Ozone

Thanks for the info, everyone.

I went back to trying the asi224mc, and bingo! Seems like everything is working ok now. I see why they made PhD2 more complicated. After adjusting some of the binning settings and running the wizard (backlash routine) it seems to hold the star. They seem out of focus, though, look like a flame in the asi. (furthest object I can focus on during the day is only 3-500 ft away.) Yes I adjusted focus for star with a bahtinov. May just be the asi is not centered perfectly, or needs to be back further from the pick off prism, but I have no more outward travel on the OAG for the guide camera.

I had tried on camera last night (computer to guide cam, guide cam st4 to mount). Didn't seem like PhD2 was actually holding the guide star. May have been due to slight breeze off and on, or poor alignment. Going to make sure everything is square and level tonight if I get a chance.

Would I be able to use an st4usb adapter with this setup? Using the ascom platform and appropriate cables? Guide Camera to computer USB, computer USB to st4 adapter, st4 to mount?

Thanks for the help. I switched to my starshoot autoguider and had a lot better luck. I still have one problem (may have been my alignment, or slight breeze). On PhD2, there is the connection box camera, mount, etc. Which one do I choose for mount? On-camera, GPINT 278, 378, 3BC, GPUSB, INDI mount, On-AO? (May just be old school, but they seem to have made phd more complicated than necessary 😊) I found a post that says use on camera, but I may have my asi st4 cable mixed up with the one for the starshoot, would that matter??

First off, thanks for the help. Maybe I will use my Orion starshoot autoguider. It's one of the originals (maybe had it for 10 years?). The only problem is PhD2 asks me the unbinned pixel size in microns? I know the chip is larger and mono. Does anyone know where I can find that info or old files?

I'm sure this has been beat to death, but I have a Celestron C8, OAG (93648) Canon T2i and an ASI224MC. I am trying to get this all to work together. I set everything up as according to the manual for the OAG, but I am having trouble with the guide camera and phd2. I'm not even sure if I have the ASI in or out far enough and it doesn't seem to be sending commands to the mount (Atlas). They have updated PHD2 since the last time I used it, whole new interface. Anyone else have a similar set up? If so, which settings do I need? 

I do have the reducer. Thanks for the help.

Will this work with the 1.25" focuser on my Sct 8" or is there a better one? I already have the Orion autoguide camera and a ZWO ASI 224MC camera that can be used to guide for my Canon t2i.

https://www.highpointscientific.com/telescope-accessories/astro-photography/auto-guiders/celestron-off-axis-guider-93648 thanks in advance!

Can this work? If so anyone done it and know the spacings? I would be using a cabin t2i and Orion autoguider, or ASI224mc

I have uploaded three images of Jupiter that the original video was shot 07/10/19 using 150mm Mak on my atlas mount with asi224mc and firecapture.

Processed in AS3. I than put the original unsharpened image from AS3 into Pixinsight and followed the directions in the video. I only did the Sample format conversion, and used his restoration filter settings. which should be my 3rd image. What I want to know, is what causes the halo I am getting? I always seem to get this from the restoration filter, no matter what settings I try. I have even done some of my older DSLR vids and still get this! I am also using his AS settings.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T61fpCwwB1w

Any point to using PIPP with an asi224mc since firecapture has autoguide  with region of interest anymore?

I tend to overdo my processing sometimes on the moon, and I would like an opinion here. Same two exact images processed in PI. Steps I took were:

1. Sample format conversion. 

2. Either wavelets or restoration filter.

3. Unsharp mask.

4. TGV Denoise.

Which looks better? Wavelet pic or the restoration?

Thanks.

Thanks, I will have to try this. Been using AS3 and then processing in pixinsight.

Anyone heard of any free stacking software that is better/newer than Autostakkert3 for planets/lunar?

Can someone recommend a good tutorial on the firecapture settings on the equipment above? This is a new scope. I was using a 6" mak and reflector. The settings that seemed to work before not so much. I seem to be getting noisey pictures that even after processing they are either slightly blurry or grainy after AS3 and pixinsight. Maybe just upload your firecapture log file? Thanks.

I have a Celestron C8 A SCT. How would I mount my Orion 80mm guidescope to it? The scope has the wide vixen?  Style dovetail. No rings. Thanks for the help.

I have a new Celestron c8 and I need a few shield. I already have owned an astrozap flexible for a 6". Do they make one that has the notch for a Celestron dovetail? Just looking for something inexpensive. I already have dew heaters. 

I apologize in advance for the weather😉. I just received my new Celestron C8-A SCT! So thanks for all the help. Now I just have to wait for, I don't know how long for the rain that came with it to go away.

I do have a question about the Celestron dovetail bar. What is the knob for?

Question about apeture and astrophotography. I currently have an Orion 150mm mak. I am planning on getting a c8 or c9.25. would I see improvement for planetary photography going from the the 6" mak to the 8" Cass? Is the extra $400 between the 8" and 9.25" worth it for photos? Thanks.

https://www.highpointscientific.com/telescopes/catadioptric-telescopes/celestron-c8-a-sct-aluminum-optical-tube-with-cge-dovetail-91024-xlt

https://www.highpointscientific.com/telescopes/celestron-c9-25-sct-aluminum-optical-tube-with-cg-5-dovetail-91025-xlt

I have a 12" dob that has been in storage for a while. Even though it was capped and shower cap over the bottom mirror it's still dusty. I have pec pads, squeeze blower and eclipse optic cleaning fluid. Can anyone point me to a link or video on how to safely do this? Thanks.

I think I had read somewhere that doing close up moon imaging during or around a full moon was a waste of time because of the brightness?? I do know about adjusting gain or iso etc. Tried to search the forum, but wasn't sure how to word it.

Thanks guys. Knobbv, if you look the top image just needs to be a little more defined between the bands. Hope your "bit" is enough🙂. Now to see if I can talk the boss into the ADC and/or Baader filter.

Yes. I started at dark. Put everything away about 1-2 am. If it wasn't equalized by that time, I don't think it ever will.🤗

Hopefully this helps some people out with there Atlas or similar GEM mounts. Found this on cloudy nights forum. (These are from the Astronomy Shed YouTube channel)

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

Part 4:

Part 5:

Also a video explaining how to update the synscan firmware. It is good idea to do it: