker 1.4.4 and the custom PHD2 version 2.6.14-solar.1.

📷 LiveStack.jpgLiveStack.jpg

Happy to share more details if there is interest and also have your feedback.

Leo

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Tony Gondola avatar
Tony Gondola avatar

I’ve experimented with this type of imaging from time to time. With my setup (6” newt, EQ6r-pro mount) Just using short, unguided exposures seems to work best. Still, what you’re doing is of interest. One problem I can see is that with some objects, there just aren’t any stars on the field to guide on. Also wondering how it handles dithering.

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Leo Shatz avatar
Leo Shatz avatar

Tony Gondola · Apr 15, 2026, 02:46 PM

I’ve experimented with this type of imaging from time to time. With my setup (6” newt, EQ6r-pro mount) Just using short, unguided exposures seems to work best. Still, what you’re doing is of interest. One problem I can see is that with some objects, there just aren’t any stars on the field to guide on. Also wondering how it handles dithering.

That makes sense, and for some setups short unguided exposures can work very well.

Regarding guiding stars, the usual limitation comes from small sensor guide cameras with a narrow field of view. With HelioMaker, PHD2 uses the main imaging camera, so you get the full field of view of the primary sensor, which makes it much easier to find suitable guide stars even in relatively sparse fields.

One tradeoff to keep in mind is that large sensors with high pixel counts can slow down frame download times. For relatively small targets like planetary nebulae, this is typically addressed by using subframes, which helps increase frame rate while keeping the object of interest within the field of view.

As for dithering, it is handled through SharpCap, which can trigger it either every few seconds or after a defined number of frames. Both HelioMaker and SharpCap are connected to PHD2, with HelioMaker sharing frames for guiding and SharpCap managing dithering and Live Stack, so the workflow remains very similar to a standard setup, just without a separate guide camera.

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Tony Gondola avatar
Tony Gondola avatar

Interesting, Is there anything else I need to know to get this combination working?

Leo Shatz avatar
Leo Shatz avatar

Tony Gondola · Apr 16, 2026, 12:51 PM

Interesting, Is there anything else I need to know to get this combination working?

To get started with this workflow you would need HelioMaker together with SharpCap Pro, both installed and with an active license. HelioMaker integrates with SharpCap and PHD2, so once everything is set up the workflow is quite straightforward.

You can find setup details and documentation on the HelioMaker website.

In terms of licensing, HelioMaker is currently available as a yearly plan or a lifetime license. I am also considering adding a short term option, such as a one month license, for users who want to try it before committing, but I cannot yet say when or if that will be available.

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