Stellarium and Celestial Equator
- John999R
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Stellarium and Celestial Equator
I've read that in PHD2, a guide star should be located in the area of the Meridian and the Celestial Equator. I use Stellarium and there is no listing for the Celestial Equator, but I also know the Celestial Equator is an extension of Earth's equator, but in outer space. I think checking either Equator (J2000) or the Equator (of date) in the View window of Stellarium is appropriate, correct? Between the two, is there a difference because they appear to have identical lines in Stellarium? Thank you.
- Star Dad
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Re: Stellarium and Celestial Equator
Dunno. But I have never actually checked that - my scope is generally not pointed in the direction of the Celestial Equator. So I just either manually use a not-too-dim and not-too-bright star in the area I am photographing - or let the NINA software select one. I do have to throw out some images due to inherent wobble in my mount or a plane/satellite ruining an image. But overall I have not had any problems using a star local to the object I'm imaging. PHD seems to correct and track quite well.
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- JayTee
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Re: Stellarium and Celestial Equator
If you are talking about the PHD2 "calibration" star then look at sticky #2 in this subforum.
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Re: Stellarium and Celestial Equator
The celestial equator is only used for a calibration star. (For guiding, you should choose something close to your imaging target.) For choosing a calibration star, you don't need any kind of precision at all. Any star with a declination coordinate (absolute value) less than 10 degrees is fine.
Stellarium shows the celestial equator when you turn on the Equatorial grid.
Stellarium shows the celestial equator when you turn on the Equatorial grid.
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- John999R
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