TheThing

So I thought I'd have a dabble in the dark arts.  I knew it would be extremely difficult but, with a clear sky at last and hope in my heart, I set out to see what I could capture.

First problem was that I managed to knock the finder out of alignment, so finding anything was a new nightmare. I managed to get it kind of on Polaris, but it needs fetling in the day.

The second problem was that my new finder guider was just an image of noise! 

This was in PHD. Reminds me a bit of trying to tune in a TV in the old days. So I've managed to capture some cosmic background radiation, so there is that!

Finally, couldn't actually see anything in Sharpcap, so not sure if I've got the Pleiades or just a black image yet.

Still, I was out...

If anyone can explain the finder guidescope being 'snow' I'd be eternally grateful.  Also, it said it couldn't move the mount in RA, so any hints on that please? Celestron CG5-GT.

Today, a better dovetail from FLO ordered late yesterday pm.

Lots of bits over the last few weeks (including in his santa disguise) including numerous bolts, SW guide scope mount, the finder/guider (thanks to FLO/santa), the Altair camera to use for guiding, tube rings (thanks to Giles_B) and some other bits and bobs. This is my budget wide field system. I'm going to dip my toe in the AP side of things, as well as planetary imaging, and see how I get on. Wont be brilliant results but if I capture anything then it is an evening well spent!

Every.Time! I get all excited about a clear night and the high cloud spoils it. Haven't had a proper clear night for weeks. 

🙄

Give it a wiggle. I've got one of those adapters and it needs twisting slightly and sometimes pulling out a little.or.pushing in a bit to make a good contact.

Ordered a new SW motor focuser and a remote control before Xmas. I new that the remote control was out of stock and what with Xmas and New Year it would be a while before they were available again. FLO have kept me updated and the items came into stock on Thursday. Received from the courier yesterday morning! Can't get better service than that! Thanks Aunty FLO. 

Little something from Aunty Flo...

Very nice!  And HB for the big day.

My bad M4.5 and M5 were too small, M6 and M7 too big. Getting confused with so many bolts on the table. Think a MM5.5 would be perfect but can't find them anywhere.

I've recently acquired on of these SW Guide scope mounts but the hole sizes are driving me crazy!  There is a row of threaded holes (see pics)  down the centre, which would be perfect to attach my little guide scope to.  However, I can't fathom the size.  I tried M5 - too big, M4.5 - too big, M4 - too small.  Must be imperial so I've found some 3/16" - too small.  Now I've run out of bolts in my 'man draw' so before I look to purchase any, can someone help me with sizing please?  Be very much appreciated!

Something that has always puzzled me and I've not found a clear answer to it as yet - How do you DSO imagers know how long to take exposures for?  I suppose I could just go through the pictures that are posted and make a table to correlate them, but is there a hard and fast rule or is it just luck?

For example, say that I wanted to take some images of the Orion Nebula, how long should my exposures be and how many should I take?  Is it the same for the Pleiades and the Andromeda galaxy or do these differ?

Thanks in advance,

Puzzled of Epsom Spa  

Ordered a couple of bits from you yesterday, but there is a 3-4 day wait, which is actually perfect!  If they don't arrive until into the New Year then I can claim I used Xmas money to buy them.  Once again, FLO going above and beyond! 

Thick socks and a wooly hat are a must.

Where is that from please?

I had the same problem with my mak and ASI462MC.  I've 'fixed' it by using some of these parfocal rings: -

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adapters/astro-essentials-parfocal-rings.html

Set up during the day (doesn't matter how far away the object is, as long as you can focus on it). Now I just focus with the ep with the parfocal ring on, swap for the camera and maybe a bit of fine focusing, and you're away!

Admittedly I did try a cheeky 2x Barlow on Jupiter, just for a quick 2000 frames...

Finally a clear night, albeit brass monkeys, coinciding with all my equipment being up and running. Quick shot of Jupiter then my first ever attempt at Mars. A bit small but I'm concentrating on getting everything in focus before I start adding magnification into the mix.



New power cable came today and, I am pleased to confirm, that other then shorting out the RCD thingies, there appears to be no problems with the mount or handset.

Well, I think they are pretty good!  I've never done any deep sky imaging but, I'd be 'over the moon' with those images.

Hope this is ok for me to join in with?  My little Opticstar AR80s that I picked up fairly recently.  I've been able to use it yet as it is so small and light, I needed to source a 1kg weight for my mount to balance!  I'm a suckered for a short tube frac, been on my wish list for years but, the itch is not yet scratched...

Bit of over use of the main power cable to my mount, unbeknownst to me as I only ever use it in the dark.  Plugged it in and 'POP' with a massive spark. Fortunately, both the extension lead and the socket also popped their circuit breaker thingies so the good Mrs TheThing won't be able to cash the life assurance on me just yet!

Another one on order.  Hope it hasn't damaged the hand controller (Celestron CG 5 GT). Time will tell.  And the first clear night I  ages too!

Parfocal rings from Auntie Flo.  Under rated piece of kit, especially if you have trouble getting a CCD into focus.

Hang on to your hats!  The forecast is for clear skies tonight!

4 minutes ago, ollypenrice said:

 

A good rule of thumb regarding decisions is not to make any. Buy everything.

 

Sound advice! N+1 and all that.

Mainly with my 127mm mak for planetary but also, possibly, with an 8" newt and/or a 80mm frac.