My New Autoguiding Camera (ZWO ASI120MM Mini) for PHD Guiding

New Autoguiding Camera and Guide Scope
Autoguiding Camera: bit.ly/3qpWp47
PHD2 Guiding: openphdguiding.org/
In this video, I set up a new autoguiding camera for the first time. I use PHD2 guiding to with my new ZWO ASI120mm Mini guide camera and 60mm guide scope to improve the tracking of my telescope mount.
Using the Sky-Watcher EQ6-R pro, I photograph the Eastern Veil Nebula in the constellation Cygnus. This is a supernova remnant that lies about 1,470 light-years away. The final image includes 35 x 4-minutes at ISO 3200.
Follow my Instagram for the Latest Images: / astrobackyard
Thank you for watching, and clear skies!
Affiliate Links:
Some of the links in my video descriptions are affiliate links, which means at no extra cost to you, I will make a small commission if you click them and make a qualifying purchase.

[@peterfelperin9405]

I'm 70 years old, and am finally able to get started with astrophotography after years of using binoculars and a friend's 6" reflector. I'm putting my kit together now, and can't thank you enough for your videos and website. Your videos get better each time, and I've learned so much thanks to your clear, concise narratives. Keep up the good work!

[@JosephOlar]

Never too late

[@brod5352]

I'm 67 and i'm looking to move to a place where I can add a small observatory on the property. This hobby does have a learning curve, but slowly I'm starting to see some results. The hardest thing for me to deal with is the lack of sleep. But as long as you sneak in a nap in the afternoon, it's not so bad. ;o)

[@ronaldwest2264]

@@brod5352 Afternoon naps are a necessary part of life at our age, whether we stay up all nite looking at the wonders of the Universe or not. It doesn't seem fair. As soon as we get old and smart, our bodies fall apart. The trouble with youth is... that it is wasted on the young.

[@PafMedic]

Im 51 And Fully Agree,lol..But I Also Love Solar Viewing..Its Rough Sometimes😂

[@najibnajjar9526]

I totally agree. Thank you Trevor.

[@willissutherland8516]

I too am in my 70s and getting started in Astrophotography...Same as Peter I thoroughly enjoy and learn so much from your videos...All I can say is thank you thank you thank you

[@erforscher]

Not only your astrophotography but also your cinematography is awesome !

[@AstroBackyard]

I appreciate that very much!

[@erforscher]

@@AstroBackyard I can't wait to start astrophotography, but I gotta wait since I am going to college this year😅 So for now I enjoy your videos and take a note of your invaluable tips😊. I just can't wait. btw did you start astrophotography when you were in college?

[@stoicbloke]

I sit here waiting for my telescope and camera to arrive and with video you post my impatience to get properly started with DSOs is growing exponentially! Keep inspiring, Trevor.

[@danjensen9425]

Great video , I took my first picture with my cellphone hand held of the moon in late March of this year . That started my journey in astrophotography. I just imaged the lagoon nebula a few nights ago and freaked on the results , no wonder people focus on nebula so much. Now tonight I start the autoguiding part of this hobby , the game changer as they say , at first all of it from the beginning is mind bending but after watching videos over n over n over I get it . Thanks again this video is what I needed as I have the asi 120 mm mini and a 60mm guide scope for my c8 that has the focal reducer from celestron. I’m only concerned about the focal length at 1280 but if I have to go to a larger guide scope I will . Have plenty of time till new moon .

[@spookydonkey2195]

One of the biggest things that helped me when I started guiding was slightly longer exposure on the guide cam. Instinctively I thought shorter would be more accurate but ended up chasing seeing conditions, much more time waisted than I’d like to admit. The yard looks great by the way!

[@tonyveroni3600]

Hey Trev, great video. Observatory is almost done and soon the EDGE HD 800 will be mounted, on my 3700lb of concrete atop my metal pillar with the all important AVX PLATE! I appreciate all the pointers in this video siting all of the numerous albeit basic steps needed to be completed, in order to capture awesome results. I think watching your videos will allow me to keep at least some of my hair when I cure everything up. Cheers my friend. Your work is so inspiring!! Tony V

[@johnstephan8684]

WOW WOW WOW! The best educational, exciting video to date. Trevor, I have been a loyal subscriber for sometime, and your presentation and astronomical skill set have peaked. Love the monitor, big improvement. Since retirement from the airlines a year ago, I have been working up to the astrophotography challenges. Between you and Dylan at Starstuff, I am ready now to attempt my first serious image. THANK YOU!!

[@joecooksey4331]

You are turning into a real comedian.... love it! BEST astrophotography channel anywhere!

