stash_old

13 minutes ago, BinocularSky said:

A question for those of you with RPi-4: What are you using for a field power supply? My battery packs with USB won't go above 2.1A, and RPi-4 needs a minimum of 3A. 12V + buck converter, perhaps (and, if so, can someone recommend a reliable one?)

TIA

12v to 5v 10a converter https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32585217993.html used on all rpi's not a problem 🙂   so far!

While what Olly says may or my not be 100% true if you look on the EAA section here and Cloudy nights you will see excellent results as it is being used in a specific way - to have very short stacked exposures.

IMO - It might not fit "astrophotographers" requirements but Hyperstar ,on various Celestron Scopes (c6 upwards) , is well used and liked by the EAA community.

IMO  =Its pretty simple 

If there is a SDK for the range and is popular then Indi has a driver.

Hence ZWO and QHY range of camera's are well catered for -  plus GPhoto2 for DSLR's plus many other camera's.  OK specific versions may not be specified - especially the very newly released one or very old versions.

I would say DSLR's are the ones missing out as GPHOTO is backward engineered for Canon ,Sony etc - Although I read Sony are releasing a SDK for some of their camera's and hope to incorparate many more - just need others to follow I guess.

List of ones supported are here https://www.indilib.org/devices/cameras.html

Post-processing software - depends what you want but GIMP is a large free well used image processor. Plus of course you can use your images on other O/S !

Then there is Indigo which if you have a Apple "XYZ" uses some very good non free bits of software very familiar to many e.g. PIXINSIGHT https://pixinsight.com/examples/index.html .                 http://indigo-astronomy.org and http://www.cloudmakers.eu

Astap and backup Astrometry.net (ansvr version) if Windows - ASTAP fastest but ANSVR is most reliable just slower.  You will need to download G17 star cat for ASTAP and appropriate index (FOV dictates) for ANSVR

18 minutes ago, smr said:

is it best not to shoot with 10mph+ winds?

Assuming gusts are not to bad a mean speed of 10mph is ok - and anyway how many nights will you get per year waiting for "perfect" conditions. IMO go for it and see what you get - you never know it might not be as bad as you think especially if you can "hide" from the wind. 🙂

I am not saying this option is better and I dont use it any more but you can use software to create a USB over IP which runs as fast as your network (in fact the software slows you down).

I am talking about Virtualhere  https://www.virtualhere.com/home  - its not free ($49 aka £40) and you still need a piece of hardware to run the "server" end but the cleint end is transparent to your Astro software. I ran it on a RPI3 (not b+ ) and it worked with a DSLR no problem. I suspose it comes in between a cable solution and moving to a mount "mini -pc" (RPI,NUC etc) running Indi or Windows.

Ok you still need to create,load and maintain a Mount "Mini PC" but that is not difficult (honest) and you only need to install 1 piece of software (Virtualhere server)

I am restricting this to Camera connections as they are the "hoggers" of bandwidth (USB or otherwise) and the serial (i.e. COM) ports) can be done in many ways - e.g. Ser2net etc.

Really today we are spoilt for choice 🙂 and most options work well and ,as normal ,have Pro's and Con's.

1 hour ago, Rocket Stars said:

Thankyou for reply! 

I have heard good notes on RDP. So I will try that one out first. But monitoring on iPad would be super! 😊

Will test different softwares, But CDC worked well erlier with the mount. What is a bit over the limit. But, Ill use hyperstar with short subs, and no guidning for now. Still have a bit backfocus/tilt issues to work out ther too) 

Have no plans for much live stacking, for now anyway. (Plans usally changes over time  ) 

Power for now, will be with the switched psu that came with the NUC.  Battery for a portable solution is next on the ”to fix” list. 

I’m technical minded. But my own saying over the years has always been:  Ask and listen to ppl who know more. And have done it before. 😊

Edit. I have to read up on Ascom alpaca! 😳

ANYDESK should work on Ipad to control Windows in the same way as M/S RDP.

At least you will stay warmer doing remote - especially with the Winters in Sweden

Good luck !  

Ignoring Ascom Alpaca I gues you will be using ASCOM or AXV own set up ?

If using windows set up then everything ,that controls Astro stuff, has to be on the NUC.

