PhotoGav

Hi Zak, sorry, only just seen this message - you should direct message me for a swift reply! I attached the QSI to the M48 thread of the WO Star 71 via a slim adapter of some sort. I can't remember the exact details as it's been a while since I've used that scope, but I certainly didn't use a 2" nose piece. Good luck, Gav.

Michael, that there is sufficient justification for a fully remote operable observatory! Last night was indeed finally crisp and clear (at least until 2am!), but it was my daughter’s school play (Annie, my daughter was in the orphan chorus, lovely production!). The show started at 7pm, but my observatory was up and running and I monitored it on my iPhone during the interval! We were home at about 10:30pm. Over three hours of Beehive collected and in the pot! I got a further three hours before cloud stopped play. Remote control is the way forwards...

Hell yeah - cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey...! Should be wonderfully clear though. Here's to some happy imaging time tonight.

Beautiful - nothing beats loads and loads of data. It also makes it much easier to process. I look forward to seeing the finished bird!

Yes, I sorted the Star 71, though I haven't tested it, but it was obviously wobbly and is now solid, so will be fine. The new altair scope has replaced the old SW 80ED. It seems lovely and the autofocus is working well, pausing guiding while running it and everything is fine when starting up again. So, happy days!

What you on?

Yes, though I have swapped scopes and am gathering first light for an altair 102.

Hooray! 2nd 1800s sub just in. Fingers crossed that it's good all night as they are promising.

At last!

Don't worry... Clear skies are on their way back now. With perfect timing too - the claggy cloud has been over the Full Moon, but we will all be enjoying perfect conditions for the coming New Moon.

At least, that's what my therapist has suggested I keep repeating to myself....

Grrrrrrrrrrrr.

Hooray! So am I. Bit much moon for anything but testing though.

Excellent job! I'm beavering away at M101, gathering luminance. It's been a while, but things seem to be working. Fingers crossed it stays clear for a bit longer...

Hooray! I'm having a little go too!

Hi. No, I didn't worry about backfocus distance with that image (perhaps I should have done?!). I kept the visual back on the Edge, put in the Powermate and then the ASI camera. It all came to focus relatively easily and I started capturing. It would be very interesting to know if that is the right way of doing it or if the spacing is crucial! Good luck with your setup and I look forward to seeing the final images. Gav.

Absolutely, that's what I'm up to. For as long as my target stays above the horizon anyway.

My guiding is not great either. I don't think the seeing is up to much really. There is moisture on its way sometime after 1ish and I think it is already in the atmosphere, over Wiltshire anyway.

Crisp n' even!

Which is worse than Cloudy/Cloudy/Wet/Windy/Cloudy/Cloudy - Discuss...

Hoping to join you at that soon!

I hope there was a 'Cloud Clearer' in amongst the gifts!

Good luck with the continuing project...

You should clean your glasses....

It's rubbish. I am currently hypothesising about what a set of Ha subs of The California Nebula shot through the WO Star71 would look like and how easy it would be to tease out all the detail thanks to the fast imaging scope employed...

Is that the tricky Cream Cheese Topping that is hard to get even with the 3nm Astrodon filter?

Go away on holiday to a clear sky now!

Fogging Fog...

Excellent news! I'm testing out my little baby and it seems a thing of great sweetness! Much Victory Dancing across the country tonight!

With the associated inevitable cloud, it may be a while before my first light post, but it will come eventually!