[@DarkArtsAstrophotography]

I got this guide scope last year. What a HUGE improvement over the old 50mm Orion mini. It's a fantastic, all metal construction vs plastic, has excellent optics vs passable, and a buttery smooth focuser vs no focuser at all. And it's about the same price that Orion charge for their lesser guide scope. This thing is a winner in every way. I'm sure you'll love it.

[@Yetithruhikes]

Trevor, I appreciate the videos you're making. I think they encourage a lot of people to get into this hobby. Regarding this video specifically I have a few comments which I think are important: 1. When deciding on a guide scope. It is not the focal length of imaging scope and guide scope that solely determine what's best. It is actually the image scale ratio between the two. In your case, your imaging scale is around 1.5arcsec per pixel. Which is relatively forgiving for seeing and errors. Your guiding scale is roughly 3.4 arcsec per pixel. So the ratio between the two is about 2.25 which is a very good ratio. And that is the deciding factor on which guidescope/camera to get. 2. Regarding the PHD2 RMS, the number 1" you gave is not correct at all times. It depends on the image scale of your setup and seeing conditions. But as a beginner ball park I agree its a good measure to start with. 3. The statement that what's important is the image is true. However, it is important to emphasize that the processing skills are as important or maybe even more than the acquisition skills. Your final image is beautiful, but there is a lot of processing involved and a lot of experience needed for that. Its not going to just miraculously happen when taking a sub. 4. This is a color camera. Which means that in practice your resolution is even lower than 1.5"/pp that I mentioned in 1. Because of the way color camera works. So when doing really wide field targets the fine resolution is not that big of a deal. Anyways, just wanted to clarify a few things for people that follow this. Keep up the good work!

[@richardlambert1528]

Great video Trevor. There really aren't that many videos that just simply explain the basics for us beginners. Really helpful! Thanks 😁

[@TanNguyenProductions]

New sub here. Because of you I just recently ordered the sky adventurer pro bundle. So excited! Please don’t ever change your style of your videos. I love how informative it is, the cinematography is great, and I absolutely love the music. It compliments your videos so well. Looking forward to see your channel blow up. Clear skies, from St. Louis, MO.

[@i_n_c_r_y_p_t_o]

Thanks so much, have been following your channel for a while. Great final image! I just ordered the Sigma 150-600 Contemporary to use with both my Nikon D750 and D7200, both for astrophotography and wildlife/birding. Thought it would be a great way to get a lens that can handle both, and basically allow me to have two amazing photography hobbies at once. Next is the iOptron iEQ30 Pro mount, along with a light pollution filter and other items. Keep up the great work; your videos are very inspiring!

[@paulabrierley7979]

What a superb video Trevor. I agree 100% about obsessing over the PHD2 graph. I've done it many many times when I'm imaging with my Losmandy G11-Gemini2 and Altair 115EDT and cameras. After a 5 minute sub. If the stars look round that's okay with me despite what the graph is showing you.

[@TheJjb5345]

Excellent Information Trevor! Thanks so much for the inspiration! I'm just starting out so I need all the inspiration I can get. I have the EQ6-R pro and the Skywatcher 100ED triplet. I'm so excited to start using it, but too much snow here in Spokane WA right now. I'll just keep watching your Utube guidance lessons until I can take my rig outside. Thank you! John

[@peterdmatthews7427]

Great job mate. Keep doing what you love!

[@user-jn4ih2sy7j]

Holy f... amazing work once again Trevor, this image gave me chills

[@gavin5326]

Hey Trevor! Your videos got me into this hobby recently. I have that same guide camera :). The weather in Ireland has been terrible all year I haven't gotten a clear sky in weeks. I'm using this time to upgrade my pier and build an observatory. Great video that is my favourite nebula :)

[@astroEnthusiast1]

I'm learning quite a bit from you Trevor, please keep up the fantastic work!!

[@whitepolarbearmc8367]

Hey Trevor! Due to watching your videos, I've been inspired to start star watching. I'm working on getting a celestron skymaster 15×70 Binocular and tripod. I've always wanted to observe the cosmos but thought I would need an expensive setup like your. After learning that I could start off with binoculars I was inspired to go for it!! Thanks!

[@Ms_Dana]

I just bought the zwo asi120 on your recommendation, and downloaded the software as well. thank you for the video and will share my images in the future

[@MarcoPolux]

i did't think this possible. . . to make cinematography from a backyard of a 2400 ly nebula! I sound so nerd, but I am amazed as hell. Someday someday I hope will be doing this also. 👍 👍 👍

[@keithwepking9988]

This hobby is fun, not counting the staying up all night. At 63 it's not easy to stay up past 9 pm. However that being said, I want to advance from observing to astrophotography. Love your videos, very professional. Clear skies!

