WolfieGlos

I managed to collect 5 hours of data on a new target last night, and of the few times I've used my ZWO EAF so far, I've always retracted the focuser back into 0 after the session before disconnecting and taking down the scope. This morning, I forgot to do this and so it is still out at position 7000 where it was in focus all night. However, connecting up the EAF and looking through either NINA or Ascom Device Hub, they both tell me that the focuser is at position 0, when it is clearly still out at 7000. So the software is no longer registering that the focuser is "out", and there doesn't appear to be an option to move inwards to negative values (i.e. to reset the 0 position). Other than demounting the EAF from the focuser and manually moving it back in by hand, does anyone know if this can be done through the software? I'm a bit surprised that the EAF hasn't stored it's current position as 7000 to allow it to be retracted back to 0.

Also not seen this one before, like everyone else… but that’s a great image, with nice colours. Did you join in with this Goran? Looks like you’ve found it 🤣

At work we use Hilti but they will probably be too expensive for this kind of fixing. But rawlplug or another will be fine. Resin or knock ins would be ok, we use M12 and up for structures so 4x M12 would be fine for a pier. Just allow the concrete to cure if post-fixing them, and keep the anchors away from the edge to avoid cracking and get better pullout values. As a rule of thumb we say no less than 100mm for M20, preferably 125, so would suggest 75mm for M12.

Agreed, wavelets can be overdone and it took a bit of refining, but I don't like images being over-sharpened and ruined with contrast - so it sounds like we're on the same page there That's interesting you used a C8 on an EQ5, that's definitely some food for thought. Looking at your Flickr, you have some great images and Mars looks very detailed. I think that's beyond my scope, but one for the future.

Thanks Maurizio! It was only wavelets, SCNR and a brightness boost in Siril to get those results, so I'm happy with your comments 🙂 As I used ASI Studio, could this be why I only had 15 fps? I've read a few time about high-speed mode, but I see no option for it. It could also be my 7.5m active USB3 cable going to a USB2 port, something which I know I need to rectify but I was surprised it was recording that slowly. I have an old spare laptop with a USB3 port, so might wipe it and see what difference it makes. That's interesting, I was always under the impression that refractors were generally not preferred for planetary imaging. I did originally consider a 6" RC for galaxy imaging instead of the 102ED, but was put off by the collimation and the slow speed for DSO. 8" and above in any type of scope seemed to be a bit much for the HEQ5 to handle, but I was only looking at it from a DSO imaging perspective. But yes, the intention is to keep practising and see what I can do with my current setup 🙂

Ah, that doesn't surprise me either that it's Arups, but then I didn't realise they worked in South America. I've worked with them a few times over the years, always one of the better firms to work for....but they weren't projects anywhere near this scale or grandjuer! But yeah, it would have been a dream project.

So this was my first time ever capturing the planets...with a refractor too, so go easy on me 😁 It was a different challenge to my usual DSO imaging, and despite some difficulties of achieving focus and getting used to the incredibly small FOV with a 2x barlow, it was both fun and really exciting seeing the planets appear on screen for the first time! Played with different resolutions and ROI capturing several videos of both targets, the below being the best of those captures, but the main thing I'll need to look at in my setup is that it was only capturing at circa 15fps. However for a first attempt I'm pretty happy with the result, and of course any comments welcome to help me improve 🙂 Another thing I need to do, is to stop looking at other peoples images to stop me getting scope envy 🤣 Having done a little research, I'm considering a 127 mak in due course for this type of imaging, but if anyone has any other recommendations I'm all ears. Below images captured with a Starfield 102 ED + 2x Barlow + 585mc + UV/IR cut Captured and stacked with ASI Studio, processed in Siril. Saturn 15/09 - 75% stacked from a 5:45 capture - Titan just visible Saturn 15/09, with Rhea and Titan overexposed and brushed in via GIMP. I believe the solitary dot to the left side is actually a star. Jupiter 16/09 morning, with Callisto, Ganymede, Europa and Io. 50% stacked from a 3 minute capture

I third those, much better than my effort the other day. Great image!

I purchased my 585mc in August this year, and it’s with the sexy red cable! In fact, it’s the one that got tied in my setup picture, so perhaps they have changed it.

No actually, it was a faulty motor! FLO arranged for collection last Thursday, it was back with them Friday lunchtime…new one despatched that day, arrived last Saturday morning! Incredible service as always. As soon as I connected it and told it to move, the sound of the motor was undeniable, and didn’t happen previously, so that was it. I haven’t had any issues with dew yet, but you’re right the lenses are a little further up the dewshield. I’ll keep an eye on that in the coming months. I’ve never had any issues yet with cable management to date but with the EAF and the stiff usb3 cable for the 585, this first session has shown it might be now! Ah, the money pit! I bought these to try planetary, and the 585 for DSO too, and will then get a more suitable scope in time if I want to take up planetary a bit more. Then probably another mount for it and anything else…. Argh! Money money money!

My 585mc also came with the “sexy” (really?! 🤣 ) cable, but I assumed it was just because it’s usb3. My asi120mm came with the flat cable which is usb 2. Those are the only two cameras I have. Ive been told several times to ditch the Zwo cable that came with the 585, but I wonder if they are thinking it’s the flat type?

