bomberbaz

On 01/08/2024 at 19:23, Elp said:

I had a suspicion focusing wasn't as simple for your application and it turns out this is the case, you have to focus for different spectra I believe which isn't necessarily at the same point as crisp AP star focus. 

Yes you're spot on there. Focusing is done on the spectrum itself and it can vary between say an A type star to an M class quite a bit.

For anyone else picking up on this thread and how I am getting around things, here is where I am up to.

Teamviewer app is available for free so my base station can be used to control the laptop in garden controlling the mount and cameras. It seems very stable and very easy to use.

After downloading the various ascom drivers I have the cameras and mount connected up to sharpcap and responding to commands although I need to put in some work figuring out how to use sharpcap properly.

I can actually use the ASI Air as a power hub saving buying new power supplies and if needs be can also use it with the ZWO EAF for manual focusing although this adds another layer to what isn't a simple process to begin with.

However the Air app is wifi anyway so isn't too much of an issue (see below)

Have not found a way to operate the EAF manually via sharpcap, this is important. Therefore the use of the ASI Air app is a useful fallback if needed although would prefer control all via sharpcap.

I will try out polar alignment via sharpcap but again I could use the Air for this then simply switch 2 usb cables into the laptop after alignment.

Finally need to relearn live video streaming direct to RSpec for focusing but seem to remember that was pretty basic.

So you can see I have made quite a bit of headway. There are workarounds to any potential issues although I would prefer total control of all processes with sharpcap but a fallback combination of sharpcap and ASI Air being an option albeit a little heath robinson.

EDIT: Figured manual focus control so that is much better.

Cheers for all suggestions.

Steve

3 hours ago, Elp said:

Think this is your answer taken from their website:

"RSpec works seamlessly with SharpCap and other camera control programs."

Yes I noticed this and given I have already some familiarity with it, I am also considering this.

I have already found a simple upgrade to W11 pro is all I need on the laptop to enable remote desktop so just deciding what operating programme (sharpcap, NINA, A.N Other) I want to go with.

There is also a strong [possibility that I will not need a USB hub due to the ZWO pro camera having two additional usb 2 ports but I am not that far in as yet.

Thanks

Steve

On 30/07/2024 at 18:49, Elp said:

I have suggested in another recent one of OPs threads to use an EAF. If you can't achieve near perfect focus with that, I don't know what else to suggest.

The workflow they're doing might be different from standard AP.

But yes, still all controllable via wifi with just the air (zwo EAF needed though).

 

On 30/07/2024 at 18:30, carastro said:

Pretty sure I know some-one who uses ASIAir and controls it from indoors over a WIFI connection.  

Thanks guys but the ability to run a live video through the Rspec programme is what is required so focusing can be on on the fly, without this focusing becomes very clunky. I should have been clear about this but thanks for the posts.

On 31/07/2024 at 07:58, Fegato said:

I guess everyone will say something slightly different works for them. For what it's worth, my recommendations would be:

Long USB runs regularly cause issues for people. For anything other than video / planetary, I would recommend forcing to USB 2 (use a USB2 cable somewhere) and keep runs as short as possible. Use quality cables. Even then, with just a 5m run and hubs at both ends, I still had dropouts. 

So better still - put a mini PC at the mount, and then access from indoors via Remote Desktop if you can. I use a Mele Quieter 4C connected back to my router with an ethernet cable. Works a treat.

Software - I would strongly recommend NINA. Free, under continuous development, with support available via DIscord. I do use Sharpcap for one or two of the tools it provides, but not for my main imaging. 

Now there are some ideas on here I think I will play around with in my head before I settle on anything.

A useful idea to me would be using my existing imaging laptop outdoors to capture whilst remote desktopping it with my powerfull PC. You may have given me what I thinkk I need. 

I will first spend some time looking into NINA then see where we go from there.

cheers all

Steve

Ok so here goes, I currently image with a ASI Air but want to use said rig for spectroscopy also. For those who have never tried this focusing is critical, more so I would say than when imaging.  So I need to be able to run live video, focus and analyse all at the same time.

Much as Tom ( field test solutions) and I have tried we cannot figure a workaround when using the AIR+, so have decided to look into controlling via laptop and hopefully a USB3 jumper ext cable so I can do this inside my nice warm home.

Anyway, the latter part is not that relevant, I need advice on what hardware and software I am missing and/or needs updating.