[@tommccrorie8022]

Brilliant content as always, Trevor!

[@elmikol2443]

Trevor, thanks for sharing this. Thanks for showing Rudy!

[@ahamilton63]

We love seeing Rudy. What a sweet boy!

[@barrymerrikin8093]

Congratulations on your APODACA picture today Trevor - well deserved!

[@steveweintraub1113]

Thanks for reviewing the ASI 120mm guide scope. I received mine about 2 months ago after my Starlight Express Lodestar X2's chip failed. Love the ZWO ASI 120's performance; using Maxim DL 6 for guiding with an Orion CT 80 guide scope. I'm going to play around w/PHD 2 but have had great guiding using Maxim. Regardless, a great guide camera and just got my ZWO Pole Master after it being on back order so looking forward to using that; I really liked your review of that as well!

[@GI0TSS]

Always love your videos Trevor, very informative for a new beginner like myself here in Northern ireland. Have the ZWO 120 mini, great wee camera.

[@shawnewaltonify]

This picture says a thousand words and two of them are: astounding sharpness!

[@whopperlover1772]

Your content is incredible. Some of the best on KZbin.

[@figzastro-photography]

Nice work. I hope you are printing those shots and hanging them up around your home. Those are images to be proud about. Congrats.

[@ragrabau]

All I can say is Wow! Outstanding image. Time to get back to imaging. C11, ONAG, ZWO OSC camera. Now to pick a good target.

[@willissutherland8516]

WOW...I love your Presentations...I purchased the ZWO ASI 120mm mini based on how well it works and because of your detailed Presentation I found your Williams STC astro narrowband...they are out there but maybe on backorder..Thanks sooooo Much for your Presentations...as soon as I can find my CC I will join your Presentations...

[@willissutherland8516]

Newbie here both in astrophotography and joining as a Newbie member...Trevor....You mentioned Live Feed at position 633 or thereabout...Is the Live feed you are refering to = computer...I will assume unless you tell me different...Thank you so much Trevor

[@willissutherland8516]

See - I told you I am a Newbie...Your Presentations have really and I mean really MOTIVATED ME...Finally I can find the answers as opposed to trial and error for such a long time..

[@Dylans_astro]

I was actually looking to purchase this guide package, your video was posted at the perfect time. Great video Trevor!

[@ChrisTardif_]

I think that was one of your best videos. Very well put together.

[@AstroGuy]

Your videos just keep getting better and better, awesome videos. 😄🤟 Plus I love astronomy. 😁

[@dekemp1986]

Spectacular veil again😊 The new screen in the garage works nice Trevor. Looks more personal then a mugshot pasted in the corner. Only thing is the focus on the screen shifts with you moving in front.

[@remihanscotte2485]

The very best of Astrophotography, as usual. Thank you. Rémi

[@ColinDane]

Great video Trevor, I think it's very helpful for people starting out! And what a gorgeous shot of the Eastern Veil... The Cygnus Loop is one of my favorite areas of the night sky.

[@mabd001]

Your videos keep me motivated in astrophotography😄. Keep up the great work!

[@AstroBackyard]

So glad to hear that man. Thank you and clear skies!

[@MrPedalpaddle]

Very helpful - I have exactly this guide scope & camera arriving next week!

[@grkuntzmd]

Thanks much for this video. I have a new auto-guider (ZWO 30mm f/4 Mini) and ZWO ASI120MM-MINI camera and the part on focusing was very helpful. I'll be trying them with my new William Optic GS61 on a Skyguider Pro and ASIair Pro as soon as the weather cooperates.

[@stuartwilson5772]

Fabulous image Trevor. Lockdown forced me to push myself and I’ve actually tinkered with PHD2 guiding as well as plate solving with APT, both reasonably successfully. Hopefully soon I’ll get the chance to deploy all this and more out in the field away from the local heavy light pollution. Just need some portable power for my laptop and come the proper darkness of August onwards I’ll be all set. Of course I could go for a ZWO ASIair Pro but I’d need to re-learn a few things! Keep your inspiring videos coming 👍🏼

[@wesleydonnelly2141]

ye know Trevor, i never watched this vid before bc the title didn't interest me!? But i just watched it after running dry on "My fix of AstroBackyard" lol. Then I saw this and clicked play! Well it was/is great! Thanks! ( I'm reminded of that old saying..."Never judge a book by it's cover"... ) Wes, Liverpool, UK.

