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Active Optics device and Off-Axis Guider for Exoplanet work?

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Wed, 11/17/2021 - 10:52

I have an off-axis guide scope that uses PHD2 software for guiding.  A few questions:

A) Could I improve the tracking by adding an Active Optics device in the image train? 

B) In what way does an AO improve OAG guiding? 

C) Does the signal from OA going to the mount ever conflict with the signal from the OAG going to the mount? 

D) Should I get a combination device like the one shown here?

Starlight Xpress Large Format Active Optics Guiding System with OAG - SXV-AO-LF (highpointscientific.com)

Additional questions:

1) Is an OAG with AO (described above) better or worse than an On-Axis Guider (ONAG)?

2) Would the best combination be an AO device combined with an ONAG?

3) Which set of devices, described above, will produce the best possible tracking for Exoplanet work?  Thanks,

Ed

 

dennis-conti
Affiliation
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
Wed, 11/17/2021 - 11:42
AO and off-axis guider

Hi Ed,

My experience with an AO device and off-axis guider is that  an on-axis guider (ONAG) in place of both is able to keep the science images centered within 1 pixel over a 4-5 hour observation session, assuming good polar alignment.

Dennis