SmokeyJoe

When I try to add darks and bias frames to my stack in deepsky stacker and then look at the curves in photshop the data is so far over to the left it is sitting on the axis and very little can be done. I am using an asiair Pro to control my kit which stacks all the darks into one master dark but does not save the indervidual darks (same with the bias frames). So for example I end up with 120 lights, 1 master dark (stacked from 20 darks by the asiair app), and 1 master bias (stacked from 20 bias frames). When I stack with no darks or bias frames I get useable data in the curves tool. Any help would be welcome.

Will it fit instead of the finder? Don't have the same scope as you but I don't use my finder when using the asiair Pro (you really don't need it). If you do want to keep the finder on the scope double brackets are available. Have fun with your Asiair Pro. It makes life so much simpler.

Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks.

Came across Ed80 showcase a while ago. Can anybody help me locate it?

Not sure where to put this (mods please move if in the wrong place) Just noticed the Asiair Pro manual is finally available on their website https://astronomy-imaging-camera.com/manuals-guides. Have fun. Dom

Thinking of buying an ASIair Pro, but I'll need to get a new tablet to go with it. What I've read states that a tablet needs 4gb RAM. I can't run to a 4gb tablet (£200 budget). Has anyone used a tablet with less than 4gb and the ASIair Pro? Does anyone know of a tablet around 200 quid with 4gb RAM? Stay Safe Dom

Thanks Luke, will order something similar, can't find the exact ones. Having a wired controller is a good idea. Don't think I am far from you, I am also central Norfolkish, 52N, 1E.

I've got eqmod up and running controlling the mount from stellarium with no problems, just need a game pad or similar to move the mount when aligning as it is impossible looking through the eyepiece and then move the mount via the pc then back to the eye piece, back to the pc etc, etc... I'm using a very old Hp laptop at the moment. Running Windows 10 . I've got a couple of old Xbox 360 wireless controllers lying about but having read the reviews of pc adapters on Amazon they don't seem to work too well with Windows 10! Can I use skywatchers WiFi adaptor and my phone at the same time as my pc and eqmod? If not any recommendations for an adaptor that works ok with Xbox 360 controllers and windows 10, or a gamepad that's not too expensive and works well.

Thanks both, as I say it will not be used often, so a 1.25 will probably do, still might go for a dielectric, not sure what the practical difference is between 92% and 99%. One further connected question. I have seen finder scopes with diagonals, are the diagonals available on their own or do I need a new finder.?

I'm looking for a cheap diagonal for my SW ED 80. Usually it is supplied with a 2" diagonal (i bought just the OTA). Given that all my EPs are 1.25" and I only want to have a quick squint when star aligning or a quick look at the moon can I get away with a 1.25" diagonal? What difference will there be over a 2".

Thanks all for your help, this is my third 'restart' with astronomy, after a couple of breaks enforced by illness. Polar alignment still escapes me, but with some decent skies I shall crack on and get it sorted, practice makes perfect!

It has a clock face with gradient markings and Cassiopeia. Just waiting for clouds to clear and then will attempt polar alignment again!

Thanks for your reply, you are right about putting 6 at the top but there is also a diagram of Cassiopeia to help alignment, this is in completely the wrong place.

I have one of the new type skywatcher polar scopes. When looking through my polar scope with the mount in the home position the display is upside down compared to the illustration in the manual and the graphic on the synscan innit app. The instructions say to rotate the RA axis to put the 0 displayed in the polar scope eyepiece to the highest (I.e.12 o'clock) position. This is impossible as the mount cannot rotate 180 degrees in RA. My fist thought is that the polar scope is upside down. Am I missing something and what do I unscrew to fix it. There are 3 or four Allen bolts plus a couple of little screws.

Thanks both, new about raw/jpeg, just had brain malfunction too much information going in recently!

Quick silly questions about my Canon 450d SRGB or Photoshop RGB (will be using Photoshop for processing). Should I be using noise reduction or does this lose too much signal. I know I've read the answers to these somewhere but I've done so much reading recently I can't remember where!

Thanks all, going to have a look see tonight and see how well my mount tracks.

Thanks David, I realise that conditions aren't the best for the next few months but the scope was a birthday present that I have been staring at the Flo site for a year or so I am itching to use it, plan to spend the summer months making sure kit works fine and improving basic skills such as polar alignment etc, just need a target to practice on so I can see if I am improving. I agree that's why I'm considering it, just wondered what would be best for my kit. Thanks both for your advice.

While I wait a week or two for the clouds that came with my new imaging setup to clear, trying to get everything sorted. Not sure what to use as a first target. Looking for something that I can return to that will enable me to improve both imaging and post processing over time. I will be using a SW ED80 with a Canon 450D on an EQ5 unguided to begin with. I have ok skies but am in the middle of a new build housing estate overlooked by windows on three sides best views are from South to West. After consulting Stellarium I am thinking of either Bode's galaxy or the Pinwheel at the moment, does anybody have any other suggestions?

Greetings from mid Norfolk.

On Tuesday I received a nice parcel from those lovely people at FLO, a nice new SW ED80 DS Pro. Not been able to get out due to commitments but the sky has been nice and clear. Today my second hand Canon 450 arrived at about 12:30 and the clouds immediately started to roll in. Checked clear outside and it's going to be cloudy until Monday at least. Should have thrown the empty FLO boxes away! Seems to have taken a few days for the clouds to escape 😭

Every Photon Counts. Not put it down since it popped through my letter box at lunchtime, thought this was pushed too much on this forum, maybe due to the author being a member or maybe because it only seems to be available from FLO, the forum sponsor. I was wrong! Great read .