nitram100

I gave up on Astronomy in the UK a good while back, it's just an exercise in frustration. I only have the one scope and a camera because I knew any more gear would be worthless in this god awful country. 

It's my main passion and really gets me down when I can't enjoy it. I decided a long time ago in order for me to be happy I need my hobbies, so worked hard and got my austalian permanent residency about a year ago through my Nursing experience. I've been out a few times since getting my residency and blows my bloody mind how amazing they have it down there. I'm making the permanent move in about 6-7 months.

Did this exact same trip back in 2017 also added in the grand canyon star party. I will never forget those views and clear skies! USA really is blessed.

Incrdible pic!

12 minutes ago, PeterCPC said:

and expensive.

Haha too right

5 minutes ago, PeterCPC said:

Great first attempt!

Some suggestions - you need to get the focus right so I suggest a bahtinov mask. With M42 you need long exposures for most of it but short exposures for the core. You then combine them.

Getting the colour right can be a bit trial and error but you don't say what camera was used. Was it the 183c Pro? Did you use an IR filter?

Thanks mate, appreciate it!

I definitely need to work on the focus as I was doing it manually with live view, which can be quite tricky. Bhatinov mask thanks for the advice!

It's the Altair Astro 183c Pro which has a built in UV-IR blocking filter.

Ah that makes sense with regards to the core, because that was the part that was getting too bright and bloated with the 30 sec exposure.

Thanks again, this imaging is definitely addictive!

Hi guys,

Had my first go at a deep sky object last night, M42.

It was 30 X 20 second subs with 20 darks in sharp cap and stacked in DSS. It was 16 bit RAW file.

I messed about with it in GIMP, first attempt looks a bit too pink but I'll keep practising the levels, stretch etc

Any advice would be great.  Would I benefit from longer exposures?  When I upped the frames to 25-30 seconds, it became too over exposed and the stars became big blobs.

Thanks for any advice

Ah no way, that is very sad. Always desired one of his telescopes.  RIP

Thanks for the advice guys! Some clear skies next week so going to give it another shot

9 hours ago, geoflewis said:

You should be, it's a cracking image.

Thanks ! Just waiting for clear skies so I can try my barlow 😁

58 minutes ago, Space Cowboy said:

You are on the right track but a 2x Barlow would help a lot to bring out the finer detail.

F12 would be ideal for that sensor (5x pixel size) so maybe a 2x Barlow + extension tube.

Thanks buddy, will give it a shot with the barlow next clear sky !

Would using a Barlow help the image?

Happy with this one, nothing compared to some people's images but I'm pleased! Lovely pic of the GRS.

Used 10" Orion optics f4.8

Eq6pro

Altair 183c pro

30,000 frames with 32% frames used . Sharp cap, autostakkert then registax basic wavelet tweaking.any advice on improving?

Also tried a jupiter with a barlow, clearly a focusing issue?

How could this saturn be improved ?

Altair 183c cam, 250mm newt on EQ6 pro.

Took about 30,000 frames over 3 minutes, used about 30%, SER file, RGGB. . No barlow used. Some basic tweaking in registax.

Slightly blurry ? Could this be a focus issue? Finding it quite difficult to focus as soon as I touch the focuser, the planet shakes all over the screen.

With my equipment, do you think there is much more to be had?

Thanks for any advice!

Saturn 24th November.bmp

jupiter.bmp

Managed to grab an image too, still learning ! Lovely sight in the scope thanks for the heads up.

my first shot of a planet, bit out of focus and tracking wasn't great but I'm happy to have caught something at all! Thanks for the advice, much to learn.

Legend, thank you for all the help mate.

6 hours ago, vlaiv said:

Yes, Autostakkert!3 is the norm (there is even version 4 coming out, but it is still early beta stage, so for the time being - stick with v3) for stacking.

Most people use either SharpCap or FireCapture for capturing.

Use about 3-4 minute videos (use SER format). Capture in Raw / don't debayer at the moment of capture - software will do that in special way when stacking.

Use about 5ms exposure, even if image seems too dim - again, after stacking you'll process the image and it will look nice.

