TheSkySearchers

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.

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.

If you are talking about the PHD2 "calibration" star then look at sticky #2 in this subforum.

Cheers

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.

A late thank you to all.