astrognosis

Is there anybody that could help or share experiences to use NINA via the Sky X to control a Software Bisque ME Mk II mount. If there is someone who could assist I can send further details and error messages. Note. Observatory mini computer controlled via Team viewer in my study. 1. I have installed the most recent Ascom2XMount Adapter Installer 6.2 2. "Tools -> TCP Server listening turned on. Thanks, Eric

I've finally solved the problem myself. There is a sensor that homes the filter and locates filter positions. This was not correctly situated. I moved it until it picked up the filter positions. Works ok. I wouldn't touch that company now or recommend them at all or there present UK dealer. Not able to contact them at all and get help beyond first notification.

Tomato, I'm having problems trying to get a hold of anybody at Moravian to confirm the situation and arrange repair. I'm prepared to be impressed, not so far though.

Hi Tomato, yes I have tried this. I have had a reply from Moravian, via the UK dealer with respect to what LED lights should show when the filter wheel is homing. I'm not getting what is expected so it seems an expensive return to the manufacturers. I'm out of warranty, though I have not used the camera until very recently. An expensive camera and it would seem more to come before I have really used it beyond setting it up.

This is a bit of an esoteric question and I expect requires somebody with direct knowledge. I have a Moravian G2 3200 MkII camera and external Moravian EFW-2s MKII filter wheel. I had been trying to get the FW to work with The SkX pro using the 3rd party Sky X download which I wasn't able too. I have no decided to try and get it working first with Moravian 's own package SIPS. Okay I stared on a new PC. and from the Moravian download site I downloaded and installed for 64 bit 1) Sips ver 3.24. 64bit. 2) System driver files for Gx/Cx cameras for 32-bit and 64-bit Windows 10. 3) Program tools for Cx and Gx Cameras. I was able to select my camera on the Devices imaging camera tab. However it reported 0 filters. I was expecting 12 so I ran item (3) Program tools for Cx and Gx Cameras which showed 12 available. I ran this tool to write and confirm 12 filters. I still get 0 filters ?? can you help? This has driven me to distraction during the past few weeks . Here's hoping Eric

After 3 years I have finally completed my 4.2m x 3.6 m timber ROR observatory housing 3 telescopes, largest a 16" F:6 Newt. Reflector. which has seen first light a does well. The roof is heavy, but moves nicely on the pully double bearing wheel and track system I have. I would now like to automate the opening of the roof. Can anybody who has a tried and tested system recommend any the motor with associated track system and where to source. I've seen one system complete system at £1,300 plus. I'm sure this can be done cheaper. Initially, I'd be happy use the system manually, but ideally would like it computer controlled . Best wishes, Eric

I have a Skywatcher EQ8 mount I bought it new a year ago now from FLO and I'm in the process of setting it up at last. I wish to operate the mount directly from a PC and bypass the hand control and if possible leave the hand set unconnected to the mount. I also wish to control the mount via Astroart. I think I'm correct in believing that I can use Lynx Astro FTDI EQDIR USB Adapter for Sky-Watcher Mounts to plug directly into the mount and usb end into PC. Is this correct, if so where do I plug the other end - into the socket where the hand controller went? The adapter I refer to is: (https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-mount-accessories/lynx-astro-ftdi-eqdir-usb-adapter-for-sky-watcher-eq5-pro-heq5-syntrek-pro-az-eq5-gt-az-eq6-gt-and-eq8-mounts.htm) I would be grateful for some guidance and any uploads/updates I must carry out. I think the Astroart7 would recognise Ascom -skywatcher mount? Regards, Eric

Hi, does anybody have any working knowledge of the telescope control software Ricerca http://atcr.altervista.org/eng/ricerca.html I'm using the 60 day demo trial principally in standard mode for the SN detecting procedure to blink or subtract master galaxy images from new galaxy images. The online help is difficult to work through for setting up. Cheers, Eric

Hi Peter, thanks for your comments. I have spent the night working out the change in mirror separation due to thermal expansion/contraction. At F:20 I would also have the advantage of critical focus zone which is 1mm and it would take a temperature change of about 2.4 degree C at prime focus to span this zone. This will be ok to test the telescopes optics. Construction of a new OTA using carbon truss once I'm happy with the optics and configuration will improve these figures significantly. I'm hoping inquiries with Vacuum Coating who test mirrors to get me a radius of curvature of the secondary will go along way to answering my mirror separation, you may recall in the mid-80's you finished off a 16" F:6 Newtonian rotating tube for me, by visiting my home , a job passed on by Rob Miller before he left for the States. It never really got used. The mirror has now been placed into a carbon truss OTA and mounted onto a Paramount ME and the mirrors collimated. I'm waiting for it to clear up long enough to give it a first light try out. The mirrors were by Jon Owen. It will be used mostly for an automated super nova hunting with CCD. Regards, Eric

Hi Jeremy Andrew and Peter, The telescope came with its original AE B type mount. Looking through the Classical Cassegrain mirror formula I have come to realise that I should really try and find the radius of curvature for the secondary and then I will be theoretically working to the optimum. I can send the secondary off to get this measured. I have also this last night been working on how changes in temperature alter the focal position. I wish to see if it's worth changing the OTA to a truss design using carbon fiber tubes as opposed to the existing original aluminium. Once I get the CR value I will try out using a couple of pieces of software to get a suitable configuration. Hence also the need to know how far the focal point moves from prime focus with various projection methods. Part of the input will be the size of the FOV which I require as not vignetted. The telescope is unlikely to be used visually so I could get away with a smaller on to suite the size of imaging chips. I was thinking of perhaps 15mm or 10 arc mins. This together with back focus requirements may help in easing the configuration requirements. Eric

First posting and not sure if this is the best section. I have an AE classical Cassegrain 12" F:5/20 telescope for which I'm going to mount into a new truss tube once I do some initial testing with the existing original skeleton tube. I'm going to have the focal length of both primary and secondary measured and importantly the centre of radius of the primary mirror measured so that I am able to calculate the optimum spacing between the primary and secondary. The telescope is planned to be used for high resolution lunar and planetary imaging. My question: Thinking ahead I will have to choose a suitable focuser, its positioning and allow for changes in focusing positions when using with Barlow/Powermate eyepiece projection. So I need to know ; 1. with these optical additions is focus movement inwards or outwards, 2. what lengths would these movements be in general. I'd also be interested to get in touch with anybody who has one of the AE classical Cassegrains. Many thanks, Eric