alan potts

As much as I would like to try and help the air is very dry here, it hasn't rained for 6 weeks. It is 34 outside at the moment and sunny, I am not sure I can get down to minus 10, maybe later on or tomorrow I can give it a try, can't stay this hot forever. I will see what I can do. I am very new to this, a bit daunting if I am honest, the software is my biggest bug bare, just not use to it.

Just a thought how do you turn the heater on, I have seen a warm up routine in APT and cooling, but not noticed heater.

Alan

Stunning image, my son has just said it looks like an eagle with a broken wing.

Alan

I feel both images are superb, though if I had to pick one the red one would edge it. It is interesting seeing all these different filter and how they donot give like for like results. I always wonder why people pay such large amounts for these Astrodon filters. You have had problems with Baader, a name I thought one could trust, I tend to like Astronomik's though I know nothing. I think if I were to mention the purchase of Astrodon my next port of call may well be a hole in the ground.

Alan

Looks like you had a great night, nice report too.

Alan

After a massive run of clear nights we had a thin cloud evening here too, one could still observe but the Moon always annoys me when so large.

Alan

Nice report, a good collection in Aquila nice and high here at the moment, must get doing a bit of visual.

Alan

I am not expert in any way shape or form but this has happened to me and it was a cable catching on, my laptop, though after two years I would have thought you would have noticed a cable problem, good luck.

Alan 

Wow Rodd, superb images, could you give me an NGC number for this I would like to try at some point, really lives up to its name.

Alan

Sorry to hear this Alan, I have only cooled mine to zero as it was so hot here. The instructions are rubbish and in my view for another camera, at one part of it refers to an 11mm spacer which the camera does not need. I have taken a darks run and tried a couple of subs but so confused with it I have stuck it in it's box and gone back to my Canon, rather disillusioned with it. If it is something one can see would you like me to try anything for you to see if there is a bad batch as mine is only 3 weeks old.

Alan

3 hours ago, Rodd said:

That is the beauty of the live focus system--continual perfect focus at all times......if it works.  I find my temperature compensation on the Boss II electric focus controller works pretty well.  I still check focus every hour or so.   I view the live focus as the ultimate auto focus system.................."  "  ".

Rodd

I imagine to yourself imaging at somewhat more than arms length it is vital, I dare say you have ways of looking at what you capture but to correct maybe is not as straight forward as me just turning the focuser, I feel this would be great for the likes of yourself if it proves to be good and reliable.

Alan

Very nice must try this one.

Alan

Very nice Richard, didn't know you had open the cupboard of dark forces and black arts.

Alan

It is the thing I have most problems with, tend to forget it and the temperature can drop fairly quick causing problems, only a touch but it is enough to ruin things.

Alan

25 minutes ago, Stub Mandrel said:

Assuming you have accurate figures for guidescope focal length and guidecam pixel size, then trying to get beyond 0.5" regularly with HEQ5/EQ6 is pointless as they resolution of the steppers is the limiting factor.

My 'rule of thumb' is that a guiding RMS close to the imaging pixel size is the ideal, but even an RMS of twice that is hard to spot, especially if that's evenly spread between RA and DEC.

My 130P-DS/450D/coma corrector combo has a pixel scale of 1.83" per pixel, I have no trouble with it. The 150PL/450D is 0.89" per pixel, so I prefer to get sub-arcsecond guiding with it, although slightly worse doesn't seem to cause problems. I use a 183mm f/l guidescope with the 130P-DS and 66 ED, and a 220mm f/l guidescope with the 150PL, both with the 120MC camera.

The usual cause of trouble is when one of DEC or RA is showing spurious peaks once or twice per sub, even if the RMS is only a bit high, as this means bright stars come out as 'doubles'. Usually badly balanced DEC and sometimes solved with resist switch.

My guide scope is a SW Ed 50mm, at 242mm and I have a 290mini camera. This is guiding a 638mm scope at the moment or 805mm without the reducer/flat. I have to agree even the other night when I was playing figures were around arc second most of the time and I couldn't see it int he subs at all, even at x200%, so I guess that is the acid test. I had a period the other night where this OSA (maybe got that wrong) was in red at .10, not sure whether that is good or bad but the lines were almost straight, I thought it had stopped.

Alan

Lovely image Peter, a difficult target I am sure and with 21 hours I guess you are getting the same sort of clear skies I have 36 on the trot now and again clear.

Alan

Sounds like dew on the mirror to me, have seen it myself in winter.

Alan

About the best I have seen, great image.

Alan

Lovely shot, difficult, no impossible with my gear to get it all in, 300mm camera lens maybe.

Alan

I think it is time for me to learn to stop messing as generally my guiding looks better than the logs shown, maybe my occasional blip is poor balance or as we have said before seeing. I don't know if guide scope and camera affect things from the numbers point of view but, talking seconds both my RA and DEC are close to 0.5 and have even been below it a few times.

Alan

I am sure FLO will sort it though some issues I have caused with my gear have foxed them .

Good luck Alan

I just get the feeling there is something wrong with the RA shaft, that image from Polemaster looked very strange to me, as you said, it isn't like it's the first time you have set this up.

Alan

47 minutes ago, Rodd said:

I just need to have the fortitude to stick with it.  5 filters with multiple exposure lengths....a lot of work.  Will take  a long time unless I get lucky with a week of clear sky

Rodd

We have had 35 on the trot now and could use some rain, Moon at the moment doesn't help me with more clear sky tonight and tomorrow, wish I could send you some.

Alan

Well when I take photo's of people i always believe get in close and fill the frame, this is a different take on a target I have seen a few times there is detail in there for sur,e

From the poit of view of PA, a while back mine was said to be 14.6 minutes out and it guided out fairly well, that was PHD2 's Polar Drift and Guide Assistant.

Alan

I will take the lead from Carole and her greater knowledge, clearly a difficult target very well executed, looks like an oil fire.

Alan