fwm891

Go to the MPB website. There are loads of used Nikon, Canon and other makes there. From about £25 upwards for APS sized chips. More if you want to go for full frame. Lenses too. No affiliation etc... https://www.mpb.com/en-uk

Surely once you view a 'live stacked' image you have in effect 'processed' it ?

Many thanks for the comments. I'll have a play with 'live' stacking next time I'm out. 🙂

Lots around on BXT, here on this forum and elsewhere. I've just downloaded the trial (21 days left) and decided to go back to some older files. These images are of IC5146 (Cocoon neb) from 2019. There are 14x 300s captured on an ASI533 MC Pro Cooled, IDAS NB-1 filter, Altair 115 EDT-APO refractor. Images: A single sub frame (linear data), Stack of 14 subs (linear data), the BXT applied and colour processes to final and a luminance mask used as part of the colour processes. Method: Blink, to select the sub frames to use Debayer, RGB combined channels not split Star Align, 14 subs aligned against a reference Integration, 14 subs stacked to form initial RGB image. (Integration_Orig.png) STF and Histogram Transform used to give linear image (no alterations to any sliders either within STF or HT). (images ic5146_300s_1x1, Integration_Orig.png) BXT applied to stack of 14 subs, (BXT settings used: auto PSF and Non Stellar then Stellar selected. Sharpen Stars: 0.25, Star halos 0.00) All images saved at this point. The integration_BXT image was then further processed: SCNR, to remove green Luminance mask generated and levels via Histogram Transform and scripts/dark structure enhance. Luminance mask applied, mask switched to apply initially a small desaturation to the background, then reversed to apply a general saturation increase to stars/ic5146, Curves transform switching mask to darken background and enhance RGB colour separately. Dark Structure enhance applied again low levels (0.4) Image then saved: integration BXT_Fin.png All saved as: XISF (32 bit), TIFF (16 bit), and PNG (16 bit) IC5146_300s_1x1 (single sub frame) integration_Orig (14 subs stacked) integration_BXT_Fin (Final image Luminance Mask (luminance extraction from 14 frame stack image)

With the patchy weather lately I've been playing with different bits of kit from a 12 inch f4 newt where I've tried taking what I would consider to be EAA recording Jupiter or Saturn with as fast frame rate as possible while its image drifts across the fov. Also putting the same scope on an EQ platform and doing the same but for extended runs of thousands of frames at a time. Even shooting DSO's off the EQ platform with the 12 inch Dob using 5 - 10 second subs. Then this week I put a telephoto lens (400 mm) on a short vixen style bar and fitted it on my CEM60 and shot 30 sec and 60 sec unguided subs on different objects as they apeared through different cloud formations. On processing the unguided telephoto shots I kept asking myself are these EAA or normal astro images? As usual I don't know.... Enlightenment welcome. Happy New Year too. Couple of the targets both 20x 30 second subs. 1250 iso @ f5.6, full frame Nikon 800E and a Sigma 120-400 lens.

I've had an Altair 115 Wave Series EDT APO refractor. Brilliant, and I've wished many times I'd never sold it. The problem with astronomers is that there is never one scope that will do all the things you want to see or image. Some scopes are good all-rounders (the 115 was that) but you will always look at the ads and druel over things at the astro showcases. It's rare that you can't get a reducer, field flattener, focal extender, camera adapter... to suit any scope. So like most of us. We do the research and then go with that gut feeling and a couple of years down the line we start all over again. It's what FLO are there for!

Just over the border near Hereford. Where do you meet? Brecon? Francis

Why not go for a good make camera lens 300 f2.8 or similar. There are adapters to fit your 2600 MC...

Great stuff Rodd

I've just bought an LT70 to do exactly that and fit the Starsense unit to a 12 inch dob. Like others my 70+ year old body isn't as flexable these days...

I have a Nikon D5100 and regularly shoot at 1600 iso. Just use lots of dithered subs. I also have an 800E and shoot that at 1250 iso as that seems it's sweet spot (iso wise).

It may simply be that as its not been used very much that the connectors are 'dirty' i.e. having not been handled and connected/disconnected over the two years they've built up an insulating tarnish causing connection issues. Good luck.

Thanks. Taken the plunge and bought the smaller refractor to act as my source for the Starsense unit. Will let you know how things progress (once it arrives!). Cheers

Hi, Has anyone bought a cheaper version of Celestron's Starsense Explorer range and removed the 'finder' and fixed it to a larger Dob ? Just interested as I find with my dob trying to look throught an RDF finder when near the zenith quite painfull at times. I have a raci finder scope on the dob but you need to be somewhere in the area of interest otherwise I'm panning around hoping to find what i'm looking for. Never been that good at star hopping!

@Alan White Yes the 12 inch VX12. Tried again on NGC891 still not nailed the PA on the EQ platform. Great for visual but still off for photog.

I remember helping to put the cladding on the outside quite a few years ago. It's had a few changes since then.

Clear Outside is showing clear Thurs/Friday this week (Full Moon!) Although showing as 90% low cloud for now but skies are very clear? C.O. can be quite hit-n-miss...

You might want to check with Newbury Astro Soc as they have an observing site around there. Part of a nature Reserve I think and possibly on the Kennet & Avon canal ?

The two holes when exposed will help you with focusing. As you rack the EP in and out two images of a star will move together/apart when together you are in focus (don't use a double star 🤔!) You can also use just a single hole for very bright (Moon) objects as a way of cutting down it's brightness. THE SUN will still need the proper solar film over the single hole.

Hi @GeorgeP I lived in Woodley for 30+ years and enjoyed the astronomy for my back garden or out to Dinton Pastures or Silcot for slightly darker skies. Reading has an active Astro soc as does Maidenhead I'm sure you would be welcome either. Enjoy the sky Francis

After the last session I've changed the focuser as I've found the previous focuser could not handle the weight of the DSLR. I've changed it for a Moonlite CR2 manual focuser. I've alsoo changed from the DSLR to my ASI533MC Pro (used without cooling). I used a green laser to align the EQ platform with the NCP and a two-way spirit level fixed to the baseboard. The M45 (Alcyone/Merope area) was shot as a white light test with the 533, The Crab (M1) was shot twice. Initially as a white light tyarget then with an IDAS NBZ NB filter. These were combined in PS after being stacked and processed in PI.

Lots of issues mainly sensor plane tilt. Attached image is 20x 5 sec subs, 800 iso using a Nikon D5100 mono mod camera (DX/APS-C sensor). Processed in PI only. Comments welcome. First time I've been out with almost completely clear skies yet it was raining 🌧️ !

Mmmm, like the counter weight idea. I find the altitude clamp on my 12 inch f4 dob needs excessive tightening when I put a camera or heavier ep in the focuser.