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SteveNickolls

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Posts posted by SteveNickolls

  1. Thanks Ratlet, I've done a test indoors with the EAF conected to the main camera and will see if additionally connecting the guide camera (ASI 120MM-mini) works under the stars. A friend has sucessfuky run his guide camera, a 224 through his ASI 533MC-PRO along a single USB cable and which has prompted me to just try.

    Cheers,

    Steve

  2. The time of the year and the poor weather in the UK have both conspired to limit adding new posts on this thread, however in the background I have been steadily working towards imaging in the coming season using the GEM28 mount.

    GEM28 Update July 2023

    This coming season I’m intending to use the GEM28 set up to principally obtain OIII data for several nebulae and add this to the Ha data obtained last season. In preparation a number of new items have been added to the imaging rig-

    An Astronomik Max FR OIII 12nm filter. The work of Brian Mantooth has demonstrated that the Samyang 135mm lens at f/2 is best served by a 12nm filter rather than a 6nm one. Reference- https://www.youtube.com/@BrentMantooth

    A Hyperpod ring system with ZWO EAF holder. I had intended buying an Astrodymium ring kit but recent shortages mean an alternative supplier had to be sourced.

    ZWO EAF. I would have preferred to use a Pegasus EAF but presently the company do not make an adapter to secure the EAF on the Samyang lens.

    William Optics 290mm Vixen dovetail plate. This provides more space to attach the Pegasus Power Box Micro unit in line with the main weighty items on the dovetail.

    20230728_202626.thumb.jpg.1a6242b2601bddd24123b6f9fde8c357.jpg

    To help balance in the ‘z’ axis I have added an Omegon tri-finder accessory.

    20230728_202647.thumb.jpg.8a2ef2e7e2d6cc526506c010a3f58841.jpg

    This has added to the overall mass of the set up, and I needed to replace a smaller 2kg counterbalance weight with the standard 4.5kg iOptron weight originally supplied with the mount. The imaging rig however remains portable if heavier.

    I am going to experiment using the USB 2.0 hub on the main ASI533MM-Pro camera to see if it will operate while taking the USB cables from the EAF and guide camera. Presently the guide scope is connected to the StarTech USB 2.0 hub directly by its own cable but the cable is long and could in this way be shortened to just 0.2m in length. The present arrangement is shown below.

    image.png.f93af51bdd33ae3542adb13ff064a19b.png

    If the weather becomes kind and we get some clear nights soon I hope to be able to try out the new arrangements showing what the GEM28 can do and will report back on progress.

    Regards,
    Steve

     

     

     

     

    iOptron cable USB/RJ11

    USB cable

     

     

     

     

     

    • Like 1
  3. Sorry to read your plea, still a problem shared is a problem halved, so they say.

    The light nights from June to early August make any night time astronomy difficult but you could try solar or imaging in the NIR during daytime. They do require the absence of clouds but a grab and go set up allows prety rapid set up to get the most from a clear spell. You could try meteor detecting using reflections from the Graves radar in France, that operates 24/7 except odd times when the system in under maintenance. 

    Tbe truth is we get these periods unsuited to the hobby and sometimes they linger too long and patience is tested. Some turn to retail therapy, a hope that better kit brings better prospects. We must also remember our collective duty means new ponies for the children at Christmas in the many FLO households.

    It will however all come to pass and on that first clear, dark night all troubles will fade away as you gaze up to the night sky.

    "I stood and stared, the sky was lit,

    The sky was stars all over it,

    I stood, I knew not why,

    Without a wish, without a will,

    I stood upon that silent hill

    And stared into the sky until

    My eyes were blind with stars and still

    I stared into the sky."

     

    Cheers,

    Steve

    • Like 8
  4. 8 hours ago, Ratlet said:

    Edit: I'm also going to stick a "zero home position before use" sticker on the mount!

    That's excellent advice. I've highlighted the same advice in my set up list, just got to follow the list now!

    There's been a numer of updates to iCommander over the last several months that may help with using the GEM28, I like the "Bug fixes: Lots of minor bug fixes"-

     

    2023-02-07 9.06 Bug fixes: iOptron Commander will fail to connect to iOptron devices when running under Windows 11 and "Terminal settings" has been chosen to "Windows Terminal". ASCOM driver for electric focuser now registered to the correct type.