Assuming you are NOT going to do real time image processing (e.g. Astrotoaster) on the NUC I3 8GB 256gb SSD should be fine but you are only as fast as the slowest component - other than Camera's all the other kit is NOT high  processor intense software.

I personally use CDC as its a tried and tested with std Ascom connection software and until recently Stallarium needed Stallarium Scope to run as well.

You will most likely be using RDP or equiv to connect to the NUC some as above wired is best but a strong /fast (750MB) 5GHZ Wireless connection will work especially as everything will still run even if your RDP is lost for a moment and you have to connect again. Dont use Apple so not sure what the equiv RDP viewer is.

Mounting on the Scope is fine is your mount weight limit allows.

Dont forget the Power supply - keep AC hidden and run 12v (or whatever) to the mount distribution "box" - I use Ham power supply which is 30amp rated and "clean".

1. Once EQMOD installed and connected (see (2)) APT will connect via EQMOD Ascom HEQ5/6 driver(via Ascom Chooser) when you hit and choose the correct option under "gear" tab "Connect" scope. Dont try and start Ascom by itself its not designed to work that way.

2. When Bluetooth connected  before doing (1) above you should see another COM port in device settings - thats the one you use - so look at devices before pairing to see what COM devices are defined. Then pair and recheck devices to see new COM port. The later is the one used in (1) above.

Haven't used the newer Stallarium since they dumped Stellarium Scope.

its a bit too tidy for me LOL - hope you enjoy.

FYI

Just tried out a new capture software program which runs on the above systems (Windows/Indi Not yet)

Software is called AstroDMX - produced in the UK - https://www.linux-astro-imaging.uk/linux/astronomy/linux-downloads#downloads-current-version

I have just tried it on the following RPI3b+ (Buster/Astroberry 2.0.1) using just a Canon 100d DSLR. I used VNC to control the software running on the RPI.

My initial impressions (IMHO)

1. Very simple to Install with good simple install instructions on the web site.

2. Connected to DSLR first time

3. Tested during daytime (so far) with varying exposures 1/4000 to 10 sec using various F/stops (4.9 to 29) as I was using a std Canon 20-55mm lens

4. Used Raw and various other settings for output type - smallest was "tiny Jpg" which is 720x480 and largest Raw size.

5. Display size (scale) can be changed to zoom in or out on images taken. attached 2 images - 2nd was 300% zoom.

6. No live view available

7. Buttons control ,layout ,sliders etc are very simple to use and uncluttered

8. Capture options are various (No of Frames,Time) including timelapse.

9. No way to integrate software with Scope controls (ascom or Indi) but its being worked on !

10. Supports ZWO and other cmos ccd - i didn't test

11. Payment is via donations on the web site.

Early impressions are very professional and its worth keeping an eye on the progress and could be used to in remote wireless daytime photography with ease. 

A bit more info for using SV205 - but not  RPI or Indilib  - https://x-bit-astro-imaging.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-svbony-sv205-camera-and-how-to-use.html

The SV305 does seem to have a RPI device driver it might still work with the SV205 https://www.linux-astro-imaging.uk/linux/astronomy/linux-downloads

Scrub tha it means using non Indi capture software - maybe OAcapture may work with this camera.

Sorry cant be of more help. 

37 minutes ago, DST said:

Hello,

I know this maybe an older posting but I am just getting into astrophotography and leveraging RPI4 with Stellarmate software. My issue is with how to connect my Celestron 8se and SV205 camera to the Stellarmate rig?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. 

The main problem would appear to be the non existent driver for Indi this is the only reference I could find on Indilib - but maybe better to ask on the Indilib forum. So unless someone knows different or it can be driven by another camera device driver you dont seem to be able to use it on Linux at all.

Well... Svbony cam hasn't got usb 3.0 neither st4 guiding port...
Just for windows, no for Linux, Mac...

😞

However I just read the SVBONY web site and it states its a UVC type connection so may be recognised and can be used as though its a Web camera with Indi V4LC driver but I am only guessing here.

https://indilib.org/devices/cameras/indi-webcam.html

28 minutes ago, davemorl said:

All I need to do now is figure out a way to do the same for my Canon DSLR but I think this will be done via USB and a raspberry pi.

