Leo Triplet / M65 + M66 + NGC 3628

 Posted: Feb 24th, 2025
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NGC
IC
HD
Technical Info
Telescope/Lens: Sky-Watcher 200 PDS
Camera: Canon EOS 6D
Mount: HEQ5 Pro
Guide Scope: Svbony SV106
Guide Camera: Qhy5iii715c
Software: ASTAP, GraXpert, Photoshop
Accessories: Baader 2" MPCC Mark III
Exposure:
55 x 60" ISO/Gain: 1600
Yellow zoneLight Pollution:
 Selo Bolshie Gorki Moskovskaya Obl 55838089 36245907, Russia
 Feb 23rd, 2025
55 m
655
My first photo with guiding)
Resolution: 4657x2930 px
Scale: 53856 KB
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Comments

Good evening. If I may, a practical question. I'm considering using a small SV106 with a focal length of 240 mm as a guide scope. However, for the intended guiding, I only have a 70mm refractor with a focal length of 400 mm. Could you tell me if this is too large, or could I try using such a setup for guiding?
24 Feb, 2025 Reply
Nikolay Gorbunov Replied to Scuttum
Well, it should work in principle. The larger the guide scope, the more stars it sees, which is good. The Svbony SV106 has an aperture ratio of f/4, while your refractor is f/6 (even though the diameter is larger, the focal length is also longer, so it actually sees fewer stars).
+ The guide scope must be firmly mounted, and with a larger mass, that becomes more difficult.
In summary, I can say: Give it a try, look at the stars, check the star drift in PHD2. If it's less than 1", that's excellent. During this imaging session, my star drift was around 2.3", which is poor, but I was too cold to adjust everything (and it was my first time anyway).
24 Feb, 2025 Reply
Scuttum Replied to Nikolay Gorbunov
Yes, you're right that it's heavy and will need to be securely fastened. I was actually thinking of mounting it on the declination axis along with a counterweight.
Thanks for the advice and for paying attention to my question! :)
25 Feb, 2025 Reply

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