Orion 52083 - Manual (Page 15)

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Figure 12. The Moon’s surface detail looks the best along the terminator.
barlow lens between the SSDSMI-2 and telescope to extend the effective focal
length of the system and increase image scale (see “Using Focal Reducers and
Barlow Lenses”).
Since you will be taking multiple images over a period of time, it is important
the mount be polar aligned in order to keep the planet within the field of view
of the camera and to prevent image blurring due to poor tracking during each
exposure. To this end, you should also have the right ascension (R.A.) motor
drive engaged. Do not bother trying to obtain a perfect polar alignment, as that
will only be important for taking longer exposure images of deep sky objects;
most planetary exposures will be less than a few seconds.
To take multiple images of a planet for stacking:
1. Acquire the planet into the field of view of your telescope (barlow lens
attached) with an eyepiece and center the planet in the eyepiece’s field of
view. Focus the eyepiece with the telescope’s focuser.
2. Now, remove the eyepiece and replace it with the SSDSMI-2.
3. In the Camera Control Window, set the Mode to Light 1x1. Set Seconds
(exposure time) to 0.5 seconds to begin with. In the box below the Mode
box, select Focus. Click the Expose button.
4. Focus the camera using the telescope’s focus knob. The focus point for the
SSDSMI-2 will be approximately 15mm inwards from the eyepiece’s focus
point. If you are having trouble determining best focus, try focusing on a
bright star near the planet. Use the Planet setting in the Screen Stretch
Window. You can also use the histogram functions for most accurate
focus; this will be explained later (see “Focusing”). Click the Stop button in
the Camera Control Window when camera focus is achieved.