jpoulette

Big scope with all the trimmings ! I've spent too much time engineering for the military world. If it's not de-rated 50% (6.5 kg max) - I'm sweating bullets. 😀

Reply from Chen at ZWO: RE: jpoulette "the "Log" folder and files only appear once you remove the media from the ASIAIR and insert them into another computer." That is correct. The log folder does not appear in the ASIAIR Image Management window. I think ZWO thinks that it would scare the horses and children. The folder is in the storage device, and you can either move the device to a computer, or access the device through the Samba server on the ASIAIR through your network. Check this old thread, for example, on how to access the Samba server https://bbs.astronomy-imaging-camera.com/d/10629-access-files-stored-on-the-usb-drive-over-network You can also access the built in eMMC memory on an ASIAIR with a USB-C port. That port looks like an external disk drive when connected to your computer. Chen My AM5 has been working very well, so no worries so far ! 😀

So for those interested, I think there's a bug in the ASIAIR firmware for v2.0 10.45. After the Autorun sequence is complete (and the system is returned to home - but not shut down) the "Log" directory does not show up in the ASIAIR file browser for either the SD or USB medias. But, if you take the SD or USB (whichever you selected) and plug them into a computer (Win 10) the "Log" directory appears, and it contains the log files for that session. Puzzling, but at least they are available. 😀

Yes - I'm starting to understand that. This was last night's 3-hour capture (M106). It's amazing how all the little galaxies come alive in the background if you're careful. Thanks for the feedback! 😀

My 'second' astro image (M101) - taken 09 Apr 2023 (we've had REALLY bad weather for WEEKS) 80 60-sec lights, 40 each of Darks, Flats, and Dark Flats - stacked but unprocessed. It clearly needs work but I'm very happy with this - and the AM5 is giving me 0.5' tracking pretty consistently. (but I do obsess on level and PA) (reduced here ~1:10)

My apologies if this has been answered already (I did look around): I just finished two 3-hour Autorun sessions last night and the night before and I can't fine guide log files, or a "Log" directory anywhere? The system does not seem to be creating "Log" directories in eMMC, the SD card, or on a USB stick. Am I missing some switch somewhere. I did allow the Autorun to complete before shutting down ASIAIR. Puzzled ! 😮

I presently use a Y-cable from a separate 10A AC-DC supply (one leg to the AM5, the other to the ASIAIR+). There's been some debate whether the standard 5A converter can really handle the load of an AM5, ASIAIR, plus accessories (cameras, dew heaters, etc.). I've heard several reports of flaky performance, and some cases of an ASIAIR reboot or shut-down. The AM5 is rated for 3A max, but I suspect the momentary inrush current (dynamic load) is much higher. I haven't looked into a battery pack yet, but I hope to take some AM5 current measurements before I do so. From a beginner, the AM5 has been a great mount so far - good luck ! 😀

OK, my first DSO image ever ! I'm reasonably happy with the first attempt - but you don't really know 'what you don't know' in PixInsight until you start using it. Wow! Stacked in PixInsight with very little processing (Frankly, I have no clue how to do any meaningful post-processing yet....) Tracking was good (~1' total pretty much all night, even with a little wind). I spent a ridiculous amount of time on the PA, and got it down to ~10" on both axis. Started with 60 lights, blinked out 10 of those (shooting stars & planes all over the place), and WBPP kicked out another 8 for some reason. So I was left with: 42 Lights @ 120" 30 Darks 30 Flats 30 Dark-Flats Now that I have at least one image up I'll modify my signature with my set-up. This is a simple jpeg but I think it shows enough detail to give you an idea if what I'm doing is on or off track. Comments are encouraged - it's the only way I'm going to figure this out ! 😀

I'm an absolute beginner, but I had my new AM5/ASIAIR out last night for a rare 'couple of hour window' of clear sky. 😀 The goal was to get guiding functioning (enough reading - time for doing). After a few hours of cool down (it was +21F) I spent 20 minutes (I took my time) getting things level and got the PA down to 1' on each axis. (got the smiley face - but it also told me I was "bicycle slow" ) After that I went to M81, and it guided very nicely at about 0.4-0.5" for about an hour. No data collected but I was very pleased with this progress because it was the only the second time I had attempted guiding. What surprised me was the numerical auto-focus change; the set-up was in the same place, same temperature, and cool-down time was the same. Not much of a change (maybe 10-12 on the focus scale), but I thought it would be closer. OK, now that I'm getting a workflow into place - I wait the classic wait for more clear skies.

Great job - thanks for sharing ! 😀

Progress report (as of 06 Feb 2023): Since the weather has been so bad (another winter weather advisory tonight) - I switched over to getting a grip on the stacking / processing side. Completed the first two freebie tutorial videos from Masters of PixInsight, and downloaded the free frame sets they offer. There are three free 45 minute videos that I would highly recommend to beginners who are learning PixInsight. With these I was able to Blink a set of light frames, use the Weighted Batch Pre-Program Script, do a Star Alignment, and Integrate the frames into an image. A good start (for me). Finally experienced the "amp-glow" phenomena first hand while generating darks - wow, what a nuisance that is. But, I've read that it's perfectly normal with the ASI180MC pro. I was able to take 3 'sets' (1 set at each detector temperature, 0, -10, and -20C) of darks, flats, and dark-flats. I took 30 @ 120" of each type for each 'set', and then integrated the darks and dark-flats into a master, and calibrated/integrated the flats into a master also (for a total of 9 masters). Basically an exercise, but hopefully I can use them at some point. I think the more you use PixInsight the less overwhelming it becomes - at least on the stacking, integrating, and calibrating side. I suspect a lot of the "magic" will come from post-processing. Onward and........upward ! 😎

So far so good. 😎 I've had lots of good advice from members and simply following the threads has been very helpful. Thank you and keep up the good work. Jim

Hey - I overthink everything ! 😎 So, on the temperature side - it's OK to take lights outside, and other reference frames inside (as long as the camera is cooled to the same temperature) ? I only ask because we're forecast for plunging temperatures the next few days (-20F / -30°C) tonight with wind chills to -50F. Not ideal for being outside.

Yet another newbie question: 😀 I'm told that all frames, light, dark, flat, & bias" should preferably all be taken "at the same temperature". Is this ambient or detector temperature? I see the ASIair app has a few temperature options for the main camera and I wonder if you can trick the camera into thinking it's actually outside. Example: indoor temperature is 16.5°C, camera (run for an hour) reads 0°C (in ASIair ap) - a Δ of -16.5°C outdoor temperature is -12°C - can I assume the camera temperature could be scaled to (-12°C + -16.5°C) = -28.5°C ? If so, I could take dark and flat frames indoors at a camera temp set to -20°C, and use them with images acquired outside at ambients of ~ -5°C with the camera set to 0°C. It's clearly not ideal (and I can't imagine the ambient not having an effect on the optic train) - but I'm just wondering if it's at all workable.

Good advise - thanks. I picked up the reducer mainly because it was available - it seems to be 'out of stock' for quite a while. I need to acquire some data first and then evaluate (see the results with my own eyes), and adjust if necessary. The reducer may work perfectly at some point, given that the object is properly placed in the center of the image. I've had a little experience with the classic Petzval design - I'm hoping that the inherent sharpness of the center area of the exposure will help, given the objects I'll be looking at. I'm not quite sure what the function of the 5th element in the FRA400 is - but a few images should enlighten me on that. 😀 I have a good 180 degree view centered due north from home - so there are several objects that I've had my eye on for imaging. I'm hoping Stellarium images like this one will give me a decent representation of the stock lens - detector relationship.