[@sirmeowcelot]

Thanks Trevor for another exciting educational video.keep them coming.

[@GRTObservatory]

Hi Trevor, thats again a really interesting quality video and exceptional resulting image! Great job!

[@fluphybunny930]

That image is amazing. It looks almost like a 3D render!

[@macmad42]

Fantastic video and picture but it’s also nice seeing how you are changing stuff over the years to make yourself more comfortable on the cold nights

[@sylvainfavreau5689]

Great video Trevor like always it's informing and you answer my question about autoguiding and I will get a ASI120.Keep doing you're great job you're so good and yes it was special when you were in your old garage!

[@bryanjames5767]

Good job Trevor keep up the good work! Don't let the PHD graph bullies get you down LOL!

[@przemekmajewski1]

as always, wonderful pictures, detailed video, great music and tasty cuts :)

[@TheUrbanAstronomer]

Awesome image and great tips for guiding Trevor! Enjoyed the video.

[@jujubean7664]

Thank you Trevor for your videos, they inspired me to start astrophotography. That shot of the Veil was beautiful!!

[@AstroBackyard]

I am so glad. Thank you!!

[@yosmith1]

Thanks, this will be very helpful in about 13 years when all of the equipment I ordered comes back in stock :)

[@geoffnash3098]

Beautiful scope that's one big heavy mount awesome setup

[@syncros4142]

Great vid! Waiting on my new telescope and mount to show up to start my new hobby, watching your videos definitely "encouraged" me to get going on it haha excited to see what you do with the SCT!

[@eugenesiegel5239]

Good discussion. I have same set-up on guide system as yours and had similar focus issues particularly because I travel with my scope to dark sites. I solve it by focusing in the daytime on a mountain or tower or telephone pole. This puts you in the ballpark. Doing it at night is a pain to find bright star areas.

[@RealAliAbbas]

You are such a great motivation for us..Keep aiming and May you get clear skies :)

[@AstroBackyard]

Thank you very much!

[@AaronDalton1]

Beautiful finished product Trevor! Veil is such a perfect target for duo narrowband. Would still love to see you dive into pulse guiding/ platesolving and make your life easier down the road.

[@geert5811]

Hello Trevor, what a coincidence my ZWO ASI120mm Mini guide camera arrived today; thanks for the useful tips. g

[@AstroPhotos]

Great image of the Eastern Veil Trevor. I love how clean the image looks with nicely balanced processing as well. The 120MM Mini is a great little guide camera, been there on a cold night trying to focus it with live loop on though!

[@pezz_pezzer]

Holy crap, “it was 200 Canadian so about $10 US” wow that got me laughing hard.

[@StereoSpace]

Awesome photo and nice setup.

[@1sakshamgaur]

astrophotography and your cinematography skills. awesome sir. your videos inspired me to start astrophotography. love from India.

[@abood-2639]

Thank you for inspiring me to buy a DSLR and start Astrophotography! Clear skies:)

[@AstroBackyard]

Glad to hear that Abood! Clear skies :)

[@davidmurren4644]

Nice image! Tip for that 120mm. Turn the gain down to 10 or 20 in PHD and it will auto select a brighter star with much higher SNR. I found that high gain and it was selecting very faint stars which are of course more influenced by the seeing. My guiding RMS literally halved simply by doing this. CEM25P btw

[@martijnschuman]

Perfect timing. I just went looking for a autoguiding setup!

[@mikethetechgeek2666]

I really like your image Trevor, nicely done

[@michaelkbutler]

Hooray! Truly great video

[@corinlewis3073]

Hey Travor, Please send some of your good weather here to London, U.K . The weather here has been cloudy for almost a week, I'll loved to get outside with my Telescope and Starwatcher adventure mount and my Canon 600D camera, let's hope the weather gets better soon, clear skies 🌠

[@Gekiko7167]

I will buy my first Astrophotography setup next year!!!

[@KENNGODD1]

Very Awesome Bro for a sec I thought you were going to bust out some expensive guide scope setup but this I like very similar to my setup only I got a 50mm guide scope. Very Cool Vid, Cheers and Clear Skies from South Texas 😁👍

[@carlrobinrydbergh5534]

Hey! I really think your videos and explainations are amazing. The content you are making is very unique on KZbin. One thing I've been thinking of almost every time after watching one of your videos is that the picture reveal at the end is truly amazing and it makes sense that one nights project in this result in one masterpiece. However, I think it would be super super cool if you maybe could construct just a montage of your bes work with either commentary of how you shot it or just music! Either way, happy to see your channel growing, Cheers, Carl

[@WlnterW]

With PHD2 I found it's a good idea to run the "Guiding Assistant" under the tools tab. It records a few minutes of guiding and then gives suggestions on a few settings. Can't hurt to try the suggestions it gives and if it doesn't improve you can always revert to the default settings. For me it gave a slight improvement to total error... Maybe it can help on nights where guiding won't behave properly.