You’re not the only one @bosun21 … I also have my Starfield aimed up at Saturn! First ever attempt at planetary imaging, using a new 585mc, EAF and a 2x Barlow. Mostly I’ve been learning the ropes…it’s been a “fun night” learning to focus, find targets, etc. All during cloud cover before it finally have way, and now Saturn sits high above a streetlight which is lighting up the shed… Might aim it at Jupiter if it comes into view, otherwise I’m tempted to take a look at comet 103/P Hartley. By taking this picture, I also noticed a cable issue after the meridian flip so will be untangling them shortly!!!

Having just done exactly what you described in the first line with the Deer Lick Group....I have to say, that's some great detail in the Quintet! Even the smaller spiral NGC 7320C just off of the tidal stream has some detail, I didn't get the spiral arms at my measly 570mm focal length.... I didn't try mine with a drizzle but I don't think I would have got much more out of it.

I started this a few weeks back before the Full Moon, collecting 78 x 300s frames. It was still a bit too noisy, so I had to wait until last night for some clear skies after the Moon period. First time using the ZWO EAF last night, so after setting that up correctly I gathered another 45 subs, 14 of which were rejected for high level cloud, and session stopped 3 hours early due to cloud cover. It wasn't until stacking that I found my camera had been rotated by 16 degrees (!), probably from attaching the EAF, so I've had to be creative with the cropping and the top left corner background clone stamped after star removal to remove the dodgy 31 frame background present there. Still, I'm happy with the widefield result and the detail I've been able to extract from both NGC 7331 and the Quintet. Canon 800Da (no filters) + Starfield 102ED with 0.8 reducer on HEQ5. Shot at ISO-400, 109 x 300s (09:05:00) Stacked in ASTAP, edited in SIRIL, Starnet, Topaz DeNoise, AstroDeNoisePY and GIMP Comments welcome 🙂

Thanks Ady! I was going to research it this lunchtime, but you saved me a job.

Well I’m glad I purchased the active cable. I got my replacement EAF on the weekend. Returned on Thursday, arrived at FLO on Friday afternoon…they dispatched a new one same day and it arrived Saturday before lunch….just before we went away for the weekend! Top marks for customer service, as always. 👏 So I attached the EAF today and all works fine, original was definitely faulty with a duff motor. But over a distance, it only works with the active USB 3 cable (7.5m… cheaper than the 5m oddly….). With the usb2 cable, or the usb3 hub without a power supply, it kept disconnecting - and did the same for any other connected items, like the camera, guider, etc. Understandable I suppose. So I’m currently gathering more data on a target I started last month with the DSLR, and tomorrow…if the forecast is clear as predicted…I aim to try it with the new 585mc. Fingers crossed all works OK. Thanks for the input all.

Finally some clear skies and I got around to trying this. It’s really simple and pleased with how it works! Like they say, it’s easy when you know how… Thanks for the Michelangelo instructions Ady, really easy! The only thing I don’t get are the images on right hand side, I suspect this is because I keep the laptop on airplane mode, as it once decided to do a windows update during an imaging session 🤬 Instead of risking it, i just keep it isolated now. Although I’ve disabled updates, I don’t fancy risking it currently.

Did anyone else look at all those cables, and think that we amateurs really have nothing to complain about 🤣 Brilliant episode, and as I work in structural steel, I can really appreciate how hard it must be to build the structure for the dome of the E-ELT. What a feat of engineering.

Wow, what a difference! I liked the original, but the extra detail your friend has brought out is great, and it has a more dramatic and 3D feel to it. I'm also a Siril user, and that's the same reason I'm put off by PI, but I intend to jump in at some point....it's yet another cost in the AP progression 🙄

Likely to be my final entry, the clouds this year are just relentless and any forecast suggesting clear skies is, frankly, wrong. Here is my image of NGC 6888, The Crescent Nebula. Imaged during a week where we were supposed to get 6 straight nights of clear skies, the reality was only 3 nights but still managed to get 3 consecutive full nights and so 16 hours of data for this one. I wasn't even going to image this one this year, but the August super blue Moon stopped my broadband imaging so a change of target resulted in this one that was all collected just after the Full Moon period. PN G075.5+01.7 (Soap Bubble nebula) also visible along with the P cyg star cluster IC 4996. Canon EOS 800Da with Optolong L'eNhance + Starfield 102ED with 0.8 Reducer, on HEQ5 with Belt Mod ISO - 400 Frames - 128 x 300s + 52 x 360s (15:52:00) Calibrations - 50 bias, 35 flats, 26 darks (300s) + 12 darks (360s). Stacked in SIRIL Edited in SIRIL, Starnet, Topaz DeNoise, AstroDeNoisePY and GIMP Previously posted in the imaging forum, I have further refined this version to extract more nebulosity and bring out the elusive soap bubble nebula slightly.

This is true, I’m tempted to get my canon 200mm f2.8 out. I got it for a steal at £200 barely used…and I haven’t used it for a few years since I first started this hobby.

Excellent result, and only 40 minutes!

I didn’t realise it did this, but that’s good to know. I’ve used ASTAP successfully for 2 mosaics now, albeit they were only 2x1, and it was really straightforward.

Always like to see this target, and really like the subtle look to this image. Nice work!

Wow, stunning images!