    2023-01-13 9.04 Bug fixes: In rare cases, iOptron Commander may failed to connect to mounts.

    2022-12-23 9.03 Bug fixes: Sometimes the altitude and azimuth may refresh incorrectly. For some mount model, the hand controller model may display incorrectly.

    2022-12-12 9.02 Major update! New features: Added support for a batch of new mount models (HEM, HAE, HAZ series). Now display distance of Solar System objects. Now attempt to connect to all available COM ports after program launched. Improvements: Performance optimizations. No console windows will be displayed when connecting. List of COM port will be refreshed when in "Port Settings". Local apparent sidereal time and star coordinates will be refreshed more frequently. Buttons will auto scale when moving window between screens with different DPI. Bug fixes: Lots of minor bug fixes.

    Cheers,
    Steve

  5. 2 hours ago, Ratlet said:

    I've had a couple issues with the mount deciding it needed to point at the core of the earth.

    Can I enquire the version of the GEM28 software in use when you had these slew issues? It's good however to know that restting the zero position worked regardless of the hand controller firmware version.

    Cheers,

    Steve

  6. As regards the zero position every session after polar aligning I set the new zero position in iCommander. As I use the main camera and Samyang lens with a fov around 5 degrees this is ideal to use with SharpCap Pro and removes any cone error I was previously getting after polar aligning with the iPolar.

    Cheers,

    Steve

  7. Hi Elp, sorry to learn of the problem you are having. Unfortunately I don't use an ASiair to control imaging but hopefully someone on SGL will be able to assist. I have heard of some ASiair users having odd problems with recent software.

    Yesterday I was getting my firmware and iOptron software updated to use this coming season and a couple of matters strike me. Have you replaced the button type battery in the hand controller as it discharges very quickly? You could say it was a 'feature' of the hand controller but best to call as it is-a bane. Before I replaced the battery I noticed date and time were incorrect and the offset for time zone completely wrong both on the hand controller and in iComander 9. There is a relatively recent firmware update too- CEM26/GEM28 Firmware Package including 8409 hand controller (v230305) which adds a new version for the hand controller and DEC. I've yet to try the updated mount outsdie due to the time of year.

    I will be very interested in what the solution to the problem you are having is.

    Cheers,
    Steve

  8. Thanks for posting I hope you are able to resolve the issue you are having. I've had the same unit for focusing my StarTravel 102 for a number of years now and while basic does the job fine. When you get the unit back working you might check this replacement controller unit and wi-fi unit to replacec the stock SW brand item.

    https://www.firstlightoptics.com/skywatcher-focusers/4tronix-focusrf-remote-control-for-dc-focus-motors.html

    It actually has an on/off switch and a better build, no more removing battery between uses. The wi-fi unit allows control over a greater distance if that brings more to the table.

    Hope you get the problem fixed.

    Regards,

    Steve

  9. Just now, Paul M said:

    Thinking about it now, there is an opportunity there for some advertising. That engine array looks like a huge dot matrix display. Could have it displaying the McDonalds "M" or something.. :)

    That is special, do you work in marketting? 👍

    • Haha 2
  10. The most intriguing part is naming the product the 'SeeStar S50' so expect more models in the future with wider objectives and different focal lengths, maybe. Understand the device is currently limited to 10 second sub-exposures too which might relate to build quality? Years ago I was lucky to have a good example of the SkyWatcher Synscan Alt Az mount where 60 seconds was achievable before the mount mechanic limitations showed up. Seems a good device for travel.

    Cheets,

    Steve

  11. Sorry to hear your CG5 may be no more, my own CG5- 'Lazarus' is also 2006 vintage and has served well over the years. I wonder how many AM5's will be operational and reach 2040, I don't think I will be. 🙃

    As others have said check everything in case a resurrection can be performed.

    Cheers,

    Steve

    • Thanks 1
  12. 16 hours ago, woldsman said:

    This study, published in 2012 concluded that the UK has "an average yearly cloud-free probability of 21.3% with maximum and minimum monthly mean probabilities of 33.3% and 12.9% in November and March"   https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/2150704X.2012.744486 

    Interesting summary but I can't afford to buy the full article, where I live that's around 8 CME's ,that's 6 Chinese MEal equivalents he, he.-

    image.thumb.png.eb73613185f7792a0929d977c7ee0cd6.png

    Cheers,
    Steve

  13. Well this is the reply I got today from my MP on the matter of light pollution, its a summary of the present controls etc. that have us in this mess and he along with his Government chums feel it's ok and for the most part there's no plans to revise them. I will be writing back to say something along the lines of it's not nearly good enough and it's losing him votes. Seems there will be some review of the national planning policy framework this year.

