Gina

I didn't really understand that! Most of it was quite clear and understandable. I hadn't seen that programme before, so I guess it was a new one.

That's odd!

Well, it wasn't aimed at us. It did give me some ideas for my talk on astrophotography (or "Pretty Pictures of the Night Sky") though.

Just got a cuppa - that's better... Only watching this programme because I don't feel up to doing anything else! Seen it all before...

Yawn!!

Yes, noticed that. Already on the right channel watching a nature programme.

I have my TV sound output connected to one of the aux inputs on my HiFi amplifier which feeds my big floor-standing speakers.

Repeat on in 5 minutes - BBC FOUR.

Like the Romany shaped roof...

I think Saturn was the first thing I imaged. With a cheap Celestron Newt with clockwork tracking in RA only and a webcam.

Remote imaging with it would be quite something. Wonderful if you can manage it!! Good luck.

If it was EQ it wouldn't need both axes running to track the stars.

It would be better if it was EQ. That gives camera rotation. Also, one axis looks like friction drive - inaccurate.

Congratulations from me too.

I have had adverts that have nothing to do with my online activities including betting which I don't believe in - I don't even do the lottery.

I used AstroPi3 with Ubuntu MATE and ZWO cameras. I'm afraid I have no knowledge about Altair cameras.

X2 ASI120 Looks like the ASI120 would be better for a widefield rig. Maybe the SX for telescopes with OAG as I have used that setup before. The OAG has the right thread. I have also used a separate finderscope as guidescope before.

All this seems so much easier in KStars/Ekos/INDI with RPi. than it was in Windoze!! The more I use it the more I'm impressed! 😀

I have the Starlight Xpress Lodestar X2 Autoguider. Wonder if this would be better than the ASI120MM-S

I might try using PHD2 later when I use a telescope for imaging rather than widefield with lenses but only if the Ekos guider isn't up to scratch - using PHD2 adds complication. I have 3 200mm lenses altogether so I could make up a triple rig with two ASI1600 cameras for imaging and the ASI120 as guide camera. Yes, I am aware that good focus/resolution isn't needed for guiding and that slight defocussing is beneficial. I've done that in the past with my guide camera.

Yes, I saw it too - very interesting.

Thanks. What lens or scope are you using for the guiding and what FL for the main imaging?

Thank you both. I have a selection of cameras I could use for guiding, one complete with lens. I would need to check which ones INDI supports - pretty sure the ASI120MM-S is supported. I forget which other cameras I have ATM - they're out in the observatory. Should be able to plug the guide camera into a USB RPi port or ASI1600 USB hub and add the INDI driver. My KStars is Build: 2019-07-02T16:59:38Z, James. 15 minute exposures would be fine and much better than the 4m maximum I'm currently using. My mount is the EQ8 and virtually the same as the NEQ6 - uses the same driver. Looks like this should be relatively painless. Thank you.

Not sure this is the right/best forum to post this but... I have been using the above software/firmware with RPi to run a wide field imaging rig and with a reasonably well set up mount and short exposures I haven't needed guiding. The last time I used guiding was with Windows software and PHD with OAG. Now I would like to use longer exposures and not get star trailing. I don't think I will need very accurate guiding with the widefield rig. I know there are two ways of guiding - software or ST-4 cable and guide ports on the guide camera and mount. Would the latter be a suitable option? I have only used software in the past (PHD) but wondered if the guide ports and cable would offer a simpler solution. I expect to use a separate guide scope as OAG is not practical with a camera lens AFAIK. Any advice would be much appreciated.

It isn't. That's why I gave it up. Interesting experience though.