Here is a high-level view of the process with specific terms & stages explained in more detail later.
Hardware
This section assumes you will be using:
- Computer
- GOTO mount
- Telescope
- Guider (Already Focused)
- OSC Camera (Astro or DSLR)
- Focuser
- Dew Heater
Image Control Software with the following capabilities:
- Integration with Planetarium Software
- Scope Control
- Auto Focusing
- Plate Solving
- PHD2 guiding
The aim is to take a defined number of exposures (Lights) over a time (Total Integration Time) plus Calibration frames of a chosen target. The Image Control software will control all of these elements.
- Choose an object in the Planetarium software.
- Unpark scope & slew to target.
- If your scope is Polar Aligned and you are starting from a known position (even roughly) it is not necessary to do a star alignment if you are using Plate Solving.
- Auto Focus
- Plate Solve Target
- Frame & rotate the target
- Define imaging sequence:
- Number of frames; exposure, gain, offset
- Start Imaging.
Take Calibration Frames:
- Darks
- Lights
- Dark Lights OR Bias
The actual Software operation will vary for each different control system. Here is video of an example run through for NINA:
Set Up NINA: https://youtu.be/QW1h5KdcF4Y