saac

I'm kind of the same when it comes to slow downloading the preview and I'm connected via ethernet albeit over a powerline adapter.  I was thinking that it was pretty much just how the ASiAir worked.

Jim 

Weather report at 5pm was that it would be clear but it was clouded over all night , just gone out to lock up the obsy  

Jim

Those are a cracking set of images so if they continue like that I'd say you have a really great setup there.  I love your M45 -  5 minutes , impressive. 

Jim 

As a broadband target from Bortle 7 skies that image of Andromeda is absolutely outstanding. 

Jim 

7 minutes ago, BrendanC said:

Sure, and I know someone who does great solar system stuff from London, but I'm just doubtful that if I were to want to continue with deep sky, I'd be able to do broadband. It seems narrowband is the only game in town (or city for that matter), and as @vlaiv says, extreme conditions are probably going to warrant an extreme approach ie very narrow filters with very long exposure times.

Check out Lee's work at Urban Astrophotography. Lee images from Bristol and has produced some amazing results in both NB and BB. He is active on SGL just cant recall his username at  the moment but his web site is well worth a visit from useful guidance. 

https://urbanastrophotography.com/index.php/2021/06/14/overview/

Jim 

I think you will be surprised at what is possible from London. There are a number of SGL members from London and they produce the most amazing astrophotography in deep sky, planetary and solar. I'm always amazed at what can still be achieved in some of the more heavily light polluted areas. 

Jim 

Those landscape images are lovely, welcome to the forum. 

Jim 

Very nice Nigella. Is the overall technique that much different from your solar work - do you use the same processing techniques etc?

Jim 

11 minutes ago, Mandy D said:

That gas tap is real old school and identical to the ones we had in my school back in the 1970s and they were old then. I'm pretty sure Michael Faraday used ours ... 😁 The bench tops look simiar, too.

Our school was built in the 1950s and the science labs, save two which have been refurbished, have all the original fittings and fixtures. The desks are solid teak and carry the scars and musings of the pupils down through the years - "Bobby was here" ! 

Jim 

Had my first year science class doing a decomposition reaction  with Copper Carbonate (lovely green coloured powder) this morning (yes we do experiments in school still) and the results made me think of this thread.  The resulting copper oxide even had the kids commenting on just how jet black it appeared. I'm guessing it wouldn't be a simple matter as mixing copper oxide with some glue (pva etc) so that it could be used as a very non reflective black paint but it did cross my mind. Looking at uses of copper oxide I found that it is used amongst other things as pigment in anti-fouling paint (marine application).  The resulting powder is very fine and it's flat non reflective nature is really cool. 

Jim 

2 hours ago, Louis D said:

Here's some APOD moon halo images:

https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap220102.html

https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap210201.html

https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap180502.html

There are many more that have been featured over the years.

Those APOD photographs are gorgeous, thanks for sharing those. 

Jim 

I have ver 2.1 (10.74) running on Blue Stacks on my laptop and it seems to be working well with no dramas.  Been a wee while since I installed it, think it was straightforward without any secret handshakes or howling at the moon required   Good luck with it, it's an excellent bit of kit.

Jim  

On 17/11/2023 at 09:41, Wealtheow said:

Two related questions. What is the correct time zone to enter on Synscan mounts for mainland Spain? Is it the Geographic one or the official one? Second should daylight savings time be switched to Yes in Summer and No in winter?

There is a useful little app you can get for Android phones/tablets which presents a screen with all the correct data inputs (time zone adjusted)  in the correct format/syntax. I use it for my neq6 whenever I'm using it in handset mode and it works a treat. It is called SynscanInit.

Jim

My last Astro purchase of the year else I fear my family will disown me. Delivered to workplace which adds to the fun😊 This is for my Esprit 120 that I bought back in the spring so getting ready for its first light. Can’t believe how big these things are. Just to add It was from FLO's sales/Black Friday type listings so came with a welcome discount. Worthwhile having a good look through you may just find something nice  - thanks FLO as always.  

Jim

16 minutes ago, Space Hopper said:

Is this the latest (Version 2 ?) Affinity ?

Yes, looks like it., being offered at £40.49 for Photo. 

Jim 

Affinity are holding a 40% off Black Friday type sale should anybody be interested in getting a copy of Affinity Photo.

https://affinity.serif.com/en-gb/

Jim 

Raspberry Pi  5 arrived - now I need to think of a suitable project

Excellent project and definitely useful. You need to change the text alerts to an audible "Danger Will Robinson Danger"  

Jim 

I have a friend coming to visit over the next few weeks and I thought we could have a go at observing Jupiter and few of the brighter nebula. I'm looking for some advice on  a suitable filter for visual use. And again anything similar for visual use on say M31/M45/M42 -for use with an Esprit 120 from a Bortle 4 area.  Thanks in advance. 

Jim 

Well it turned out clearer later on in the night so not a total write off. Here's what I managed to achieve out of 100 sub at 120s. I'll say messed about with rather than "processed in " PixInsight then PS - I'm not a huge fan of processing  

Jim 

18 minutes ago, John said:

It didn't stop William Optics having a go 😲

Does it go faster  

Jim 

The best Ferraris are red for a reason.  

Jim

Here's mine with the RedCat I bought last year having its second  "first light" - laziness and weather!  Set up around 1700 with clear sky, tonight's target M31. So far I have about 15 decent subs and  50 or so really close up photographs of clouds. Hey ho, I'm inside watching 1917 in the warmth  

Jim

Take the scope down to a car body paint shop and they will scan it and provide the paint spec for you. The may even mix it up. 

Most of the big DIY stores (B&Q, Homebase) can do similar  - spec teh paint code.  

Jim 

On 07/11/2023 at 21:24, Coolhand1988 said:

Hi

Yes, that's exactly why I ordered them from the states.

Green paint TA-TTP0002

White paint TA-TTP0003

Not sure if FLO or any other UK takahashi retailers can order the paint from the same retailer in the U.S?

Is this a Brexit or Takahashi agreement? I mean it's only paint!

Thanks

 

 

You will probably find that it is a Takahashi thing protecting their in country dealer network. 

Jim