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BlueAstra

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Everything posted by BlueAstra

  1. Been processing some old data from last year while the clouds were about. This is a LRGB+Ha image, 12x240s L, 12x120s RGB and 12x300s Ha. Processed in PixInsight and PShop. Esprit 150 & SX-H16 camera.
  2. Has anyone ever found an alternative tripod/pillar mount for the Evolution 9.25 heavy duty tripod that can hold the Evolution motor head and OTA? The motor head has three threaded holes at 120 deg around the edge, and a central hole for a locating pin on the tripod base. The tripod base has three captured screws that screw into the motor base, and a central locating pin. The nearest I’ve found is a Baader adapter plate that fits on a Baader metal t-pod tripod. The reason I ask is that my existing tripod base is getting heavy for me, and I’m looking to see if there are any lighter options that can handle the 9.25.
  3. That might limit the trailing on a single sub, but what about the relative trailing in a stack of subs over an hour or so?
  4. How do you deal with field rotation with this scope?
  5. I think the problem is that most software I’ve tried (PShop, etc) do not accept FIT images, so I’m trying to find something that does.
  6. A typical all-Sky imaging sessions leads me with 1000-2000 FIT images. Is there any software that creates star trails from FIT images? Or can auto detect meteor FIT images? (Not sure if this question should be here or in software)
  7. I bought one of these from Amazon for power/current measurement. It comes with bare ends so I put a power plug (male/female) on each end and just put it in series with with the dew straps for measurement. ARCELI 150A Watt Meter Power Analyzer High Precision RC with Digital LCD Screen for voltage (V) current (A) Power (W) Charge(Ah) and Energy (Wh) Measurement ARCELI 150A Watt Meter Power Analyzer High Precision RC with Digital LCD Screen for voltage (V) current (A) Power (W) Charge(Ah) and Energy (Wh) Measurement
  8. What would be the best filter choice for Jupiter/Mars viewing with a Celestron 9.25” + Baader Hyperion 8/24 mm eyepiece?
  9. I have a first gen Evolution. I've noticed recently that the Celestron logo displays a fast blink when switched on, either running from the internal battery or external power. According to the manual this indicates an error, but gives no indication as to what the error is (-Contact Celestron!). However, everything appears to be working normally, either with the HC or via Sky Portal on an ipad, and it has been for some time. The current firmware versions are HC: NXS 5.31.9200, MC: 7.17.0098, and the last time I update was a year or two ago. Anybody any ideas on what the error could be?
  10. I'm looking to find a battery as a remote option for an all-sky camera (12V, 1A, 1.5A peak, camera & heater, etc). I've noticed that most of the astro shops only seem to offer the Celestron battery options. I'm sure there used to be a lot more options offered some time ago. I'm looking for a reliable Li solution that will run the camera for around 8 hours, so maybe 8-12 Ah (although ratings from manufacturers may be optimistic, so perhaps a little more). Any suggestions?
  11. The dew shield on my Esprit 150 only extends about 12cm from the lens. Should it go further?
  12. The tripod leg clamp on my Evolution 9.25 broke, but I managed to get a replacement. However, I’m not sure how you get the tripod leg cover off to allow the new bracket to slide on. I’ve undone the grub screws but it still won’t budge. Does anyone know if the cover is screwed or glued on, or just very stiff?
  13. I’d just like to say that I have owned starlight xpress cameras for many years and have been very pleased with them. On the odd occasion that I have needed some service I have received exemplary service and advice from the company. I currently own a SXVH16, SXVH18, SXVM25C and an SX Lodestar, with my rig currently using the 16 and the lodestar. I would have no hesitation in buying new cameras from the company, and I hope they have a long and successful future supported by the UK astronomy community.
  14. It’s a bit like art, some people appreciate it and some don’t. There isn’t a right answer, but everyone is entitled to their view, likes and dislikes.
  15. I think one of the major reasons is as a field flattener for imaging. Imaging Newtonians or edge variants have optics before the camera to flatten the image. These are not present in standard SCTs so the reducers give the flat field.
  16. Here’s my original, authentic version!
  17. I’ve been interested in astronomy for a very long time, and some years ago was in a position to start acquiring equipment to kick off an interest in astrophotography. Over time I’ve gone from a simple SLR system to a large refractor with CCD camera and filter system, and along the way a large aperture reflector and RC system. I’ve also gone from setting up every evening to building an observatory. Although I now open up the observatory on a clear night, take the subs and process them, I can’t get over the feeling that it’s the process of creating, engineering and getting the kit to work that gave me the greatest satisfaction, rather than creating the finished images. Could be heresy, but I guess it takes all sorts!
  18. I've managed to do a temporary repair so I can get back in action again. I took a metal strip of Meccano and cut some pieces to bridge the gap between the leg clamp and the spreader bar. Just needed to drill out the holes to fit the clamp screw and the pivot barrel in the spreader bar. I put two of the new pieces in each leg clamp and the tripod seems to extend normally. Need to add two thick washers in each joint to keep the bar central. In the original tripod if the legs are not drawn apart symmetrically it can easily put a twisting torque on the plastic leg clamps, which over time may weaken and break (as in my case). So if you have this tripod be very careful when you extend it.
  19. The plastic spreader legs on my Evolution 9.25" tripod (out of warranty) have broken at the clamp that goes around the leg. Specifically, the two plastic flanges on the leg clamp have fractured, leaving the intact spreader bar hanging in space. Does anyone know if this is repairable (or replaceable)? Can the plastic 'ends' of the tripod legs be removed to slide on a replacement? Or alternatively is there a more robust tripod solution for the Evolution 9.25"?
  20. Delivery Update- I ordered the custom adapter from Teleskop-express on the 13 Jan and it arrived today, very efficient! There were no additional customs or other charges on arrival, just paid for standard UPS delivery on the site. Very impressed and would use them again if I need another.
  21. John at Jtech says he can’t take on custom adapters at the moment. I contacted Teleskop-express and they have a facility for custom adapters on their website. Look up 'Sonder'. I choose 'Sonder85' which is for two threads up to 70mm diameter, and sent a drawing to customer services with an order reference. I’ve ordered the custom adapter, 87 euro plus whatever new customs charges there are these days. I also got a positive answer from preciseparts in the USA, but I'll see how I get on with Teleskop-express first.
  22. I need a custom adapter/spacer to go between a Esprit 150 Field Flattener and an SX Guider/Filter wheel/SXV-H18. It would be M62x1 to M48x0.75 and 32.5mm long. Does anyone know a manufacturer in the UK who might who might be able to do this, or alternatively an existing product that might do the job?
  23. Can anyone give advice on this? I have an Esprit 150 and Starlight Xpress SXVF-H16 mono with filter wheel. In the past I got good results but I recently did a new set of calibration flats and bias. I now find that no matter what options (or program-I get the same result with DSS and PixInsight) I use, I seem to get bias vertical line artefacts in the final stacked image (which uses lights, flats and bias). I have never used darks with this camera. Can anyone indicate where I should start investigating to solve this issue. I have included a single sub, single bias, single flat and resulting stacked image for reference (all non-linear for visibility). Master Bias.tif Master Flat.tif Stacked Image.tif sub C43 120.000secs Blue.tif
  24. They are a little old, but I think the defects shown on the flats match the defects seen faintly on the subs.
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