    Cheers,
    Steve

    Dear Steve,

    Thank you for writing to me about light pollution.
     
    The Government recognises the impact light pollution may have on people’s health and wellbeing, as well as the environment. Ministers have put measures in place to ensure that light pollution is managed effectively. These include controls in the planning system, the statutory nuisance regime, and improvements in street lighting. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has worked with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to ensure that the National Planning Policy Framework is clear that planning decisions should limit the impact of light pollution on local amenity, dark landscapes and nature conservation. The statutory nuisance regime requires that local authorities take reasonably practicable steps to investigate complaints of artificial light emitted from premises which could be damaging to human health or a nuisance. The management of street lighting in England and Wales is the responsibility of local highway authorities, which have a duty under the Highways Act 1980 to maintain the public highways in their charge, including street lighting. Central Government has no powers to override local decisions in these matters or intervene in these types of local issues. The Department for Transport recognises that light pollution, and excessive use of lighting, can pose some social, economic and environmental problems. Local authorities are encouraged to consider best practice when making decisions about lighting on their networks.
     
    Our National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty have some of the best dark skies and attained some of the earliest official Dark Skies designations in Europe. Seven of our parks have secured protected dark sky status, and the Government is committed to conserving and celebrating this wonderful experience for all. The Government’s consultation on the National Planning Policy Framework focuses on delivering the right homes in the right places and giving local people a greater say on where to place new development. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities intends to undertake a fuller review of the framework later in 2023, and I look forward to considering the proposals in due course.
     
    The Government considers that existing measures are sufficient to manage any problems caused by artificial light and there are no current plans to revise them.
     
    Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.

  14. Yes it was the March 2022 edition of the Sky at Night magazine and they created a 'Drake equation' to try to estimate the number of 'productive nights per year'.

    N=Y.fc.fm.ffr.fbw.fbt.fe

    Where-

    N=number of productive nights per year

    Y=total nights in a year (365 or 366 or 365.25?)

    fc=fraction of clear nights

    fm=fraction of nights that are Moon-free

    ffr=fraction of free nights

    fbw=fraction of nights with bearable wind

    fbt=fraction of nights with bearable temperature

    fe=fraction of time that all equipment works properly

    There's a few holes in this but the article went on to give values expected for various 'set ups'-

     

    The article suggested four levels of activity as having different values for each function-for portable visual, portable imaging, permanent imaging and remote imaging.

    And a likely estimate for the number of nights spent for each-

    Activity

    Number of nights in a year

    Portable visual

    50

    Portable imaging

    14

    Permanent imaging

    43

    Remote imaging

    148

     

     

     

    • Like 2
  15. I've been keeping records of my observing/imaging for the past eleven and seven seasons respectively. I try to get out observing/imaging whenever I can and so apart from being ill or unable to get outside due to another social commitment the numbers reflect the opportunities here in the suburbs of Nottingham. We can have weeks of poor skies but relish the chance to use binoculars to capture half an hour of observing if conditions allow. In one of last year's Sky at Night Magazine, I think the March issue there was an article quoting figures on the number of sessions with various set up's, the outcome being that having an observatory or performing remote imaging were the better options for increasing opportunities. Of course if you are at work or have to get up early the next day your opportunities are going to be a trade off, there are also other demands on time that can mean you miss an otherwise decent night.

    I have no observatory but have over the years taken more to binocular observation of the sky and have worked my imaging set up to be lightweight, portable and quick to set up/take down and controllable from indoors. Unless on holiday I don't travel far to observe or image. When conditions aren't ideal for DSO imaging I will try imaging the Moon and this year intend to branch out to try solar imaging in the daytime all to get the most out of the opportunities that present themselves. One aspect of the hobby that can be enjoyed virtually all year round and not recorded below is the detection of meteors using the back scatter provided from objects caught in the radar radiation from GRAVES near Dijon, France. With a home built antenna and software defined radio device such as the FunCube hours of interest can be had.