You need something like 30000-40000 frames and then you can decide how much you want in stack - usually around 5-10% but that will depend on seeing conditions.

Use Registax 6 or AstroSurface for wavelet processing (sharpening) of the image.

Thank you so much for that info! Really appreciated.

I will have to order something as I just realised my camera will not attach to my ultma 1.25" barlow. I may need to buy a 2" barlow lense or get some kind of adaptor, such as a 1.25" to 2" adaptor.

Thanks for any more info!

Awesome thanks so much for the reply. I've been reading about what software to use and I have seen some good results with my cam people using autostakkert for planets ? Do you recommend any particular software?

I was using APT for my deep sky stuff.

Hi guys, just wondering if it's possible to take decent images of Jupiter or Saturn tonight with my camera the Altair Astro 183c Pro Hyper cam?

I've only used this camera once since buying due to bad weather and managed to get a small image of M57.

It will be used with a F4.8 newtonian. Is it possible to add a barlow to the scope to get a closer image? As the calulators I have used, the planets seem to come up very small.

Thanks for any advice!

Awesome thanks, and have been predicted a clear sky tonight! It's a miracle

Finished a 12 hr shift, setup the scope and left it for an hour to cool down in the garden with perfect blue skies. You would think it would be safe with the forecast?

No chance, this is England. It just started raining ahahah, had to pack the scope up quick.

I'm done with this hobby, in the UK at least.

Last night was incredibly frustrating. I just finished a hard day at the hospital and the forecast said clear for the evening, so I set up the scope which is no easy task after a long shift!  The skies were clear and blue when setting up and I was so excited. I was letting the scope cool down while getting all the AP gear ready, then went outside and complete cloud cover. I don't think i'll bother getting it out until this low pressure system clears off. This country is so awful for any kind of hobby that requires even moderately decent weather, it''s awful. I need to emigrate somewhere warmer with blue skies, i'll never be happy here.

It may sound crazy, but this weather lately has really made me think about what I want in the future. I have been so miserable the past month due to this weather, not being able to do any of my hobbies. The winter was a really long and miserable one too and we'll be heading back into it in a few months. I'm 38 and have just saved up for a deposit for my first place and I'm honestly thinking I don't want to even bother. I've got Aus permanent residence and nursing registration so am seriously thinking of just upping and leaving.  Had periods of bad weather in the UK before but this one has really really gotten on my nerves.

17 hours ago, brenski said:

I'm a bit bemused by this one.

Recently bought a Hypercam 183c [fan cooled] camera from Altair, however the USB lead I'm trying to use cuts out at random intervals.
this is the one i currently use with my Zwo183mc and SVBony 205 without any issue at all
https://www.amazon.co.uk/LINDY-43098-Active-Cable-Type/dp/B07B95S2NP/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=lindy powered usb 3 cable&qid=1690280715&sr=8-5&fbclid=IwAR3wlozee6DQpRT3ecoQPXG661zN4O5UQxRZ2IV-bJ1oBBE0oRjuI4jcTFg

However, the Hypercam is a frustrating story and Altair are suggesting my only way forward is with one of their cables meaning another outlay of £125

https://www.altairastro.com/altair-5m-usb30-optical-cable-for-cmos-cameras-type-ab-12309-p.asp?fbclid=IwAR0DG1cRVY4ntQW-AtijTHCGh-Owclsoghs7niy6tykmftkOa8VJbnZH3h8

why are Altair cameras different with regard to cable compatibility? Anyone know a way to get the Lindy cable working?

If not, does anyone know of a cheaper-priced cable that does work with the 183?

I have the 183c fan cooled also and use the amazon basics cable and it works perfectly.

This exact cable i used last night, https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00NH144GK?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

I only use the 1.8m version so length may be your issue? The basics cable is cheap though so may be worth a try!

12.5mm ortho

14mm ES 82 degree

28mm 62  degree

Shorty 2 x Barlow

Never felt the need for any more. I find astronomers can be quite 'hoardy' and get too much stuff that they don't need.