I use an HEM 15 mount and ZWO 120 mini for guiding, 183MM main and have a decent mid/high range laptop running windows 11 with sharpcap installed (happy to get pro again, my licence expired a few months back)

So my question is, what else do I need to get it all running and tracking.  (EG, hubs, cable, software etc)

TIA, steve

8 hours ago, StevieDvd said:

Depending on which AsiAir you have, and how you connect to it,  there may be an option to access the (saved) files remotely on your laptop.  Would that be an acceptable method?

For example https://www.zwoastro.com/2019/08/16/asiair-guide-3-ways-to-import-images-from-asiair/

 

Doing the wifi is my current method, it works but is slow and time consuming as each file needs to be downloaded and analysed.

Actually now considering using sharpcap to do the controlling and guiding and removing the asi air out of the equation for spectroscopy only. Downside is I have no idea what I need to do to set it all up! Everyday is a school day eh!

5 hours ago, Elp said:

Have you tried using a tablet with the asiair app and using the focus routine in the air?

won't work mate, I still need instant access to files to analyse focus.  I actually had an idea that maybe just disconnecting the USB 3 cable from camera and using one from the laptop (via sharpcap) once polar aligning is complete would work but it is all a little bit heath robinson.

Think I need to speak with some other spectroscopy guys for some ideas!

Maybe I am missing something but not sure. I want to be able to run a live view through my laptop to get best focus when carrying out spectroscopy.  After that would be happy reverting to normal mode usage.

Currently it is a long winded effort each time trying to achieve prime focus as I am having to download fit files, test focus, retake image and retest sometimes taking as much time as I manage in actual imaging. Live view would take seconds to adjust and would really improve my results too.

Has anyone else managed to do something similar irrespective of what you are doing it for, just managed to run main scope images into a laptop direct!

Cheers

Steve

21 hours ago, Horrashelt said:

Hi! Do you happen to know if it's possible to use the ASI Air app on macOS?

I don't no, you would need a compatibility programme to allow sideways loading of the ASI app.

There are a list of answers on the link below, seems there is a possibility but I didn't go in depth.

can you side load android apps to MAC OS uk - Google Search

Steve

It's an archive broadcast but excellent which goes from the start of the space race through to Armstrong taking the monumental first steps. 

I listened on my long journey back to Lancs from Norfolk, made an hours worth of the drive very pleasurable and humorous in the right places.

Link here:

BBC Radio 4 - Archive on 4, James Burke: Our Man on the Moon

Has anyone gone and lit the fuse yet, for those oldies thaat remember this is like waiting for your dad on bonfire night!

13 minutes ago, Paul M said:

It isn't entirely lost on me that my Allsky camera is, perhaps, well suited to recording the brightening of T CrB. The overnight timelapse could potentially capture the main event if the timing is right, not to mention the weather!

 

Definitely make sure it is in your sky area of interest Paul.  I have no doubt that if you manage to capture the eruption it will be of some scientific interest to some organisations. 

I accidentally deleted my spectroscopic image of the red giant that surrounds the white dwarf. It was very dim and to get a spectrum using lo-spec grating and a 150 quattro required binning which is not generally recommended for spectroscopy but I am very much looking forward to the WD going boom

If I get chance I am going to grab some new (pre-boom) data and will happily post up my results for anyone interested.  

An FYI it has actually DIMMED as part of it's pre-eruption cycle and according to AVVSO this is higher than previously recorded. Maybe improved equipment and recording methods!  A lot of the stuff gets involved and starts to go above my head if I am honest.  Link below, worth a read.

Announcing T CrB pre-eruption dip | aavso

EDIT, sorry only just realised Nik has already posted link, sorry.

Anyway, currently ~ mag 10 but will be around the same (or brighter maybe) than polaris upon the WD erupting.

Light the fuse and stand well back.

Steve

decent effort of a seemingly difficult object with very little data.

well done

steve

13 hours ago, skybadger said:

Hi bomber

Appreciate the info on setting up the Air but not much there on the actual spectroscopy. 

What kit are you using ?

What are you using to guide ?

How are you getting initial pointing and then fine alignment to put the star on the slit ?

 

Cheers

 

Mike

 

Yeah sorry should have been specific. I am using a simple SA100 and as such only learning. I doubt very much I would be using an AIR if I was using a slit.

Using a Ioptron HEM15 with a quattro 150p F4 coupled to a ZWO133mm. The guiding done via the AIR and a 60mm sVbony guide and basic ZWO 120mm guide.