    Very interested to hear the views and experiences of others.

    Cheers,

    Steve

                                                                                                                     Comparison Monthly Observations (Seasons 2012-2013 to 2022-2023)

    Year

    Month

    J

    J

    A

    S

    O

    N

    D

    J

    F

    M

    A

    M

    Total

    Av

    12-13

    1

    3

    4

    5

    7

    4

    6

    6

    4

    2

    0

    0

    42

    3.5

    13-14

    3

    4

    9

    8

    8

    7

    6

    4

    4

    2

    2

    3

    60

    5

    14-15

    0

    2

    9

    9

    6

    8

    10

    9

    5

    5

    7

    3

    73

    6.1

    15-16

    5

    2

    7

    11

    10

    10

    8

    5

    6

    5

    4

    3

    76

    6.3

    16-17

    2

    2

    6

    6

    4

    3

    3

    4

    4

    4

    5

    3

    46

    3.8

    17-18

    3

    1

    13

    8

    7

    10

    6

    11

    5

    3

    6

    9

    82

    6.8

    18-19

    10

    7

    11

    12

    7

    9

    14

    15

    15

    5

    5

    4

    114

    9.5

    19-20

    0

    5

    13

    13

    8

    9

    4

    6

    7

    8

    8

    7

    88

    7.3

    20-21

    4

    8

    5

    11

    7

    9

    10

    6

    8

    6

    10

    3

    87

    7.25

    21-22

    4

    7

    6

    9

    5

    9

    7

    12

    7

    8

    8

    4

    86

    7.17

    22-23

    8

    6

    16

    5

    11

    8

    11

    11

    9

    3

     

     

     

     

    Total

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

                                                                                                                                    Monthly Imaging Sessions (Seasons 2016-17 to 2022-2023)

    Month

     

    Number of Telescope/DSLR and Lens/DSLR Imaging                       Sessions

    16-17

    17-18

    18-19

    19-20

    20-21

    21-22

    22-23

    June

    2

    1

    1

    0

    0

    1

    2

    July

    1

    1

    3

    0

    1

    5

    0

    August

    6

    7

    8

    5

    2

    2

    11

    Sept 

    3

    6

    4

    8

    9

    5

    2

    Oct

    2

    2

    5

    2

    2

    0

    4

    Nov

    1

    2

    4

    0

    3

    2

    5

    Dec 

    3

    4

    5’

    1

    5

    2

    6

    Jan

    1

    4

    6

    4

    3

    10

    7

    Feb

    0

    1

    3

    4

    5

    2

    5

    Mar

    4

    1

    1

    3

    0

    4

    2

    April

    5

    2

    1

    4

    3

    4

     

    May

    2

    3

    3

    1

    0

    5

     

    Total

    30

    34

    44

    32

    33

    42

    44

    Sessions/

    Month

    30/12=

    2.5 pm

    34/12
    =

    2.83 pm

    44/12=

    3.7 pm

    32/12
    =

    2.7 pm

    33/12
    =

    2.75 pm

    42/12=

    3.5 pm

     

  16. Hi, thanks for posting. This is a question you have to decide on after balancing things in your own mind and jump one way. Plenty of folks seem to have no trouble leaving kit out, albeit protected in every weather, though after Cuivs recent calamity there were plenty of viewers who admitted to having had similar issues. 

    The obvious advantages of having kit ready or almost ready and deployed outside for you are there to explore. I am of an age where I want my gear to last me out so I  have gone the route of devising an invisible, dispersed observatory (joke)- I built an imaging pad at the bottom of the garden with markers for the tripod to quickly polar align each session, purchased a light imaging set up (GEM28, Samyang 135m lens, ASI533, guide scope and camera, Pegasus power box micro and StarTech USB over Ethetnet device) that I can carry all set up to the pad, wires connected ready. I just connect up to a Cat6 Ethernet cable laid in conduit outdoors and roll out a rcd protected mains power reel. Apart from a nightly quick polar align using SharpCap Pro I can then return indoors to control the whole session. Packing any takes a few minutes only. I store my gear indoors and leave no trace of the invisible, dispersed observatory outside. SWMBO is happy too with that. 👍

    Good luck deciding which road you want to travel on, there's no right or wrong just cost.

    Cheers,

    Steve

    • Like 1
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