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A new member from West Yorkshire. ENGLAND.

andy271160

By andy271160
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andy271160

andy271160

Posted
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Good afternoon everyone, it is very unusual for me to join any discussion group, but for whatever reason I have found myself drawn into the world of Astro-imaging and I know absolutely nothing or at least it feels like that when I try and study the craft, not being very knowledgeable about camera use is not helpful.

I have spent a lot of time researching the minefield of information and have probably bought some items that are not needed, hopefully I have also made some better choices as well.

As I am quite badly disabled I do have both physical and other issues that can restrict me, for instance I am in a wheelchair and that limits some places I could go due to terrain, I cannot see through an eye piece and have to view either on my laptop or better still a 48" smart TV.

With everything taken into account I THINK that I am ready to start learning and hopefully there might be some kind people on here who would have the patience to offer some guidance.

So this is a little bit about me, I look forward to sharing some experiences with as many people as possible.

Thanks in advance

Andy

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swag72

swag72

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Hi Andy and welcome to SGL - Glad that you found us and decided to join, we're a friendly bunch with a wealth of knowledge.

If you are interested in imaging and DSOs in particular then you will do much worse than buying a copy of Making Every Photon Count available from the book section of the FLO website. This is an imagers bible and many folks have a copy. Everything I have learnt about imaging has been due to this book and the good folks of forums who have been ready to offer help and guidance.

Look forward to seeing you around :)

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ronin

ronin

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What items have you bought?

Can I/we assume that to view on a laptop means a scope and a webcam, and then that astro imaging means long exposure DSO imaging ?

If you are thinking planetary imaging then I suspect that you have the equipment for that, although there are not that many planets.

First thought that came to me was that iOptron and WO did a lightweight imaging set up of the iOptron SmartEQ and the WO Zenithstar 71.

The tripod the mount comes on is a bit lightweight, you may be able to get the next one up but that needs looking into.

I suspect saying HEQ5 and 80mm apo is not applicable and the above would I suspect fit.

May sound extreme at present but it could be a thought to have a pillar set in the garden (?) somewhere (depends on how involved you get). It is fixed and so no strange contortions peering through a crazily positioned polar scope. Also less stuff to cart around.

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xtreemchaos

xtreemchaos

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hi Andy and welcome to the wonderfull world of SGL from south wales.i am disable too i have leg and eye problems but i can still walk a bit and i can manage with the eyepeice but i agree it dos look better on a big tv. ask about anything astro on this site and you will get loads of ansers, people are allways happy to help.clear skys..charl..

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Stu

Stu

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Hi Andy,

In your situation, I think video astronomy may well be very rewarding for you.

Put simply, this means using a sensitive video camera, either mono or colour to capture the image in almost real time through the scope and display it on your TV. Camera wise you can look at the Samsung SCB2000P at the entry level or Watec, Mallincam or Minitron as other possibilities. These can give you colour views of deep sky objects.

You will of course need a scope, possibly a fastish reflector of reasonable aperture, and at least a tracking/go to mount, an EQ would probably be best if you can get it permanently set up.

There is a dedicated section on SGL for Video Astronomy and the chaps there will be able to give much more detailed advice.

Good luck

Stu

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andy271160

andy271160

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Thanks Sara

I will follow your advice and invest in the book you mentioned, shamefully I cannot retain/recall abbreviations, could you translate DSO's & FLO, I suspect the first could be deep space objects but you would be amazed how poor my basic logic has become. 

Thanks for being my first 'welcome' message, I lived in Spain for a number of years at the beginning of the millennium, the sky was definitely clearer there than here.

I wonder if you assist me with an issue I am struggling with at the moment and oddly enough it relates to imaging the sun? basically whilst I can find it and view it and capture it, I have no idea how to video it because I have no idea how to track it. If I explain my setup you might have a insight into what I need to learn.

My equipment consists of TELESCOPE = Celestron Sky Prodigy 6sct, CAMERA = Canon DSLR 1200D (EOS) + (1MP Celestron USB drop in camera with software that can shoot video, align and stack frames to result in one photo image) I have a suitable Solar filter (and I blank of my telescope camera scope to protect internal camera which is used for computerised set up align and track at NIGHT)

When trying to track the sun I have to rely on the handset control and manually move the scope to try an keep the image in sight but obviously this is not good enough to video a few minutes of video or to try time lapse.

I hope I have explained myself clearly and that you can offer some idea's.

Thanks in advance Sara

Regards

Andy

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andy271160

andy271160

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Gosh

I never expected such a quick and kind list of welcomes, I feel a lot more relaxed now so thank you all, looking at your messages would it be sensible for me to list my equipment at the end of each message??

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swag72

swag72

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Where were you in Spain then Andy? We've been over here for over 5 years now and love it ....... no plans to move back :D The skies are indeed clearer, but this year has been a bit of a wash out for the first 4 months. Most annoying.

Regarding the sun and tracking - I really don't know the answer to your question ................ It's probably best to ask in the right forum if you are struggling to get it sorted. I am a terrible fraud in reality, knowing next to nothing about almost everything :)

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andy271160

andy271160

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Where were you in Spain then Andy? We've been over here for over 5 years now and love it ....... no plans to move back :D The skies are indeed clearer, but this year has been a bit of a wash out for the first 4 months. Most annoying.

Regarding the sun and tracking - I really don't know the answer to your question ................ It's probably best to ask in the right forum if you are struggling to get it sorted. I am a terrible fraud in reality, knowing next to nothing about almost everything :)

Hi Sara,

We lived between Alicante and Valencia but several miles inland up in the mountains, with real locals, we also loved it but had to return to the UK due to family health stuff. Still dream of returning, but only dream.

How can you pretend to be a fraud with over 8000 posts, you fraud :wink: .

Thanks

Andy

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swag72

swag72

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We're near Valencia ourselves Andy..... Such a great life. Helped by not having to work :D

Its nice to be in a place where Spanish is spoken and you need to make an effort rather than just live in England with some sunshine:)

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