Gina

Getting dark now - exposure increased to 0.3s and gain 100.

Crescent moon at pixel level - zoomed right in. Seems I haven't got the focus that bad. This is at almost minimum sensitivity - 32µs exposure and gain of 50.

When I get the colour camera those solid mid grey areas will show as blue.

Here come the clouds again...

Set up the ASC with 1.55mm lens on pole on guttering between showers. This is the full image on the ASI 178MM. The pole is at about a 10° angle so FOV is lower to the south. It can be seen that the E-W view well covers the sky. The roof and chimneys of the bungalow are at the top the frame. This shows that this lens is an ideal complement to the ASI 178 astro camera sensor.

1.55mm f2 fisheye lens arrived today and the ASI 178MC colour camera is due to arrive from FLO tomorrow so this project is back on. ?

Looks like I shall need another Peltier TEC sometime. The original came from Farnell Element 14 but I can't remember the type number, only that it was rated at about 15v and 2A (my observatory power supply is 13.8v). Nearest seems to be APH-127-10-25-S which is 15.4v and 1.9A. Tried the cheap Chinese ones in the past and they are very inefficient and not worth bothering about.

There isn't really any more I can do to the ASC until I get the 1.55mm lens (or possibly a replacement Fujinon 1.4mm though that's no longer the preferred option), so I've put all the parts in an empty box, labelled it and put it to one side. I need a rest from it anyway!

Oh I don't intend to give in though I might have to cut back just a little.

Maybe I should stick to doing things with my hands, though they're not as good as they were. I do seem to be having a problem just lately in getting my brain round the more complicated things. I'm getting worried that my age is catching up with me and now I'm being serious. I tend to make fun of these things and not take myself too seriously but I'm definitely not as clear headed as I was.

The only thing I seem to be having much joy with lately is arts and crafts - paper craft particularly! At W.I. Thursday evening we had a craft session making beads and hence bracelets or necklaces from rolled up bits of coloured paper and PVA glue. I made a necklace and won first place in the competition. I was flabbergasted.

Having printed enough parts to hold the camera, TEC and waterblock together, I set up to see how cold I could get the camera with the thermal insulation and all thermal parts in good contact with thermal grease (just light pressure). More trouble - no Peltier TEC current and no cooling Took it all apart again and checked volts across TEC - power was getting that far but no current. All I can think of is that an internal connection or one of the elements has gone open-circuit.

I have applied for return of that Fujinon 1.4mm lens and have ordered the 1.55mm lens from Bern at Modern Astronomy. Several parts printed successfully.

That might be alright if only I could get the dimensions right...

The more I think about it the more I like the idea of the 1.55mm f2 lens from Bern. It seems to give excellent resolution and no oblong stars. It's also smaller than the Fujinon making for a smaller overall rig.

Currently continuing to print parts for the ASC. I'll give lenses more thought over the weekend but I think I shall have to send that faulty Fujinon back.

It's 1/1.8" ASI 178MM at present 178MC in future - 5.992mm image height. In view of the trees and rising ground to the NW I don't need views down to the horizontal all the way round. The Fujinon 1.4mm lens gives 185 degrees and the full image circle is covered by the 178 camera sensor. This covers not only the sky but some of the ground around too (quite nice in daytime). I would prefer to buy from Bern at Modern Astronomy as I've bought there many times before and the service is excellent. The lens is a pound cheaper than Dew Control too.

Interesting thought - thank you. Yes, explaining daytime photography then going on to astronomical photography is definitely better.

The Dew Control 1.55mm All Sky Camera Lens looks very similar to the Arecont version and also Modern Astronomy seem to sell a similar one at a similar price. I reckon that would give me sufficient coverage if I can't get any joy with the Fujinon lens and the fact that it has a focus facility is a bonus.

I suppose I could wait and see what it's like with the colour version of the camera (ASI 178MC) which is on order. The dome might make a slight difference. I've been trying to think if there is anything that could cause the elongated stars other than a faulty lens.

This ASC seems jinxed ? Maybe I should turn my attention to something else for a while...

Yes, it's 1.4mm according to the label and it gives the full sky view. So yes, certainly seems the right one.

I guess there a vanishingly small possibility that distortion in the dome corrected the distortion in the lens... No, not so, I tried the lens without dome and it was perfect. I feel gutted! I don't know why the mast fell and it was sheer bad luck that the lens caught the corner of a paving stone. Guess I shall just have to put up with less than perfection! I guess I could ask for a replacement lens but there's no guarantee that another will be any better and could be worse.

No the lens is uncovered. The colour image was taken with the old lens and ASI 185MC camera last August with the 3" acrylic dome on. That was before a severe storm ripped it off the observatory roof.