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Hi everyone I have a question about doing solar imaging using Ubuntu, I have an old 2009 iMac, it came with a PGR Grasshopper camera that connects via firewire & I used it last year when the Apple os was running nicely & had some pretty reasonable results. I also did a few live video streams via Facebook showing proms & different features of the Sun last year which people seemed to like. Unfortunately later in the year the original OS refused to boot up & when it did it became unusable plus with it being old Apple don't offer any support any more, I did think about junking the Mac but I saw a video about installing Linux or Ubuntu it so I thought I'd give it a go & I managed to install it with no issues so at least it's been repurposed for another use even if it's just browsing watching videos etc. Is there any software out there I can use for video capturing using the PGR camera running Ubuntu so I could do more solar imaging? It would also come in handy for outreach & live streaming if it could be used for that purpose but I might be jumping the gun here as I'd probably need to find drivers to operate the camera too. Any ideas anyone?

Well I bottled it in the end & handed the RASA over to someone who knows what they're doing especially when it comes to optics & the good news is that it's been fixed & I'll be picking it up very soon. There's still the CGE pro mount to sort out I've managed to find somewhere in the UK that sells boards but do I throw a ton of cash at the mount to find it doesn't work? Would it be worth it? I know the motors work as I've tested both with a 6v supply & they spin up a treat, the handset works but prodding the buttons & the motors do nothing.

It were lovely to see you all again ok so the weather wasn't playing ball but still enjoyed it nonetheless & we did get some glimpses when the skies cleared a little, as been said already lets hope for a bit more normality next year!!!

Hi & welcome aboard keora, nice to see you're back to Carl 🙂

Great to see you back hope to see many more of your wonderful images 🙂

Maybe that's why I'm not getting any replies from Celestron due to the Covid situation? I did remove the corrector plate rather nervously & try as hard as I can neither halves will tighten onto the corrector plate so it looks like I may have to wait for a bit. There seems to be a ring with 2 holes opposite each other & I'd hazzard a guess that's what needs to be tightened back up, but without having anything here that would remotely fit it I think I'll leave it to the guys who know what they're doing.

Wow that is very disappointing Nicolàs not very good service at all which is kinda worrying, I've downloaded the white paper Francis the threaded ring is what the camera is held on by I think that's what you mean it's the to halves that are on the corrector plate itself that are slightly loose that's the issue sounds an easy enough fix but it appears it isn't.

I haven't actually tested it yet Ian but with a loose lens group you can feel slight play between that & the corrector plate so I would imagine the star field would end up being quite a mess, I have looked at it & there doesn't seem any obvious way to tighten it so I'm guessing specialised tools are going to be needed to do it.

I have Olly & they told me to contact Celestron direct to get the scope looked at so I have a ticket on there that's been unanswered, the mount they said they could fix but I'd have to go through a supplier for them to raise a ticket as I'd have to pay them & not David Hinds direct. I can deliver the kit to them direct as I'm only about an hours drive away but I don't know why I'd need to go through a supplier & not deal with them.

I missed this post which is a bit odd as I usually get notifications, unfortunately we're booked for Kelling (providing it goes ahead) If the event gets cancelled I'm sure we can shift venues so I'll keep you updated

I got the scope used & knew the RASA had issues & as it's a version one it's very unlikely it has any warranty left, I raised a ticket with Celestron.com but I've heard nothing back from them, I don't know if any dealers would take it on & get it repaired for me as it seems you have to get repairs done via dealers as David Hinds mentioned this when I enquired about getting the mount repaired. Obviously I'd like to get the scope done first if it's possible before starting on the mount as my mount in the obsy will handle it but only just. I'm not a member of Cloudy Nights Dave so may have to join up if I don't get any joy soon as I'm keen to get these jobs done if its possible of course.

Hi everyone I've recently acquired a RASA 11 V1 which has an issue & I were wondering if there is anyone that can repair it? I've contacted Celestron but I've heard nothing at all from them. The issue is the Lens group has come loose in the corrector & needs to be tightened back up plus I'm guessing the collimation will need to be redone afterwards as being F2.2 I would imagine it is pretty sensitive. Someone on cloudy nights managed to tighten theirs but the post they put up is rather sketchy & doesn't really help much. The CGE pro pictured needs repairing to but that can wait as if I cannot get the scope fixed then there's no point continuing with the mount.

Blooming brilliant!!!!!

Hi Tony still plodding on here mate I hope you are all well to? You'll be better off with mono camera I use a DMK41 which I bought from Helen a while back or if I'm using the iMAC I use a pointgrey grasshopper camera, one thing you might suffer with is Newtons rings on the images especially if you're using a CMOS camera as they are a little more prone to suffering so you may need a tilt adapter. Colour cameras do work but the red can swamp the sensor so mono's are better if possible.

I can get images like this using a Coronado PST Tony so I'm sure you should be able to knock the spots of that quite easily. 🙂 What camera will you be using to capture?

I really enjoyed it so I'm looking forward to the next instalment, plus it were good to see you all again even if it was virtually 🙂

Nice one Mick I managed three ISS passes all within a month although it's gone pretty quiet now, strangely the first one I did came out better than the next two. I do have a chance of a daytime Lunar pass on the 30th so might have a bash at that so could prove to be interesting.

Cheers Tony that clears up a lot of things now still means I've got to but more spacers though which is a pain...

Cheers for clearing that up hope you're well?

Hi everyone I'm having trouble finding out where you measure the back focus on a Skywatcher ED100 0.85 reducer as some results are saying from the base of the threads on the rear where others are saying from the back of the glass, either way I've still got to buy yet more spacer adapters anyway as the one I have is to long but if anyone can help me with this issue then that would be appreciated thanks.

I got up this morning feeling a bit groggy after imaging half the night but still managed to set up the PST's for a quick run of solar imaging, the hedgerow prom has changed a lot since yesterday but it still a nice thing to view.

I thought I'd have another look at the Sun after yesterdays dismal failures imaging & there's a lovely hedgerow prom coming into view so I had a go at imaging it. All were done using PST's the close up I used a TAL 3X Barlow

Might be an idea to do a few practice runs if you can first, good luck & hope you manage to get it. 😃

I never knew about this site until yesterday Mick my mate Andy I think he is Andyboy1970 on here gave me a heads up so I thought I'd have a shot at it. I've got another transit on the 21st 9:08AM to have a go at if the weather is good so I'll be having another go at that one to. Someone said to me recently is very addictive so after my first go I think they could be right 🙂 Yup keeping busy Tony gotta do something with this social distancing although I have still been going to work which I'm not overjoyed about with the current situation. Thanks Dave fingers crossed we can catch up at a star party somewhere soon!!! https://transit-finder.com/

Here are some images I took of the Sun yesterday afternoon plus an ISS transit which is my first time I've ever captured one so quite pleased about that, seeing wasn't the best again due to haze but I pushed the PST's I think about as much as I could to get anything from them. The close ups I popped in a TAL 3X Barlow which worked pretty well I thought although after all the stacking & head scratching a rest is needed today I think.