gaz81

Seems I wasn’t using any offset then?

Yeah was pretty cold up here on Sunday night! Might try for cooler then next time. I use APT and didn’t touch the offset.. so not sure what the gain was.

So hopefully this is a simple question. I know have a 1600MM pro.. so it can cool. What temp should I aim for? -10... -15... etc. First night with it I cooled to -10 (actual temp I think) I managed some Ha of Heart Nebula for my first go... with a big bright moon! Still a lot to learn, just used unity gain 139 and 300 second subs, only had 1 hour total time in the end Was a whole fresh install of software so was fight that for a while 🙂

This is worth a read pending the software you have... https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/334568-setting-up-platesolving-in-astrophotography-tool-apt/

You’ll get there. inise photoshop myself, and watched videos to pick up the basics. I certainly didn’t get it first time and still lord to learn. Curves and levels 🙂

Can’t wait for my EQ5 Pro to arrive 🙂 SW 72ED, AZGTI, Weather sealed PC for remote control, 7TC guide camera and SW 9x50 guide scope.

Nice! It’s such a good feeling when you pop your space cheery. Haha. I was the same but with Neowise and Andromeda. After that... totally hooked! ...and love playing with the gear also. Some really good stuff on YouTube from the likes of ‘Cuiv The Lazy Geek’ , ‘Astrobackyard’ etc... also like ‘Dylan O’Donnell’ but he is pretty sarcastic, which I like.

Here you go https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SV116-Guiding-Scope-Ring-Kits-or-Telescope-Tube-Diameter-or-Finders-43mm-to-70mm-/283932069061?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292

Yeah, mine guides at about 1.5 -2. I do a SharpCap polar alignment with mine.

I have my 9x50 finder mounted on the finder shoe but with rings. The were SVBONY rings off eBay.

I replaced the M6 Allen volts with thumb screw M6 bolts Make it a little easier to lock down after polar alignment

So, took the feedback and started again This time enclosed the mini PC and power in weather proof mains enclosures (two of them, back to back). Still some work to do but waiting for a few more bits and got to fit an inline RCD to the extension.

Nice!

I originally bought mine used with the QHY5 fitted. camera was kind of working but a bit flacky and pretty old... but still used it many times. The adapter it used I just couldn’t unscrew from the camera... so got another https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adapters/astro-essentials-sky-watcher-9x50-finder-to-t-adapter.html then... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/392906785056 and then.... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/283304123136 You might not need all that... depends what you have in mind. The T7C camera is a clone ASI 120MC (computer sees it as that as well).

I have one, used to use it with a QHY5 mk1. Recently swapped out to a T7C... but not had the weather to try it yet. I got the T mount adapter from FLO and then a 1.25 eyepiece holder for the camera.

Absolutely... got a weather proof electrical box on order at Amazon etc. thank you for the feedback, is appreciated.

Yeah, there is no ST4 port so guiding is via Wi-fi. It’s just the Slywatcher 9x50 finder with the clone T7C camera (clone of the ASI 120MC) I was using an old QHY5, just changed it to that over the weekend.

Yeah, you are right. Could do with something there. Maybe a box that sits over the top but allows air to flow etc. It’s a fanless PC so don’t want to block all the vents It’s a Dell WYSE 5020. Was £40 off eBay. It did have a 32gb drive and 4gb RAM. I have upped that with stuff I have around the house so now it’s a 256gb SSD and 12gb of RAM. I’m still pretty new to all of this 🙂

I’ve gone to 400s with it, but that’s pushing it a little 🙂 I do like it though, nice and portable. Could do with wiring it to the PC though rather than Wi-fi, having said that I’ve had no issues with the Wi-fi on it.

Last time it was clear I had a go with leaving my laptop out side and using Remote Desktop to monitor after I set off imaging. So took it a step further and added a specific imaging PC and fixed it to the tripod. It’s an old Dell WYSE thin client with full windows 10, Wi-fi etc. Everything is plugged into that. Set it APT, PHD, plate solving, Sharp Cap etc etc. Then finished up trying to keep the cables tidy 🙂 All seems to have tested ok (indoors anyway!). Whole idea being I can plop it outside and get going as quick as possible.

I have one and works well i got a different one for my guide scope and didn’t realise it will only switch on for 10 mins at a time... doh... so will have to get another Coo-Woo one. I power off the mains as well.

Like I said above, learning so much from the problems 🙂 Just a shame about the lack of clear nights!

Another thing to consider with being in the dark using a laptop.... a backlit keyboard. My HP Elitebook 820 didn’t have one, but being a business class machine I bought one for £20 and fitted it myself (couple weeks ago in fact).

Glad I could help 🙂

No link really, usually get my laptops off EBay. I just make sure the seller is good. my laptop was a HP 820 G3 with a 1080p screen. I5 had 8gb ram at the time, think it was £200. That was a while ago now. You can usually spot the ex business laptops as they look a bit dull 🙂