Stargazer33

They are dust particles in the optical train. Probably on the camera lens or filter. Flats are used to remove these, as well as gradients in the image, such as vignetting.

Hi Andrew, welcome to SGL. Yes ascom is still a thing, so is carte du ceil. A lot of people who guild, use PHD2. Can't help with nebulosity as I don't use it, but I have seen it mentioned on here numerous times. GIMP is a freeware program that is very similar to PS for processing. Good luck with getting into the swing of things again.😀

Hi, still waiting on the camera. I have to say that the tracking information from AliExpress is pretty poor. It doesn't update for days! The last information I have is that it is awaiting customs clearance; which was posted on 25th - now 29th!!! Not sure if I'll have to pay import duty or not, or how much it might be. I will post more when I receive it.

The TOA image is better IMO. The stars in the FSQ image look a little 'square'! Both are enviable images though.

Just got confirmation of dispatch of a Zwo ASI385MC from Zwos Ali Express web site! 😬😱 It's $369.00 or about £294.00 so just under my upper limit. Here come the clouds! 😉☁🌩🌧

Hi, no the cameras mentioned are not cooled, but as stated in my original post, I only have about £300 to spend. A cooled camera would be considerably over my budget. I have got a modified Canon 1100D which I have made a coolbox for. Again, as stated in my OP, I am unhappy with my current high frame rate camera and I'm looking to upgrade that as I mainly do planetary/luna imaging, but also want to try imaging some of the brighter DSOs.

Thanks for your comments/thoughts. I was going to buy a 224MC off UKAB&S but the guy couldn't wait for the end of the month and my pay day and sold to someone who had the funds ready to go! Shame because it was a good deal. My wife and I are going to New York in September so I might see what I can pick up in NYC! I don't think they do the Zwo brand in BH Photo or Adorama, but I'll have a look if I get time.

Hi, this question has probably been done to death here, but can I ask the community to help me decide on a new camera? After struggling with my very glitchy QHY5LIIc camera for a while, as well as having a forced break from astronomy, I have decided to get a new camera. After all the problems I've been having with the QHY, I really don't want to use this manufacturer again. I know lots of people use them quite happily, but once bitten ... I have been looking at the ZWO cameras - OSC, as I haven't the time, clear skies, or patients to do LRGB imaging! I have about £250 to spend, which I may be able to push to £300 if I wait a bit. ? So I've been looking at the ASI224MC, ASI290MC and the ASI178MC cameras. I mainly do planetary/Luna imaging, but I have also dabbled in a bit of DSO and would like to continue with both. I have a C9.25 and a ST80 guide scope. I know these aren't ideal for DSOs but please humour me! I think from the specs/information that the 224 is probably the best option. Although the resolution and QE are the worst of the three, the well depth and read noise are the best and the fps is pretty good too. I don't know if there are better/cheaper cameras using the same chips, such as Altair's range. I just don't want to make the same mistake that I did with the QHY!n Any help/advice you can give will be much appreciated.?

What about a large plastic Doric/Roman column? It would just look like a rather pretentious garden ornament!

It's always good to step away from a problem and think about something else. It's amazing how often an answer or idea just pops into your mind! I used to scuba dive and I remember from my training that objects cool 25 times quicker in water than air, for any given temperature.

Oh if my little foray into imaging is anything to go by, you will be WELL distracted by understanding digital imaging, let alone mastering it Kev! ???

It could be the negative header you have on the reservoir. Is there any way you can mount the reservoir at the same height as the pump?

Nice image. ☺ I thought narrow band imaging wasn't affected by Moonlight?

I wish we could find tradespeople like that in the UK! ?

Kev, if you're worried about the anti-thrust plate being an advertisement for valuables inside; could you not paint it to match the door? If you use a thin steel bar then it probably wouldn't even show from a distance. On the cladding damage, wood filler would hide the hole before you repaint. Or are you intending to 'distress' the whole obsy to camouflage it as in Gina's post!??

Probably won't be a problem with that much concrete, but normally the pier foundation is isolated from the main floor to stop vibrations as you walk around.

Ahh, nice and secure now! ??

Just found this on Jewsons website: Tough, consistent and great value, Sterling OSB3 is a precision-engineered structural board for use in load bearing humid conditions. Stronger than most softwood plywood Can perform even when wet FSC certified Made from timber grown in the UK BBA approved and conforms to Eurocodes Simple to saw, drill, nail, plane, file or sand So I wouldn't worry!

Have they overdone the powder coating, or are the holes in the wrong place?

What about scaffold poles cut slightly longer than the original legs bolted on instead?

You need to post your image in a new thread. Not in this announcement, otherwise it won't count.

Received a ZWO Atmospheric Dispersion Corrector today. So I am ready for Jupiter, when it gets to a reasonable time of the night to image.