I've been having what is becoming a frustrating experience with large RA spikes. I've lost track of how many nights that I've focused on just getting guiding under control, maybe 5 or so. I've switched my setup from my APO to my SCT for galaxy season, so there's a bunch of recent changes, but all of the equipment was used before and performed pretty well. This exact setup has performed performed around 1.1 to 0.7 RMS, and this was before multistar-phd2. Right now I'm having a hard time keeping it below 2.0 RMS. There are some huge spikes (10 .. 14 or so) happening somewhat regularly, but not on a precisely regular schedule. Here's some examples of the time gaps between the spikes: 197s, 247,? 412, 485. The setup is an EdgeHD8 with a 0.7 focal reducer and an OAG. 178MC camera for guiding. I'm thinking of switching to the guide scope just to see what I can find. If everything is great there, then maybe there's some sort of flexure in the OAG image train.? I've gone through things carefully, making sure my PA is good, balance is good, wires are not snagging etc. Help!!!
This is not the infamous 76 second spike is it???
It's such a strange spike, maybe there's something going weird with the camera? I'm going to try and guide with the main camera just to see what I see.?
Help!
Jamie Amendolagine