[@astronomybob]

Nice Veil Trevor !! 👍👍

[@matthew944]

The video you posted about beginning the astronomy 🔭 journey inspired me to get a10” dobsonian. I took it out for the first time last night and was completely blown away! Thank you for your videos and insight.

[@AstroBackyard]

I am honored. To share these experiences is truly a blessing

[@daveincanada4794]

The Canon Ra does a fabulous job doesn't it? Wow. Excellent tutorial on PhD Trevor. Thanks!

[@niagarascenes]

Great video. Good explanation for newby astrophotographers

[@channone]

Thanks for sharing your love and passion for astrophotography. Have you every thought of doing a video on focusing when using narrow band filters?

[@robcarew5925]

I subscribed to you because you are excellent. I love your way of explaining. Your Dog is beautiful and must love when you take out your Telescope,

[@rodericktimmerman9779]

"...stuck out there without the right extension tubes..."- I learnt that the hard way, needed this video 2 weeks ago!

[@DarkArtsAstrophotography]

This happened to me with an older setup. GOt out into the field for the first time with my new guide scope and couldn't hit focus because the guide scope didn't have the tube I needed. Very frustrating.

[@cryptojihadi265]

Hot DAMN!!! That Veil is gorgeous!

[@hsocommunity7209]

Thanks 😊 for uploading your images in social media sites...and video in youtube...have a great day.

[@AstroBackyard]

My pleasure, thank you!

[@wadeprunty]

Love the comment about people getting caught up on the technical aspects of astrophotography. But seriously, we gotta get you off APT. Just seeing that UI on your video gives me the heebie-jeebies.

[@Flubberkoekje]

Man this is so inspiring. I'd absolutely love get into astrophotography. I just don't have the money at the moment.

[@davidmeissner5010]

Another super image. Thanks.

[@marcosastrophotography100]

Great as always Trevor, thanks a lot 🤩✨🔭👍

[@nickambrose8606]

That's a stunning image

[@Phillymanjaro]

wow so cool Trevor

[@arcturus7774]

I'm 15 now I have a small but cute telescope. I hope one day I'm gonna be like you ♡ Ily so much.

[@darrenbuchan3957]

Excellent as always !!

[@XShadowAngel]

Thanks for the video! Useful as always.

[@Joshua-fc7ri]

Absolutely great picture.

[@timbrowning357]

Great video Trevor. Just getting started in the hobby myself. Do you have any videos where you discuss how you decide your ISO and exposure times? I’m guessing you’re looking at the histogram of test images but as a newbie would love to see an explanation of that part of your process.

[@linuxkidd]

Great video as always Trevor... one thing I'd like to point out -- the ST4 guide port use is kind of considered "old school" now. Using the ASCOM interface allows PHD2 to get the declination and side of pier from the mount and use these values in guiding calculations. -- ST4 still obviously works, but one less cable to use and better accuracy if you already have ASCOM configured for the mount.

[@AstroBackyard]

I get that a lot! I guess I'm just an "old-school" imager :) I appreciate the comment!

[@texansarebest]

AstroBackyard while it’s great everything works well as is, I think you have a large enough platform and influence on KZbin to start teaching and using the more advanced techniques. Especially to show those who are already at this point how to further make their setups, imaging, and processing more efficient and overall better. Things like ditching ST4, using platesolving instead of 3 star alignment, and of course PixInsight. Not trying to be rude or anything just that there’s optimization that can be done but could be intimidating to some viewers who look to your channel for guidance.

[@anthonyexmouth]

@@texansarebest Gotta agree, when using ASCOM/EQMOD ditching the ST4 should be the first thing to do, one dropdown box in EQMOD and that's one less cable to worry about.

[@AaronDalton1]

Totally agree Michael. Not having to recalibrate every time you slew the mount is a great time saver for anyone who wants the most out of their night, especially if you shoot multiple targets.

[@stormingbarney4498]

Bloody hell - impressive photo.

[@philipmichel270]

Love your videos!

[@TheWonkyAstronomer]

Very nice image indeed and great tutorial on guiding.

[@Lasastard]

Thanks for the video, just what I was looking for. Just ordered the little guy to replace a stand-alone system that wasn't fully compatible with APT (like guide sar re-acquisition after meridian flip).