Seeking Beta Testers for Advanced PHD2 Planetary Guiding Module – Enhance Your Solar, Lunar, and Planetary Imaging Open PHD Guiding project PHD2 · Leo Shatz · ... · 14 · 1084 · 2

• Planetary Disk Guiding: Ideal for comprehensive imaging of solar, lunar, and planetary disks, as well as crescent shapes.
• Surface Feature Guiding: Offers enhanced tracking precision for detailed imaging of specific surface features.

• Time-Lapse Photography: Perfect for capturing the rotation of planets like Jupiter, the evolving surface of the Sun, or the dynamic landscape of the Moon.
• Transient Phenomena Capturing: Invaluable for long-duration time-lapses, keeping subjects such as solar flares or lunar transit events centered for hours.
• New Feature Consideration: I'm exploring additional features and am eager for input from experienced astrophotographers.

1. Join the Facebook Group: Get usage instructions and the download link here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1320781201963513
2. Put It to the Test: Experiment with a range of celestial targets. Push the limits of long-duration time-lapses and high-magnification imaging.
3. Share Your Findings: I’m particularly interested in your experiences, challenges, and any constructive feedback. Feel free to post in this thread or reach out to me privately.

Dunk:
Probably stupid question, but in the above screenshots is that a guide cam pointing at the sun, or the main camera? 

i ask because I’m using a daystar quark and no guidecam…

D.

Leo Shatz:

Lasse Skov:
Hi Leo

Is it possible to participate in the beta without using Facebook? That platform is not for me

The Windows binaries can be found in Releases section under Assets at this GitHub location: https://github.com/Eyeke2/phd2.planetary/releases

Leo Shatz:
I'm providing the following information for users of the PHD2 custom version with Planetary Tracking who do not have access to the Facebook platform and thus cannot view all the information shared on the dedicated Facebook forum.

The preferred method for guiding on the entire planetary disk, as well as full solar or lunar disks, is through the Eclipse mode. While I discourage disabling the Eclipse mode, the option remains available as a fallback in cases where Eclipse mode detection may fail. The Eclipse mode has sub-pixel detection accuracy, unlike the algorithm used when this mode is disabled. The Surface Features Tracking mode has the highest precision, but it requires higher magnification or longer guide scope focal length, while atmospheric turbulence, more pronounced with solar imaging, may worsen the detection accuracy.

Key parameters to focus on are the minimum and maximum radii settings. These should be carefully adjusted to match the radius of the planetary disk, with the minimum radius being slightly smaller and the maximum radius slightly larger than the actual disk radius.

Highlighting an Existing Feature - Separate Profile Management for Different Guiding Sessions:

I would like to bring your attention to a particularly useful feature in PHD2 that, while not new, I have recently discovered. This feature allows users to create and manage separate profiles for different guiding sessions, such as planetary guiding and night-time star guiding.

By using the command line parameter -i [instance number] in the PHD2 application shortcut, you can effectively run separate instances of the application, each with its own set of configurations. For instance, specifying -i 2 launches a second instance of PHD2, enabling it to operate with its unique settings for variables like exposure times, delays, algorithm settings, equipment profiles, and window positions.

This functionality is especially advantageous for astrophotographers who switch between planetary and star guiding. It allows for easy transitioning between sessions without the need to manually adjust settings each time. Simply use a different instance number (1 is the default for the primary instance) to maintain multiple, independent sets of configurations that cater to your specific observing needs.

Leveraging this feature can significantly streamline and enhance your astrophotography experience by keeping your planetary and star guiding environments distinct and readily accessible.

Leo Shatz:

Malcolm Park:

Leo Shatz:
I'm providing the following information for users of the PHD2 custom version with Planetary Tracking who do not have access to the Facebook platform and thus cannot view all the information shared on the dedicated Facebook forum.

The preferred method for guiding on the entire planetary disk, as well as full solar or lunar disks, is through the Eclipse mode. While I discourage disabling the Eclipse mode, the option remains available as a fallback in cases where Eclipse mode detection may fail. The Eclipse mode has sub-pixel detection accuracy, unlike the algorithm used when this mode is disabled. The Surface Features Tracking mode has the highest precision, but it requires higher magnification or longer guide scope focal length, while atmospheric turbulence, more pronounced with solar imaging, may worsen the detection accuracy.

Key parameters to focus on are the minimum and maximum radii settings. These should be carefully adjusted to match the radius of the planetary disk, with the minimum radius being slightly smaller and the maximum radius slightly larger than the actual disk radius.

Highlighting an Existing Feature - Separate Profile Management for Different Guiding Sessions:

I would like to bring your attention to a particularly useful feature in PHD2 that, while not new, I have recently discovered. This feature allows users to create and manage separate profiles for different guiding sessions, such as planetary guiding and night-time star guiding.

By using the command line parameter -i [instance number] in the PHD2 application shortcut, you can effectively run separate instances of the application, each with its own set of configurations. For instance, specifying -i 2 launches a second instance of PHD2, enabling it to operate with its unique settings for variables like exposure times, delays, algorithm settings, equipment profiles, and window positions.

This functionality is especially advantageous for astrophotographers who switch between planetary and star guiding. It allows for easy transitioning between sessions without the need to manually adjust settings each time. Simply use a different instance number (1 is the default for the primary instance) to maintain multiple, independent sets of configurations that cater to your specific observing needs.

Leveraging this feature can significantly streamline and enhance your astrophotography experience by keeping your planetary and star guiding environments distinct and readily accessible.

Greetings, I love the idea of Eclipse Mode. Is there documentation? I assume you call it this because it will track the sun or moon as they become crescents during the partial phases? If not, then it wouldn't be an eclipse mode right? Has eclipse mode been tested during an eclipse? Great concept, cheers!

Hi, sorry for late reply. I haven't been checking for messages in this area. I've created Wiki pages on the GitHub project, which could be helpful. Please refer to the Wiki section for more information https://github.com/Eyeke2/phd2.planetary