saac
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Everything posted by saac
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Right at the very beginning when the camera is first held or attached to the telescope. Jim
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Help me settle an argument (well a friendly discussion)
saac replied to blinky's topic in Physics, Space Science and Theories
What happens if you don't look, is the room even lit then? (not a serious question please don't waste any oxygen considering it) And if nobody is in the room why is the light even on - have you seen the price of electricity these days - get that light off! Jim -
The new Stellarmate Pro unit looks superb……
saac replied to Stuart1971's topic in Discussions - Software
That was my thoughts. It would be good to have the versatility of using non ZWO cameras etc but the price difference is pretty significant compared to an ASiAir. Maybe this will encourage a little more development on the part of ZWO regarding software bugs on the AsiAir. I must admit though, I'm still really pleased with what the AsiAir does, it get's me up and imagining on target and guiding within minutes of rolling back the roof. I've resisted rolling over to the most recent firmware - this works so I'm leaving it alone lol. Jim -
I had wondered if the likes of Google Maps offered something that could easily be adapted to do this - I know for example that you can embed Google Maps into a web page. Re sharing location, yep I can see how that would be sensitive, I certainly wouldn't like to drop a pin on my home coordinates! So with that in mind, I thought the location could be at say county level (Local Authority/State etc) rather than anything that could reveal a more precise location. Here's a thought maybe one of the web sites that allow you to upload data from a home weather station would be suitable. The idea is just to have a quick visual indication of where it is clear and observation activity. Jim
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Here's a thought! It would be nice to have a map of the UK where we could say drop a pin or similar to show on a daily basis if we have clear sky and are observing or imaging. If each night could be saved then we would have a UK record for the year where maybe the pages could be played in movie mode so we can see the changing pattern and average activity across the year. Ok so it's cloudy here and I have nothing better to do than think of this type of thing lol. So over to the clever talented people of SGL who can do web design/coding Jim
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Calm before the 2nd storm here tonight after yesterday's hammering we are now awaiting Storm Jocelyn. I guess we are paying for last week's good run. On the positive side - it can only get better Jim
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Alan, Olly, tx - I agree the colour is a bit muted. I do tend to go for a light touch on colour but yes I agree that there is a bit more it can give here. I'll check the debayer pattern has been picked up correctly as well. The colour in the stars could certainly be brought out. Thanks guys, first time with data over multiple nights (only used Flats/Darks from the last night) so I was a bit anxious to see how it came out. Jim
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We had a good start to the new year last week in NE Fife with 4 good clear nights in succession; gave me an opportunity to image over multiple nights for the first time. I managed to capture close to 10 .5 hours (240s subs) with my RedCat and ZWO 183MCPro - no filters save UV and IR cut. Processed in PixInsight then PS. Criticism, hints and help most welcome. Jim
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There is a very complementary review of the CQ350 in this month's edition of BBC Sky at Night magazine. Jim
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If both are red-shifted then as Andrew said both are moving away from Earth. The respective red shift ratio would give an indication of their recessional velocities. Jim
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60F that is shorts and T shirt weather here - I dream of being able to do astronomy in those conditions, that is the proper way Jim
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Are they optical fibres, being used to do spectroscopy? Jim
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@900SL we are sharing Helsinki's clear sky tonight but thankfully not your temperature! NE Fife sky is crystal clear and calm, temperature a balmy -8 oC. So far the start of 2024 has delivered - I've never done so much imaging on school nights Jim
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That is a lovely setup you have there Nigella. I don't know much about the Cq350 so looking forward to hearing how you get on with it. How are you planning to raise the pillar? I suffered the opposite problem when I upgraded with an Esprit 120 this summer. It collided with the internal roof supports! I ended up lowering the pier by cutting in a new foundation for it. The added benefit made it an easier lift when putting the scope on and off the mount. Anyway, looks like you are having fun there, these are the enjoyable projects. Jim
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I was way too optimistic earlier on this evening, totally clouded over now. But as @Chaz2b said Thursday night looks like it may have some potential Jim
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You need a blow torch Dave - nothing worse than wood that won't burn. My observatory thermometer said it was -4, that seemed a bit too low, though it was really cold when standing in the wind. One of those nights where you can smell that there is snow in the air. I'm almost glad that the clouds have rolled in, I'll be pulling the roof back shortly I think. Jim
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Started off nice and clear here in NE Fife around 1830, thought I may be in luck and get 3 nights in a row of imaging so I setup. About an hour and half in and I think the high level cloud cover is just going to get busier and settle in, slight wind picking up too. I'll let it run for another hour just in case but I think tonight will be written off - at least its dry and I can see some stars Jim
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Martin I think the stuff you are having is coming to visit us here sometime tomorrow morning I think - might get a snow day Jim
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Started imaging at 1830 tonight and still going - single figure subs lost to occasional passing clouds - target is the Garnet Star and IC1396. If this keeps going I'm in danger of pulling off my first 6 hour image run So it's clear but cold in NE Fife tonight with yellow warning for snow on its way at some stage! Jim
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I bet it is real nice and dark there. Jim
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Yep we get, that but it may be an idea to test all connectivity routes to see if there is a wider problem. As an aside, I'm sure that the Air doesn't need to be permanently connected to the phone to complete its imaging run - once setup it will run autonomously without any connection to phone - as far as I am aware (happy to be corrected) . So an easy work around would be set up the Air using its wifi , get it the image session running then log off the Air wifi and stream your movie as normal. If you want to check on progress just reconnect to the Air via wifi. Jim
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The iPhone connected at the mount without any problem just picked up the AsiAir's wifi SSID, password still set to default, need to change that! The phone is an IPhone 11 running IOS 16.11 and the AsiAir is running Ver 2.1. Here's a screen shot of the phone. I'd first try turning off station mode then and see if you can at least connect via the AsiAir's wifi. Jim
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That's fine it makes no difference - all I will do is connect to the ASiAir with my phone as though I was sat in a field - I won't be connected using my home network. I've just fired everything up so, I'll get back shortly on what I find. Jim
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I connect to my AsiAir via ethernet with my laptop in the house when I'm imaging (permeant setup) . On occasion, if I have to redo polar align or refocus the guide camera I'll connect at the mount using a mini iPad. I've never had any trouble connecting to the AsiAir via the mini iPad and just simply connect to the AsiAir SSID broadcast, I don't use its Station Mode. I've very occasionally used my iPhone to connect, tbh I think I did it maybe once. I'm waiting to see if it will clear tonight and if I get an imaging opportunity i'll try connecting with the iPhone to see what happens. Jim
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Thought it may be fun to share location and sky state. NE Fife - 1700 Sky is clear and darkening , astro twilight at 1734 Just home from work and straight out to observatory before I got into the house to get the roof rolled back. Happy days we have a genuine clear sky tonight (fingers crossed it lasts). Good luck all. Jim