Its called Indilib - just plug in the  Canon to the RPI using Indi - OK you have to use either CCDCIEL (works with both Ascom and/or Indi) or Ekos/Kstars.  APT might work one day (how long who knows). Or Virtualhere Server/client set up. Indi is the fastest and cheapest route !

If you had used RPI for the mount as well as the DSLR then you could have saved on the £35 device 🙂 but more options the better for all 🙂

1 hour ago, RadekK said:

Well, it should not cause any problem whatsoever. Except python 2.x is obsolete now 😉 However if it works it works.

Thanks Radekk 🙂

Must admit i think it is there under "Enable limits" in Ekos Mount module - might be wrong as I dont use them but are there for "telescope simulator" - cant check for "real" EQMOD set up on Indi but be surprised its not an option 🙂

That appears to be Python 2.7 so best drop a line to @RadekK to double check it doesn't cause any other problems - shouldn't BUT !

Hopefully Radek will pick this up 🙂

Cost of Ethernet outside grade cable with connectors 50m - £65

above ground Flexi conduit 50m                                         - £30

Speed 1gb and min latency - assuming gb hub. Work 99.99% of the time and is plug and go.

Ubiquiti airmax bridges      X 2                                            - £180

Speed 450mb max and does have Wifi latency .

Ethernet over powerlines 

https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/test-centre/network-wifi/best-powerline-adapters-3490638/

Say upto 2gb but thats just a load of ********

3 minutes ago, fozzybear said:

To err is human, but to really foul things up you need a computer

But only when a human is at the helm LOL - most computers go one for years when humans leave them alone LOL

I never make mistakes - quote from my wife "you are always right" LOL ---------------------------- missed the "you think" bit LOL

42 minutes ago, fozzybear said:

Stash,

No problem just shut down lappy and hit power started apt no problem. why am I missing something?

👹  - no just me being mischievous LOL - it always M/S fault never the user 🙂   

36 minutes ago, fozzybear said:

Update finished and rebooted camera still connects so upgraded APT to latest version and still ok by the way you have the camera in M mode before connecting to APT

Ah but wait until you power off and start again - LOL

Quote from APT forum

"Hi Lawrence,

I'm pretty sure you don't need the the Canon EOS Utilities to be installed to use APT with an EOS camera.

APT installs and uses the Canon Application Programing (API) library, which provides the software required to connect to EOS cameras.

If you wish to leave the Canon Utilities installed then you should be able to disable it connecting to your camera automatically. It's been quite a, while since I used the utilities but, if memory serves, there should be an EOS utility icon in the Windows System Tray (on the right hand side of the Taskbar). Right clicking on this may give you some option to cdisable EOS start when camera is connectedc. You might have to search around a bit, if I've got this wrong. But it can be done.

Hope that helps. 

Cheers, Jim"

So just make sure that the EOS software isn't loaded and grabbing the camera before APT - its says quite clearly it uses API lib (installed by APT) not the EOS software utilities.

P.S. that goes for any other "camera" software you may have loaded - most likely🙂

Forgeting RDP from M/S for a moment a lot of other Remote viewers require Internet as they act as an relay service and so will not work without the internet. Not totally up to date on Teamviewer but it didn't allow your type of connection. But hen there is this https://community.teamviewer.com/t5/Knowledge-Base/Can-TeamViewer-be-used-within-a-local-network-LAN-only/ta-p/4618

Dont know what version of Win 7 you have but if you can install M/S RDP service on your Win 7 then you can use standard RDP viewer to connect the 2 devices but just use the IP address or see if network explorer on can see the other device (you may have set he Win 7 up NOT to allow RDP). he other problem is that you will need to change the Win 7 to ignore your DHCP as this most likely sets up the default root to be your router (and so the Internet) and set the default gateway to something like 0.0.0.0 but still using the same network IP subnet. 

some info to help with Win 7 end https://kb.parkland.edu/50610

17 minutes ago, Anthony1979 said:

Camera is in manual mode... setting is with canon digic 3 but nothing 

While the camera is plugged in - look in the devices (device manager) and see if there is an ! sign against the device if recognised. Plus may also show up as extra disc drive - if so can you open the "canon drive" and see your files. Presume you have a SD card inserted.