knobby

Planetary results are very dependant on seeing conditions, focus and collimation are also very important. Something I'm going to try next time is to do several runs and just touch the focus in a tad between each run ... hopefully one will be in focus 🙂

Also worked on my 4SE

Many moons ago I bought a 5 x AA battery holder to make up a 6v supply for my EQ5 (seems so long ago) Sounds weird but rechargeable are usually 1.2v, 5 x1.2 = 6 🙂 I'll see if i can find the post.

Thanks Pete, got collimation looking ok through a 10mm ep, next night I need to fine tune with the camera.

Oh no, hope you're ok !

We're all jealous 😂 Hope it stays clear for you 🙏

I'd try it without the Barlow as your camera is 2.9microns pixel size, as a rough guide for planets you want approx 5 x pixel size as your f no. So you're looking for f15 which is in the middle of your scope native f10 and f20 with the Barlow. If you have really good seeing where you are then once you've got to grips with things then try with the Barlow. Polar alignment doesn't need to be spot on for planets, it helps but is not essential. Best of luck and look forward to seeing you're images. Make sure your finder is well aligned with the scope as it's pretty hard to get the planets on the image camera sensor.

It's so tough as collimating eats up imaging time but now I've got a capture under my belt for this year, I'll spend more time on collimation next time.

Very nice 👍🏻

Difficult to really asses but sounds like the Barlow might be taking the scope too far out of focus... Can you see anything through the eyepiece, like a donut ?

No expert but ASTAP is showing some tilt ... not much though ?

I was just glad to get out there ... 😄

Cheers Si, only spent about an hour with the scope pointing up 😂

Long story short 🙂 C9.25 - hours of fiddling to get collimation close Left the autofocuser in the 'visual' position - ages to find focus for imaging Saturn only at approx 20 degrees but couldn't stay up past 1230 Thoroughly enjoyed the 90 minutes outside though, it's been cloudy for so long. Best 20% of 7500 frames, Autostakkert - Registax, PS6. I have another 3 runs to play with later.

I love helping people spend money 😂 And saving too hopefully !

Plenty of options here https://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?typechoice[]=Mount-Pier-Tripod&minprice=&maxprice= for a mount, the camera / telescope might be a bit tough for sub £500 though. Scopes https://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?typechoice[]=Telescope-Reflector&typechoice[]=Telescope-Refractor&minprice=&maxprice= Cameras https://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?typechoice[]=CCD+equip&typechoice[]=SLR+Camera+equip&minprice=&maxprice= Just be careful to check seller, speak to them and don't just email. If you're unsure post link on here and ask for opinions. Your friend will also need to research how to find objects etc. Example of whats possible second hand from above ... https://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=202884 £160 tracking mount https://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=203342 £225 refractor scope https://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=203287 £175 Modded DSLR I know thats £560, but keep looking and / or make offers 🙂

Cost and weight ?

Speaking of the Narrowband channel, no begging for money but I can see that he might need help sooner or later. Very sad, Ben has stage 4 cancer 😞

@Rusted Finally got the chance to get the little scope back on the Sun. I think I might still be overcooking the sharpening but just can't help myself. Autostakkert, Imppg, CS6 to crop and false colour. Spookily I showed Mrs knobby via WhatsApp and she said 'looks like an eggshell' 🤣 Thanks for the tips Rusted.

Depends what scope and where it's stored. Ideally it should have time to cool or warm to match the outside temperature. More important on reflectors than refractors though, and the bigger the mirror the longer it will probably need.

Hi Elp, I bought adaptors, much cheaper than new cables. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174950199535?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=dHQ_sKkZTtm&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=lYgy7GeFSw6&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY You can also get right angled ones.

Tripod is an option, well it is on the HEM27 so probably the same. Nice mount @michael.h.f.wilkinson

Well worth the early start 👍🏻

Cheers all, yes it was the 72ED I suppose it's ok for 39 minutes 😀

Cheers Paul, just found this while Googling 🙂 I'm definitely going to give that a try ! Looks like might be able to stack images from different cameras too ' astrometric align'