cuivenion

Pecprep is part of EQMOD but you download it separately. A simpler way to get a pec file is to use Autopec in EQMOD. You can just guide normally and activate recording in autopec, no need to switch off guiding output. Once you have recorded a set number of worm cycles you can start using pec. Autopec also generates a file that can be filtered by PecPrep. I found this method a bit easier, but it's been suggested that the already suggested method using PHD2 is more accurate. I wouldn't feel qualified to comment on that.

I took this M45 image back in February. It was my first image taken with the 130PDS. Unfortunately I had some guiding and mount problems, but I still like the outcome. Mount used was a HEQ5, camera was an unmodded Canon EOS 500D: 25 x 300 seconds guided 25 x Flats 200 x Bias (converted to superbias in Pixinsight) Software used was Backyard EOS for capture, PHD2 for guiding and Pixinsight for stacking and processing.

As to the grease question I use Superlube: https://www.zoro.co.uk/shop/lubricants-and-chemicals/greases/85g-super-lube-grease/p/ZT1036828X?utm_campaign=pla-Lubricants+%26+Chemicals+-+&utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping-pla&utm_keyword=ZT1036828X&istCompanyId=6aa6787b-063e-4414-802d-129f235df603&istItemId=wtqixrrala&istBid=tztx&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvNe-wYfM2wIV47ztCh0xJAs2EAQYAyABEgLkdfD_BwE Or a variant of for things like the azimuth and altitude bolts, and any other bolts where you want to cut down on wear and tear on the bolt and threads on the mount. For the internals such as the bearing's, shafts, worm and worm gear I use WS2 (Tungsten disulfide) suspended in Oil. It's a little messy and you have to be careful handling it (keep out of eyes/mouth etc). But its the grease I've has the best results with. I use Archoil 2600 but that has been discontinued, this by the same company looks like very similer stuff and is what I'll go for when I run out of my current batch: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Archoil-AR4200-CLP-Firearms-20ml/dp/B00GGLJW0Q Might want a bit more than 20ml just in case. Depends how liberal you are applying it.

Hi, here is the result of the next test. There is one faint vertical band. it appears in all my stack frames when autostretched:

Thanks, these are my results: I have no idea what they mean. I hope you do.

Hi, how do you perform the subtraction though? I did it as if I was calibrating the frame. I though that both calibrated images would look like the 2nd, blank with avgDev of zero, if the bias was performing correctly.

I guess what I'm really wanting to find out is if the bias from this camera can be used for calibrating the same as other CCD's and dslrs can. I've even posted on the zwo website and the reply I got wasn't really that helpful.

You'll have to excuse me I'm a newbie with this stuff. Wouldn't I expect the same from integration2-integration1 too? That's if bias is functioning correctly.

Hi I tested the bias. This was the workflow. 1. Took a set of ten bias. 2. Shut down the camera. 3. Restarted the camera, took another set of ten bias. 4. Integrated both sets using these settings: 5.Subtracted integration2 from integration1 and integration2 from integration2 with these settings: 6. And these are the results side by side. Looks like the bias is not useable for calibration then. Unless something in my settings was wrong: Here are the the original two integration files before calibration: All the files were autostretched. One question I have now is how do I use the Basic CCD Parameters script in Pixinsight to find my electrons per data if I can't use the bias? This also leaves me unable to use the SubframeSelector process. I've also posted about this on the Pixinsight forum.

I've thought about this too. Interesting thread. There's that little 76mm parabolic f4 as well: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sky-Watcher-Infinity-76P-Telescope-Parabolic-Mirror/dp/B00CYHT97M You would need to put in a different tube with a different focuser though.

Great thanks for the info.

Hi, I'm not going to pretend I completely understood that. But basically you're saying if you choose a gain that is 6db,12db,18db, 24db etc (195, 255, 315, 375) above unity gain then I'll avoid quantization noise?

Hi, I thought that would be the case, but as I wasn't sure I just played it safe, thanks for the info. The last point has gone over my head a bit. I've not come across quantisation noise. Looks like I've got some reading to do. You've obviously got a deeper understanding of this than me, you couldn't finish off that equation showing the correct gains could you please?

Cheers Bob!

Cheers Lockie!

Thanks for the feedback. I knew the star mask had something to do with it, but I wasn't sure what to do about it as I'm still quite new to Pixinsight. I'll give it another go soon. Cheers for the help.

Just looking on FLO and apparently the cooled version has been discontinued, one left at £390. Wish I had the spare cash.

Looking forward to checking out the images.

Yeah there is a cooled version, not mine though. Out of my price range at the moment. There's the 385 as well, similar noise and performance but a slightly bigger chip. I'll probably go for that at some point.

It has 19k full well at minimum gain and the read noise is still at 3-3.5 or so which is a lot lower than most Canon Dslr's at minimum iso. Should work great. I'll give longer exposures a go myself on some fainter objects.

Cheers Chris.

Thanks Michael, I'm really impressed with the 224. I could even see the Galaxy with 1/2 second exposures at high gain! Made framing it a doddle!

Cheers Paul!

Thanks, the only problem with the short exposures is I'm losing the star colour because I need to up the gain so there are enough stars for the stacking software to detect. Maybe there's a way to have Pixinsight detect the stars that aren't visible before a stretch, I'll have to look into it. I thought I'd play it safe with this one.

Hi, This was imaged with a ZWO ASI224 and 130PDS on a Skywatcher HEQ5 using Sharpcap software. This image of M51 was taken on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. It is 683 x 10 second exposures with 200 darks. Stacked and processed in Pixinsight. I was shocked at the amount of detail from only 10 second exposures, I'm quite happy with this one. Any comments and constructive criticism welcome.