Merlin66

I have most of the available catalogues installed.... The "Lookup" Search function gives all the hits. Let me know if you need more help.

I use Firecapture/ AS3!/ Imppg/ PIPP for solar imaging with the ASI 174 and ASI 1600. The only program I've found that does CMOS software binning is PIPP. Run the initial SER video through PIPP with the binning settings required (2x2, 3x3, 4x4) and save the output as a SER file. This can then be imported to AS3! etc for subsequent processing.

First day without cloud or gale force winds for a while..... Not much in the way of surface activity..faint small filaments. One pretty large and interesting prom down in the south west. (I'm happy that I also managed to pick it up in CaK)

Fabio has released his latest update to Astroart. His continued support of the amateur community is appreciated. Hello everybody, a new minor version of Astroart is available: http://www.msb-astroart.com/ Version 7.0 SP5 - September 3, 2020 ------------------------------- * New feature. Full-frame autoguide for spectrographs. * New feature. Several options for active optics. * New feature. Airmass can be saved in the FITS header. * New feature. Option for "software binning" 2x2 for all cameras. * Improved. Star atlas icons are arranged on three rows when needed. * Improved. Script commands for selected points. * Improved. Script commands for rectangles and masks. * Bug fix. Script command PasteText did not work. * Bug fix. GIF animations did not loop in browsers. * Bug fix. Star atlas showed a wrong telescope position if JNow enabled. * Bug fix. Full-frame autoguide on multiple stars failed if bad polar alignment. * Bug fix. Option "Copy missing borders" did not work with rotated images. * Bug fix. Windows of telescope and focuser misplaced if multiple monitors. The multi-star autoguide is now available for "guiding on slit", for spectrographs. About the AOs, there are new features

Vlaiv, I'll try to get a scan of the E&V pages for you. My interest is solar images (Ha, CaK and white light) we normally use Firecapture to record a SER video of up to 2000 frames. The focal ratio used is roughly based on the Nyquist but tempered by local seeing conditions. AS3! is used to "quality sort" and select say the "best" 30% of the frames (lucky imaging) which are then stacked as a 16bit TIFF file. Subsequent processing (Registax6 or ImPPG) to tweak the image using wavelets/ L-R convolution. I can't see, at the moment, how to include the CMOS software binning in our workflow. I have some raw SER files, which I can look at in PIPP......... (Measuring a recent image, taken in H alpha, with the SM60DS/ ED80/ x1.65 barlow (efr = 12.4) gave 0.79 arcsec/ pixel on the ASI 1600MM (3.8 micron pixel))

Once you have the mount properly aligned, mark the position of the tripod feet. Next time out just place the feet on your markers, you'll be very close to having alignment. I use a patio chair cover for my HEQ5 mount. Left out in all weather.

Vlaiv, Eversberg and Vollmann "Spectroscopic Instrumentation", pages 72 - 83 discuss at some great length the "optimum" sampling rate. Definitely not the Nyquist x2. They conclude by recommending around 3 to adequately sample. The chip size of the ASI 290 is small 5.6 x 3.2 mm Which AVI processing software would you recommend/ suggest?

The main telescope is set up for spectroscopy. The solar scopes H alpha, CaK and white light need focus motors to allow me to work inside the office. The motor is belt driven to the 10:1 knob for fine control.

Ed, yes, no powermate needed with the Quark. The ASI 290 has very small pixels 2.9 micron, not an ideal solution for the Quark. This camera would be best around in a system f12 to f15.

the 6" Dobsonian you mention doesn't need a tripod or anything extra. The base of the telescope mount just sits on the ground. Alt-Az means the motions of the mount are up and down and around - like an old cannon! Very simple, rugged and straight forward.

Ed, Sounds about right... If you use the Quark, with the built-in x4 barlow on an ED80 at f7.5 (=f30) you are over sampling, but if your conditions are good, get maximum resolution. If you use a 80mm f6 scope then you need as you say a 3.5 - 4x barlow for "maximum resolution" The local seeing may limit you.......

RJ9 connector. I have fitted these motors to all my solar scopes. ShoeString astronomy have a PC interface FCUSB http://www.store.shoestringastronomy.com/products_fc.htm I use this to "semi-remotely" control the focus motor. Never tried it but it should be recognised as a focus motor by other ASCOM programs. For the "local" scopes I just use a 5mtr phone extension cable fitted with RJ9 connectors between the handcontroller and the focus motor. Quote" You have many choices on software to use with your FCUSB. You can use any third-party software that supports the ASCOM Focuser standard, or you can use FocusPal from Shoestring Astronomy. Unquote"

Nigella, Did you use SER capture with FireCapture??

This thread is years old.... but it shows the problem of NR continues. Sometimes tilting helps, sometimes plastic bags work, adding an optical wedge sometimes help, the problem continues. The NR are caused by etalon type interference in the cover plate of the sensor chip. As this cover plate cannot be removed or changed the only option we have is to tilt the cover plate to change the spacing of the fringes. some cameras are worse than others. The ASI 174mm and ASI 1600mm I use both suffer from NR when used with effective focal ratio >f10. such is life.

Sorry mate, the H alpha view of the Sun require a very sophisticated, very narrowband H alpha to see the detail. Any mixture of other filters will not allow the viewing of the Sun in safe H alpha. Unfortunately that’s why the solar scopes are so expensive.

I also have the ASI 174mm and an ASI 1600MM which I use for solar imaging. I find the plate scale (0.7 arcsec/ pixel) with the ASI 1600 suits my SM60/ ED80 set-up. It works well for me. (The larger chip allows full disk imaging)

Just a note: I also use the Baader Hyperion x 2.25 barlow. https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p5059_Baader-Hyperion-2-25x-Barlow-lens-w--1-25--and-T2-connection.html The compact arrangement work well with the ED80 I use for solar imaging.

The rubber covers can be replaced with a series of suitable O rings - looks pretty good.

Den, Well done mate! As you say, preparing an animation is a labour of love. (You could use CORONO to suppress the disk http://sweiller.free.fr/Softwares/Corono/corono.html ) The filaments (prominences when viewed at the edge of the Sun) are driven by the solar magnetic field, the corona rain effect is gravity taking over. Some prominences can be 100-600,000 Km long, and 5,000 to 10,000 thick at heights of 50,000 Km and more above the photosphere. They can have lifetimes of weeks/ months.

Yeah, but look at the position - your eyepiece or camera would have to be 100mm behind the lens. In "normal" imaging use, the T thread adaptor holds the camera sensor much closer than that.

I had all the Powermates at one stage.... If you use the recommended T thread adaptors then you'll get x2.5 from the 1.25" and x2 from the 2" Over the years I've found that the x2.5 was the winner for me. It does what I need in the seeing conditions I have. I regularly image the Sun. With the x2.5 the solar image is just slightly larger than my ASI 1600 frame using the ED80 (80/600) As a worthwhile, long term "investment" I'd recommend the x2.5 Powermate.

Rusty, If the site setting is ok, then the ASCOM model for the telescope must be introducing the difference.

Hmmm, you can’t use the Continuum filter with the Quark H alpha. The narrowband wavelengths don’t match. A UV-IR filter is more appropriate.

Suggestion.. One power brick for the mount say 5A or 10A and fit a 120w car convertor 12V -15V setting. This gives a target 15V at the HEQ5 mount and also maintains >12V. No more flashing red light issues. Use a second independent brick for the cameras (no need for the additional convertor) and finally a third brick if you use dew heaters etc. I use a 10A set-up for my mount (NEQ6pro) to run everything (no dew straps) - no issues.

Sounds like an ASCOM problem. Try a ASCOM simulator and see if that works?