For most applications guiding won't be necessary. The telescope is aligned properly and has been star drift tested. PLEASE DON'T CHANGE THE POSITION OF THE MOUNT. Images have been tested out to a minute exposure with no trailing. If you wish to go beyond a minute exposure you'll want to guide the telescope. Tracking involves first calibration and then the actual tracking (or autoguiding).

IMPORTANT: The pier and the floor are tied in together and this leads to vibrations that will occur under strong winds or even moving the dome. If you get trailing at one-minute exposures this is most likely due to this problem. Wait a moment for the system to dampen out before taking the exposure and it shouldn't be an issue.

The Musk Mars Desert Observatory actually has two different methods for guiding. One uses the efinder, and the other a guiding chip on the ST 2000XM.

Procedure for efinder: Make certain that the cable is connected between the STV Control Box and the pier. The cable connects between TELESCOPE on the Control Box and AUTO GUIDE on the pier. First acquire your target, set your exposure time and focus. Remember that the STV is controlled via the computer, but the image is seen on the television. The calibration time the STV selects is determined by the focal length of your telescope. We'll start by checking this setting.

1. Click on the SETUP button. Scroll to Focal Len. using the PARAMETER button. Make certain it is set to 140.0 in. If not change it using the VALUE button.
2. Click on the CALIBRATE button. Use the Auto setting. Click the CALIBRATE button again.
3. Everything will be done automatically. If the calibration is successful it will read PASSED. If not it will read ERROR: STAR? If that is the case you'll have to start the guiding process again.
4. Now you are ready to track. Click the TRACK button to enter that menu. Use the AUTO setting and the STV will do all the work. Click TRACK again to get started.
5. The star will be selected along with a graphic display.

Procedure for ST-2000XM: Make certain that the cable is connected between the Camera and the pier. The cable connects between the port on the filter wheel and the AUTO GUIDE port on the pier. We'll use CCDSoft for guiding.

1. In CCDSoft, go to the AUTOGUIDE tab in the CAMERA CONTROL.
2. Select the exposure and click TAKE IMAGE.
3. To select a guide star you can either choose the AUTO setting or the MOVE TO command. Choose a guide star that is bright but not saturating. Click on the guide star you choose.
4. Click CALIBRATE. If calibration fails, click SETTINGS and increase the X and Y calibration times.
5. Check your calibration by clicking on SETTINGS and then CALIBRATION RESULTS.
6. For autoguiding, click TAKE IMAGE and click on the guide star.
7. Click AUTOGUIDE to start tracking. Pay careful attention to the X and Y error values. When they are low enough click TAKE IMAGE to begin your exposure.