Jump to content

NLCbanner2024.jpg.2478be509670e60c2d6efd04834b8b47.jpg

sloz1664

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    4,385

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Posts posted by sloz1664

    Pre-Processing and Processing File Types

    in Discussions - Software

    Posted

    Hi Graham,

    I have always used Fits files for my images, normally 16 bit, but as of late 32 bit. The fit file structure carries with it the astro details for that particular file and is usually called a Fits Header. If the bit data is the same for a tiff file and a fits file there should be no degradation between the images. In fact, StarTools, an excellent image processing programme, outputs Tiff files and not Fit files. 

    922179927_fitsheader.JPG.2dd25b8c89b328ce3380cee97e7432ba.JPG

     

    Steve

     

    • Like 1

    Sequence Generator Pro - still value for money?

    in Discussions - Software

    Posted

    4 hours ago, Fellside said:

    Steve

    I read in the NINA forum that they are working towards Dome support. Weather is now supported and Switch's. I have not looked at what Weather does when it detects an unsafe condition. There is an option at the moment to run a script when the sequence finishes. So that could close the dome/roof. Unless I missed it I don't see an option to run a script at the beginning of a sequence.

    Graham

    Thanks Graham, I will look into this.

    Steve

    Sequence Generator Pro - still value for money?

    in Discussions - Software

    Posted

    16 minutes ago, steppenwolf said:

    My thought as well but don't think of POTH as a 'poor relation' to other dome control systems, I use it through choice in my remote observatory as it is just so good! POTH was replaced by 'Device Hub' from ASCOM v6.5 onwards but I am assured that it works just as well as POTH.

    Hi Steve, Having migrated to Ascom 6.5 I've had some quirky issues with POTH and reluctantly changed to Device Hub. Shouldn't have worried. It works great.

    Steve

    • Like 2

    Automating a 2.1 metre Pulsar Dome. Phase Two- Motorised Shutter

    in DIY Observatories

    Posted

    Well, last night I set up SGPro to run 5.5 hours of images to start at astro darkness, a test for the newly implemented shutter and the dome in general. At 9:24 pm SGPro kicked in, connected PHD2, opened the shutter, slewed the mount to the required target and synced the dome. So far, so good. After plate solving and focussing the imaging commenced as normal. So off to bed and see what tomorrow brings. Awoke to the Dome sitting in it's parked position and the shutter firmly closed. On entering the Obsy I found the mount parked and 5.5 hours of images stored on the hard drive. The one failure is a vbs script I had written to power off the electrics had not been implemented. Not a big deal as I know this works perfectly in Voyager.

    One happy chappie

    Steve

    • Like 2

    Automating a 2.1 metre Pulsar Dome. Phase Two- Motorised Shutter

    in DIY Observatories

    Posted

    Hi Nigel, 

    In retrospect I would have implemented the "full loop" drive chain approach, but I was worried about what happens at the fully open & fully closed positions and the amount of play this system has. However, the limit switches take care of this as they switch off the power and any play is taken up by gravity. The drive system I implemented, requires accurate placement of the limit switches and no allowance for error, which is a daunting, as if I had a limit switch failure it would keep trying to drive the shutter past it's stop. To overcome this I have checked the ampage under full load and fused 1 amp above this load.

    Have a look at a more powerful truck windscreen motor, although I would have though a standard windscreen motor would have sufficed. What sort of sliding mechanism is your shutter using at the moment?

    Just an update. After a few discussions with Hugh Gillespie regarding the electrical gremlins I had, I now have a fully functioning shutter system and are now implementing the safety systems ready for a fully automatic system. 

    BTW the Magic Wire system works a treat :)

    Steve

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.