It is a relatively primitive setup for spectroscopy. However I am trying to get across to would be spectroscopy users that an initial outlay to start isn't as expensive or complicated as it could be so existing gear can be used and in this instance, streamlined to a users needs.

Cheers

Steve

Hello and I am pointing to the installation guide I have already posted in spectroscopy section. 

There will be parts of this that are not relevant to most users but you can ignore those parts, the overall installation guide is still the same.

Installing AIR to PC guide

I decided to write this as it is worth knowing if you use the AIR but like I was doing until recently control it via a tablet and check files with rspec on a pc/laptop.

This just cuts down on having to use two machine and makes a process more streamlined and easier to follow. It is especially useful when achieving a prime focus.

A note here, I have a range extender which I pop into back garden when using my rig so after PA is complete, I come back into my front room and sit in the warmth with a strong signal and away I go. Another FYI I have the ZWO autofocuser installed so again I can do this from my living room.  It was focusing that pushed me into doing this. Alas I haven't been able to find away to have a live video running when using the AIR for focusing but if I find one I shall update this.

Moving on, someone has already created a workflow for installing "Microsoft windows subsystem for android and ASI App" and the link is below. However before you charge ahead and get installing, please read my notes below as some of them are critical to your installation and it may fail if not taken note of.

Installing ASIAIR Android App on a PC – Star-Gazing

There are 3 files that you need to download, if like me you use onedrive or similar file sharing system, do not place these files into a shared folder, place them into a folder on your C drive and add shortcuts to your task bar (see pictures) for the subsystem and ASI App. The installation fails when using onedrive, so I would think it would do with others eg dropbox. It would seem the install doesn't like networked folders.

Once you have installed the software, you should map a drive to the ASI Air preview folder, link here:   Map a network drive in Windows - Microsoft Support  When it asks for  a folder or browse, the address to put in the Folder box is  \\asiair\EMMC Images\Preview    You also put this address into the rspec "Folder on your hard drive for auto-open to monitor" (see pictures). 

You are now nearly ready to go. When you switch on the air and your pc/lap top you just follow these very simple steps.

Let the AIR load, start laptop and connect to the ASI Air network. Then first launch the windows subsystem for android then the ASI App and that's it, you should be connected and everything is available on one machine.

Last point of note. Auto-open new files isn't working on my rspec setup, I don't know why. Tom Field and I put our heads together and we couldn't figure out why. It might work for you and it might be peculiar to me but just in case you get the error message below, at least you are aware and simply open manually, it isn't a big deal.  As long as the rspec "Image File>Open" is pointing to the ASI Air "preview folder, which is the same address as already used above "\\asiair\EMMC Images\Preview" your files are immediately accessible.  There is a slight delay whilst the file downloads from AIR to rspec but it is minimal.

I hope this is useful to anyone using the Air as I am.

Steve

Documentaary starting on BBC2 about the JWST now

3 hours ago, AstroNebulee said:

Thank you, I will have try and find it somewhere on catch up to watch. 

Hope your ok. 

Clear skies 

Lee 

The link above sh0uld work lee

I must have missed this when it originally came out in 2009. Anyway it was on Dave earlier and have to say I found it incredibly intersting and at times quite emotional. Very worth the watch.

James May on the Moon 2009 Pt 01 - video Dailymotion

I would go for a zoom but use it with the hyperion 24mm as your next eyepiece. Baader Hyperion Zoom Eyepiece | First Light Optics

Something I notice no one has asked, are you using a bog standard diagonal or a dielectric version.  Personally I found the dielectric versions offer a much cleaner image on planets and marginally brighter response, especially on dimmer objects. 

Something to consider.

Steve

7 hours ago, Thalestris24 said:

Hi Ags! Yeah both of those were mentioned above. The thing is I've already got so much equipment and I don't really want to add even more to the pile! I'm only in a 1 bed flat so don't have a lot of room. I really want to be able to use the eq3 pro (pictured above) which I can just about manage to carry. Having said that, I'll have to try and see if I can carry it down the stairs and back up again,,, If that's ok, and as I said, I think I might try the Synscan wifi first and see how I get on and if I can get reliable wifi communication ok.

Louise

have a spring clean out sale Louise, but first spend sone time figuring exactly what you want then gear yourself around it, I will give you my pre-requisites that led to my choices.

