I am learning how to be a portable astronomer. I have to say that I dislike it.
There are a lot of things that have to go right in order for a photo shoot to happen. Mess up any of a dozen things, and it’s going to be a rough ride. When the rig can stay set up for several days in a row, the number of “variables”, as I like to call them, is reduced.
Among things that have to be right:
- polar alignment
- focus
- mechanical connection of the various parts of the rig
- balance (RA and Dec)
- collimation
- wiring harness
- software
… the list goes on. In fact, each of the things *in* the list is not just “a thing”, but a whole procedure.
So, my balance was off. In Dec definitely, but maybe in RA too. I’ve never really “grokked” the whole balance thing.
Whatever it was, my guiding was for crap all night. nice big bright stars, but I just couldn’t guide. I mean literally the thing sat there saying that it was off in Y, but it couldn’t get the axis back to center. I tried several things in software, but I think it was a hardware problem.
It sucked.
Nice clear night, too. It was clear again on Sunday. I didn’t go out Sunday. I was a bit disheartened by the whole thing.
Back to square one. I need to get the wiring harness all set up properly, rebalance the rig, and generally get everything working right again.
Add to that the feeling that my clear skies are soon going to be a thing of the past, and I’m pretty bummed out.
grr.