Ever since I have began imaging IC434 for the season nearly 3 weeks ago, I have been plagued with nothing but issues getting reliable data from it, having to toss nearly 80% of my images due to very badly trailed stars, the strange thing is I know my issues are irrelevant to seeing or bad polar alignment or mount problems because all my other targets in my imaging sequence earlier in the night turn out perfect.
Checking the PHD2 guide log just now reveals the problem, there are no consistent stretches of guiding even happening due to lost guide star, I'm beginning to think this is perhaps because Alnitak is so bright it's messing up the guiding. How can I combat this? I could obviously change the gain in PHD2 but then I wouldn't be able to reliable guide on regular brightness stars for targets earlier in my imaging sequence.
I should clarify I have N.I.N.A setup currently to slew and begin imaging IC434 around 3am which is when it clears a tree in my neighbors yard to the southeast and is relativley high in elevation, so I know it can't be due to not having enough stars because of atmosphere or elevation.
Guide scope is an SvBony 30mm f/4 with a Touptek Camera.
Checking the PHD2 guide log just now reveals the problem, there are no consistent stretches of guiding even happening due to lost guide star, I'm beginning to think this is perhaps because Alnitak is so bright it's messing up the guiding. How can I combat this? I could obviously change the gain in PHD2 but then I wouldn't be able to reliable guide on regular brightness stars for targets earlier in my imaging sequence.
I should clarify I have N.I.N.A setup currently to slew and begin imaging IC434 around 3am which is when it clears a tree in my neighbors yard to the southeast and is relativley high in elevation, so I know it can't be due to not having enough stars because of atmosphere or elevation.
Guide scope is an SvBony 30mm f/4 with a Touptek Camera.