• Lightweight overall
• Able to carry good payload mount (without counterweights, refer to point one) and also lightweight itself (only 5kg)
• Reasonable aperture (150) and suitable for suitable for spectroscopy
• All in one system able to operate via tablet/phone
• Simple to operate

I am no expert, anything but however my setup allows me to do what would be unthinkable a few years back, especially to a novice such as I. Given what you say, I feel points one and two above should be of particular interest to yourself. Not sure about the rest but that was important to me.

Oh and my powertank is Lithium/Ion type, much better in cold weather and no charge memory issues.

Cheers

Steve

20 hours ago, Thalestris24 said:

The pic helps! But what mount is that? How does it work? It looks a big load on something small...

 

It's a HEM15 louise, very capable little mount which carries quite a good weight with no need for counterweights. iOptron HEM15 Hybrid Harmonic Drive Equatorial GoTo Mount (without iPolar) | First Light Optics The lack of needing a counterweight up to 8kg I think is one of the things that really attracted me to it, Down side, pricey compared to eg EQ3 but it suits my purposes.

16 minutes ago, Thalestris24 said:

Hi Gazers!

After quite a long hiatus, I may be back in the game! Having settled in a new (to me) flat I'm looking at possibilities for astro imaging again (I miss it!). Unfortunately, I'm still on the second floor, now have double glazing, and am even nearer to the brightly lit city centre, as well as having lots of local artificial light   On the plus side, there's a possibility of carrying my EQ3 Pro downstairs and it might be possible to set up at the back of the flats.  I won't know until I try, and that will only happen if there's ever a clear night! I'd still only have a limited view of the sky which would be roughly WNW to nearly North. Again, on the plus side, I'd be able to see most of the Meridian/Zenith. On the downside, no Horizon - buildings all around. So not ideal, but at least it would be outside. I don't know if I'll actually be able to see Cassiopeia / the pole star - I'll probably still be limited to brighter stars cos of the light pollution. Next time it's clear I'll pop out and have a look and see what I can see. So Polar aligning may be a problem though it never stopped me before! 

Sooo... I'm thinking in terms of setting up standalone i.e. with a dslr/without a computer or, maybe, remotely via wifi. I think the mount would be in the region of 35-50 feet away from my living room or could be a bit closer from the kitchen I've looked at the Synscan wifi module - could work, but I'm not sure about running up and down the stairs to keep an eye on things. Any thoughts on that? Also looked at the Staraid Revolution B. On the face of it, it would do a lot of the functions I'd need - albeit at a price! Might be worth it, though. Not sure what view of the sky it needs - anyone know, had experience? I'd also need a lightweight battery. I've powered the EQ3 with a Chinese DC1298a '9800mAh' battery before. I still have a couple of but not sure whether they can still hold a decent charge. One seemed to charge ok, the other charged a bit too quick... I'll try them out when I get a minute. They are only about 250g each and were quite cheap when I bought them in 2014/15, but they're a lot more expensive now... So I could be looking for an alternative lightweight, but hopefully rugged, 12V battery   This mobility scooter battery is only 1.5kg and looks like it would last longer than me! https://ecotreelithium.co.uk/product/12v-12ah/ Thoughts?

Thanks for any responses

Louise

I use one of these Celestron Lithium 13.2 Ah LiFePO4 Powertank Pro | First Light Optics not cheap but holds a lot of juice and is reasonably lightweight at 2kg.

I am now using a 150p quattro, hem15 atop a skywatcher tripod Sky-Watcher Tripod for Star Adventurer | First Light Optics with asi air and ZWO cameras and can carry the whole set up out as one. Not sure I would like to carry it all downstairs though.

The tripod is very light so I put the powerbank on the utility tray to add stability.  Using this setup I track circa 0.6-0.8.

Not sure whether any of this is suitable to your needs but there as an idea.

To me it looks like it could possibly be gas (HB and OIII spring to mind) that has been blown off during the merger and left behind as the merging galaxies have moved away from it. 

A lot of imaging programmes remove excessive green noise and this would point to why it hasn't been picked up before.

Was this done under dark skies or were you subject to LP at the location?

I would try gathering data again from another location and see if you can recreate this phenomena. If it is recreated with the same amount of data and processing techniques, you may have discovered a new nebula! 

Available on BBC Iplayer, might also be on youtube.

Just watched it and frankly the technology that went into this project is mind boggling, a stupendous collaboration of teams and countries together and incredible technology. AAA* 

Think it might be a rerun, still worth a watch again.

BBC Four - How to See a Black Hole: The Universe's Greatest Mystery