Stargazer33

The Canon .mov video file format is not very good for doing lucky imaging for planetary images. The file format is too 'lossy'. DSLRs are best for long exposure deep sky imaging; but then you run into problems with thermal noise from amp glow unless you can cool the camera.

Reading the reviews on this camera, a lot of people say that they just stop working after a couple of weeks to a couple of months! I hope you have better luck with yours.

Just did a quick ggl and found this on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fotga-Adapter-Confirm-M42-Lens-D7200-D7100-D7000-D5500-D5300-D5200-D5100-D5000-D3300-D3200-D3100-D3000-D90-D80-D70-D60-D600-D610-D800-D750-D810/dp/B01AUNS2ZQ/ref=sr_1_6?crid=LNQFSJS1QV16&keywords=m42+to+nikon+D3100+adapter&qid=1640806986&sprefix=m42+to+nikon+d3100adapter%2Caps%2C262&sr=8-6

I believe that you can download the software without actually purchasing the camera. There is an excel file of the camera serial numbers with some sort of calibration data that should be entered into the software. Not sure what that does, or what would happen if you didn't enter it? I was thinking myself of just using my ASI385MC with all sky lens and the collimation rings in APT or even Al's Collimation Aid. After all, this is just to get it close. You should still do a star test on a night with good seeing.

I think this is a general issue these days. Goods are made to fail within a certain time period. This all started with Osram in Germany. The company realised that their products were lasting too long and that their sales could be increased if their bulbs failed sooner. Couple that with modern manufacturing techniques, cheap unskilled labour (sometimes child labour) and unrealistic production targets and it's not surprising that the end user has bad experiences occasionally. Everyone is trying to maximise profits these days rather than provide a good service/product at a reasonable price. When you realise that materials are produced as cheaply as possible, which are used to make components as cheaply as possible, which then go into product made as cheaply as possible, it's a wonder that anything works! Cuiv, The Lazy Geek has a very interesting video on YouTube about Baader narrowband filters which really surprised me. BTW, I have a ZWO ASI385MC and although I haven't had much chance to use it in the couple of years that I've had it, it has worked a lot better than my QHY 5LII camera. But that's another story! Merry Christmas to one and all and may all the toys Santa brings you tonight work perfectly straight out of the box and for many years to come. 😁🎅

I definitely wouldn't want what looks like a C11 or possibly a C14 swinging around without a counterweight; even on a fixed pier, let alone a tripod! 😱

Is there not a very good reason why mounts have a counterweight to offset the weight of the ota? 🤔

Sounds like you have zoomed in on your screen. Check your display settings.

Really nice image, with great detail. That must be a small target if you're imaging at nearly three meters!

I've managed to find the details. For those who wish to know it's M10 x 1.5 and approx 14mm long.

Hi, I'm in the process of making an 'owls nest' mount head for a pier I intend to put up in the garden. I am going to mount an aluminium pier adapter on top of the stainless steel 'owls nest'. I have all the dimensions for the adapter except for the thread size of the alignment pin. Any info would be gratefully appreciated. 😊

Have you had a windows update recently? They can mess up the USB slots. I would try reinstalling your USB drivers.

I watch: Cuiv, The Lazy Geek AstroQuest1 James Lamb Plus anything else that catches my eye as I'm flicking through!

That would make sense. There is normally a small magnet on the 'seesaw' which would pull the read switch apart rather than push it together.

When I hypertuned my CGEM I got a set of shims from Doug Dieter in the US. I think they cost about $16 for 12 or 15; not sure now. His email address is skygazer@kennaquhair.com. They were a bit rough around the edges; obviously not stamped out. More like cut with a craft knife, but a bit of wet & dry soon sorts that out. HTH.

That's really nice! The ray patterns show up really well. I don't think it looks drab at all.

Would loading the firmware for an eq mount give you the star alignment option? In effect, your mount now acts more like an eq than an alt-az. I know Celestron hand controllers can be programmed with either firmware so I suspect Skywatcher hand controllers can too. Excellent idea by the way!

Is that a stacked image? If so then it looks like you are stacking on hot pixels. There are some points without trailing in your image, which would suggest hot pixels as they remain in the same place in each frame. If your stars are at all elongated then the stacking software won't see them as stars and will instead think the hot pixels are stars and use them for reference. Guiding will always help as long as it is set up correctly; but it's not a miracle cure all.

A nice couple of captures Peter! Especially for manually focusing at f20 and f15. You're not that much further south than me so it's definitely time to get my stuff sorted and get out imaging! 😁

Great start. 80,000 frames! How long was the video? With your 'scope and the x2 Barlow, any longer than a couple of minutes of video and you are going to get blur from Jupiter's fast rotation. Remember, Jupiter rotates in a little over 9 hours & 55 minutes. It really whips round! Keep your captures short, one to two minutes for your focal length. You can always stack multiple stacks and de-rotate them in WinJUPOS (as Iainev said above). Good luck with your next session. Jupiter is starting to climb a little higher each year now, so as in the old D'ream song; 'Things Can Only Get Better. Ooh I should have saved that one for The Infinite Monkey Cage! 😁

Thanks Ian. The intention always was to put two support legs on the actual build. I just got lazy with the model build as it was getting a bit late by the time I finished. Good suggestion about the cross bracing though. 👍

Unfortunately I'm 6' 4" in my stocking feet, which is why I put the door in the taller side. I've scalped myself so many times going in and out of our shed I don't want to be doing the same on an obsy; especially at 02:00 in the morning! It's amazing how much hair protects your head from bumps; and how much it hurts when you no longer have that protection! 👨‍🦲🤕😂

I did consider this type of design, but wondered if too much water would drip into the 'scope room if I opened up after rain.

I only have views to the North and limited South. West is hampered by an oak, beech, sycamore lined lane (bridleway) and low East is blocked by our houses.

😁 ahh yes, I remember the 70s well!