ian_bird

On the other hand - if you are using a 3nm Ha filter - longer exposures are your friend indeed!

These may help.

If the stars look like this you are too close:

If they look like this you are too far:

Good luck.

Ian

Edit. Sorry - just noticed you said Coma Corrector. The examples above are for a Flattener.

So basically - just ignore me! 😉

"I am it. If a count were taken, the score would be three billion plus two over on the other side of the moon, and one plus God only knows what on this side"

RIP Michael Collins.

Plus one for the WO one Vlaiv suggested. I also have it. Top notch.

On 19/03/2021 at 00:11, philhilo said:

Would the problem be resolved by a bigger Losmandy style dovetail and a matching replacement saddle for the mount?

I would say yes. You need everything to be as rigid as possible. And the Vixen rails wobble - badly.

I stuck a Losmandy saddle on my old CG-5 mount and was churning out 30 minute subs quite happily. Though that was using a 3nm Ha filter - which is a bit forgiving.

Cheers.

Ian

Double post. Sorry.

3 hours ago, ollypenrice said:

I had a group of highly experienced imagers from the south of England who struggled to find Polaris at our dark site precisely because it wasn't 'all on its own!'

Guilty as charged. At Olly's place I took one look up at the dark sky (my first look after Monique's sumptuous meal)  and basically panicked. I don't think I have ever seen so many stars!

"Olly!" I hollered. "Help!!!".

Fortunately Olly is a jolly nice chap and is more than happy to help neophytes find their feet. And Polaris.

As I recall - we held a laser pointer against the mount rail* - and Olly Eyeballed it.

Given that we ended up with an incredible Andromeda Galaxy for our efforts (OK - Olly's efforts) - I would call that a win.

* not recommended in the UK or anywhere there might be low flying aircraft.

2 hours ago, ollypenrice said:

Yes, mine was a 2 panel with a full frame CCD at 530mm FL.

I remember us sitting down and planning that 2 panel mosaic in your cave! We hung the mosaic off of the blue star at the top.

You wanted M31 to be horizontal. I wanted a slight slope.

Luckily - I won! (In my opinion!)

Happy days!

Best Regards

Ian

On 09/08/2020 at 20:07, Paul M said:

Need an atlas of M31 to take the full tour (which I'm googling right now)!

Try this...

http://www.grinderphoto.se/images/m-31-2x2-mosaic.html

From the talented Jonas!

Cheers

Ian

Hopefully it's just a link/glich issue.

But remember - the cloud just means "someone else's computers".

Using the cloud as your prime backup is just "asking for it". Hopefully in this case you didn't just "get it".

Fingers crossed.

NB - IT Professional working on Databases for large Multi-National Companies - so I know a little bit about what I am talking about.

The Canon 10x42 L Image Stabilized Binoculars are a) extremely expensive, and b) utterly stunning.

When you turn the IS on - it's like you just clamped the bins to a tripod!

 They get ten times more use than my old (non IS) Nikons ever did. Just because of the IS.

I would really recommend finding a dealer near you that sells them - and going there and giving them a try.

When you do - you will understand why there are a number of Astronomers with one kidney and a pair of Canon 10x42 L Image Stabilized Binoculars! 😉

They really are that good.

2 minutes ago, JamesF said:

Wasn't specifically directed at you, Ian.  Our posts crossed, in fact.

James

You had a good point. A very good point. I appreciated you drawing it to my attention.

Cheers.

Ian

3 minutes ago, JamesF said:

I do appreciate your position, honestly.  The problem is that as much as they want to help, people aren't usually going to want to suggest on a public forum that you do something that wouldn't be considered safe.  There is no real definition of "safe" where electricity is concerned other than complying with the relevant regs.  And that's what makes it more complicated because the regs demand certain requirements are met when you have mains electricity next to a big fat earthed conductor, especially when it's some distance from your house.

James

James

Good point. I have redacted my post.

Thank you.

Regards

Ian

Redacted.
 

There is a lot easier way to do all of this. It has worked for me for the past 15 years.

Hi

Still available here:

https://github.com/fermigas/ltvt/wiki/LTVT Download#FullDownload

Cheers.

Ian

Does jumping out of aircraft count?

You do get to fly about a bit at the end. Hopefully.

Cheers.

Ian

Nice Olly. Very, very nice. As always.

And with the image capture details missing from your Farcebook post.

Thanks.

Ian

I run two lengths of this (cut to size) from my shed to the mount, and run cables inside:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B008L1AO2Y/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

One for Power, the other for USB. So I can keep the mount cabled up, and provide power for the heated puppy pads.

Cheers.

Ian

Hi

I use a Heavy Duty Tarpaulin from B&Q. It's Blue on one side and silver on the other side. So I have it silver side out. A liberal application of Gorilla Tape (great stuff!) to turn it into a vaguely tube like shape. A decent mount cover underneath, heated puppy pads under that and you are good to go.

Mine's been out there for 10 years. Mount head, OTAs, Cameras, Filterwheels, electronics (in a waterproof box) - the whole lot. Whip the covers off and I'm up and running.

Cheers.

Ian

Hi Olly

Two questions regarding Ralf Ottow and his binosaur.

1) How does he get enough backfocus to bring the light beams from two C11s together into your eyes? Does he re-shape the secondary? Or re-shape your head?

2) This is most important. Do you have his telephone number?

Cheers.

Ian

PS - Give my love to Monique. I still make the salad she taught me how to make. I had one last night in fact.

Ah. My mistake. I should have known better.

'binosaur'. Now there's a name and a half! Two C11s were a Test!

Blimey.

So the full sized binosauras was two 40cm OTAs? Surely a man of such talent could come up with a waist holster for them. And probably the bionic arms you would need to hand hold them. Although thinking about it, possibly outside of his field of expertise.

Glad to hear that the French at least know it's "a trouser". But, as you say, a bit unsporting of them on the payment terms. Have they no sense of history?

30 days payment terms*? A mere piffle. 30 years sounds about right to me. I'm sure my son will not object to settling up my tailor's bill as part of his duties as my executor.

People these days! It's all "Now, now, now".

Cheers.

Ian

* One rather suspects that Decathlon's payment terms are measured in seconds, not days. 

Hi Olly

Was it Ralf Ottow who made a pair of binoculars* out of two spare 6" SCTs?

And the same guy who collimated a scope based on the sunlight between two tree trunks on the far side of the valley?

I'm guessing it probably is. I mean - how many optical geniuses do you know?

Cheers.

Ian

* Why do we say a "pair of binoculars"? Or a "pair of trousers" come to that. Although I think the latter comes from the fact that you used to get one jacket and two trousers from one's tailor in the olden days. In return you had to ignore the tailor's bill long enough for his** grandson*** to collect.

** Very few female tailors in the olden days.

*** It took a lot longer than two generations to change that.

+1 for Puppy Pads. I have three, plus a thermostatic controller.

I have had my Mount, OTAs and Cameras out there for 10 plus years.

Works a treat.

Set up time? 5 minutes tops.

Cheers

Ian