Leti Theobald

1 hour ago, alacant said:

https://siril.org/tutorials/comet/

Thanks! I saw that and it looked quite complicated. I guess I just need to learn manual processing at Siril. I’ll have a go

Hello all, beginner here. I’ve just started understanding a bit better how Siril works and have been using the pre loaded stacks but clearly that does not work with the comet as it stacks the stars and the comet becomes a big blur. Is there a simple way to stack the comet and ignore the stars?

single frame below ☺️

All sorted, just needs a better computer. Running smoothly although I’m now broke

thank you all!

2 hours ago, Elp said:

From my experience a computer very rarely goes into double digits with RAM, the max I ever got was 15Gb and that was through constant rendering. If the RAM is cheap enough by all means do it. Your issue at the moment is storage, if you can't really free any (I know you can, use WinDirStat to see where your storage is being used up) fit as max as your computer can support, if you've got nvme slots, best get SSD in that format, even a sata SSD gives a better improvement over a sata HDD.

My Mac is around 8 years old so the stores in 250gb. But I’ll have a look, I’ve been looking for an excuse not buy a new one 😊

wont worry about the RAM too much though, that was the most expensive part

2 hours ago, alacant said:

Siril is the best we've tried, including closed, open and very expensive apps. It is totally non-destructive.
Perhaps this would be a good time to upgrade your mac's storage, or perhaps more economical, invest in one of the new generation mini-pcs?

Cheers

Considering upgrading my laptop. Would 32gb of RAM be enough? 1Tb storage. Could upgrade to 64gb and 2Tb but it’s so expensive!

Because I have a Mac I can’t run DSS. Do you have any other suggestions?

1 minute ago, Leti Theobald said:

My SSD is connect via USB. Is that an issue? Will check the rest as well. Thank you!

Also my memory is 8GB

11 hours ago, Elp said:

Your ssd isn't connected via usb is it? I notice on the screenshot also your memory is 1Gb? (Checked mine, similar software setting too).

That Bayer error youre seeing, set the Bayer pattern to suit your camera in the preferences menu (top right button, looks like three odd horizontal lines stacked on top of each other), debayering also slows down the process but is necessary if using OSC cameras.

My SSD is connect via USB. Is that an issue? Will check the rest as well. Thank you!

Hello all, I wonder if you seen this happen before. I’m trying to stack around 300 30” images of the Pleiades in Siril. I tried to do it using my computer hard drive but it needed to many GB so I’m using my SSD instead. When I was using my hard drive the processing was much faster but due to short storage it stopped half way through. Now that I’m using my SSD it has been 10 hours already and it’s still pre processing! any advice?

On 17/01/2023 at 11:13, alacant said:

Hi

I'd stay exactly where you are.

The 4000d is ideal. It has one of Canon's best sensors and firmware for astrophotography.. It will cost far less to have it modified (around €100, send it here) than to start again with a new camera. The vast majority of features on modern dslrs are useless for astrophotography. 

The Canon app (or any of the eos-connect apps) can be used to control exposure and previews on your 'phone or tablet. Eventually though, you may want to get dedicated astro software to run on a mini-computer or laptop under Linux or Windows. The latter may well be easier even just starting out.

Cheers and HTH

Hi, not sure you will know this, I really want to just keep the 4000d but I've tried everything I cannot do longer than 30 seconds exposures unless i keep pressing the button in bulb mode. The canon app won't allow me to go over 30 seconds either or do more than 10 frames at a time. Am I completely missing something? 

1 hour ago, knobby said:

Hi Leti, contact @FLO as It seems from your first post you bought It from them. They are really helpful.

Thanks, I did and they are replacing it for me ☺️

Thanks Steve! Also, thanks again for lending me the power supply! FLO is sending me a new box so hopefully it will all work out ☺️ 

17 minutes ago, M40 said:

Looking at your camera spec, it seems to be a few steps in front of mine and a few years newer, a major difference seems to be yours is only remotely controlled from an app. Does the app not include an intervalometer? Also if you've not found it yet, have a look at backyardeos, great piece of software for a Canon. All the best.

Thanks, I’ll have a look. The controlling via the app isn’t great. It keeps disconnecting and also only goes to 30 seconds from what I can see. I’ll check out the software. Thank you!

I wasn’t sure where to post this but I’m so happy. Tonight I used my HEQ5 mount for the first time and also did my first star stacking. It’s only 100 pictures of 30 seconds and I don’t know how to use Affinity photos very well yet but I’ve managed to take this photo and I’m really excited. Any tips on how to improve always welcomed ☺️

I wasn’t sure where to post this but I’m so happy. Tonight I used my HEQ5 mount for the first time and also did my first star stacking. It’s only 100 pictures of 30 seconds and I don’t know how to sue Affinity photos very well yet but I’ve managed to take this photo and I’m really excited. Any tips on how to improve always welcomed ☺️

So, I’ve just started Astrophotography and at the moment I’m using a Canon IOS 4000d which doesn’t work that well as I can’t use a remote timer with it and it’s quite a beginners camera.

im thinking of getting a Astro modified Canon. Any recommendations of which one I should get? Hoping to find a second hand one 

Thank you so much, so:

There is light on the PSU

There is no light on the cable but if I insert the cable on my car cigarette lighter it lights up. 
 

So by elimination it’s not fully inserted but honestly I can’t insert any deeper! I’ve tried wiggling around. I’ve check the tip thing and it looks ok. Putting so pictures to see if you notice something weird. 
 

Unfortunately don’t have anything to see if there is any voltage coming out. Tried the pencil measurement and it seems just deep enough 🙁 I’ve “wiggled it” quite a bit and got nothing !  Running out of ideas 

11 minutes ago, StevieDvd said:

Are there any switches on the back of the unit to turn the socket on/off?

And is/was the cable working okay - can you test it?

 

I’ve tested the cable on the car and it worked. Can’t see any on/off socket

8 minutes ago, Franklin said:

Behind that cap is the cigar socket.

I’m putting it in the cap but nothing happens. I’ve tested the cable on the car and it worked. Can’t see any on/off socket

So I got it, now I’m trying to plug the cigarette lighter cable that came with the mount into the box but it won’t turn on. Is this not the right way?

On 12/01/2023 at 22:44, Padraic M said:

Absolutely should do the job. I use the bigger 30A cousin and with HEQ5 (or NEQ6 Pro), cameras, dew straps, mini PC, etc., it never goes above 4A draw. Holds the voltage steady well above 12V too.

So I got it, now I’m trying to plug the cigarette lighter cable that came with the mount into the box but it won’t turn on. Is this not the right way?

On 12/01/2023 at 22:10, Cornelius Varley said:

Yes, with plenty of amps to spare.

So I got it, now I’m trying to plug the cigarette lighter cable that came with the mount into the box but it won’t turn on. Is this not the right way?

If I get these will it power my HEQ5 mount ok?

Nevada PS-08 6-8A Regulated Linear Power Supply

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/batteries-powerpacks/nevada-ps-08-6a-8a-regulated-linear-power-supply.html

Hi All, I've just started my astrophotography adventure and I've been looking for the Sky-Watcher HEQ5 PRO Go-To Astronomy Mount but out of stock everywhere! Does anyone have any tips where I can get one? 
(Edited: Got it, thank you for the tips)

Thank you! 

Leti