alcol620

Apologies, images not labeled. A at the top and C at the bottom.

Thanks Adam, I have attached 3 images with the Pixinsight FWHMEccentricty script analyses images. My initial set up was the ZWO294MC camera and the ASKAR180 with an L-Extreme filter held in a filter drawer, which made up part of the 55mm back focus between the sensor and the reducer connection extension. This is Image A. I then added a 1.2mm spacer ring between the filter draw and the reducer connection extension, thus giving a back spacing of 56.2mm. This being Image B. Another spacing ring amounting to 2.4mm was then added, thus giving a back focus of 57.4mm, shown as Image C. I did also run this with a 0.6mm spacer, but this info seems to have vanished! It did, however, also have distorted stars Before taking each image I rougly aligned the camera with the same ara of the sky. The star Sadr glows brightly in the images. This meant (I think) that the reducer connection extension, the reducer and the focuser wre rotated in relation to the Camera sensor? I'm hoping that you will be able to deduce something from this information. Thanks for your help.

Thanks Adam, silly question, but what do you mean by collimation in terms of the askar180? I will post an image.

Since Adam kindly sorted me in terms of spacing to achieve focus, I have successfully run the set up and completed images. however, I am still plagued by distorted stars towards the corner of images. I have adjusted the spacing but can't get rid of the distortion. I have used the Pixinsight script FWHMEccentricity and got the attached outputs. Anyone like to clarify what these mean. The image tested had distorted stars in the lower left hand corner. My understanding is that the contours for Eccentricity should indicate higher values for eccentricity in the lower left hand corner rather than lower values. As adjusting spacing has not solved the distortion, I assume the problem must be caused by tilt somewhere. However, I have tried 3 different Canon cameras and the ZWO294MC I have now and the problem on distorted stars towards 1 corner still persists. Comments welcome

Just produced my first flats on the ASKAR180 ZWO294MC camera. No filter attached and 1.3s subs Does the attached debayered image look about right or not. Comments appreciated.

That's great Adam, changed that and all is functioning as it should. It got me totally confused with statements like "needs to be 55mm between reducer and sensor face". Thanks again for your very helpful feedback. Best regards Alec

Thanks for getting back to me. I am a little confused. I thought it required 55mm from the face of the sensor to the face of the flattener ie where the flattener tube screws into the spacers before the camera? Can you clarify for me. Currently the set up is as shown. Do I need to add the 28mm spacer next to the flattener? Thanks Adam

Hi I have obtained a ZWO294 MC camera and fitted it to my ASKAR180, unfortunately I reach focus. I have the correct spacers etc 55mm including the camera back focus as per other posts on this string. I wind the focuser round and as I movr towards focus I run out of turns. I am at the focuser stop. Probably doing something stupid, any ideas on what is wrong? Thanks for looking

Thanks Adam, much appreciated. If we ever get any clear nights??

Thanks Adam, what would a "good" one be?

do you mean the T-ring to EOS adapter taht attaches the Canon?

Bought the ASKAR 180 but run into trouble with out of shape stars in 2 of the corners. Camera is a modified Canon 1200d. I think it might be sensor tilt?

Thinking of getting one and would be very interested in hearing anything negative that you find. regards Alec

Review in September's Astronomy Now by Ade AShford.

Hi guys, I want something simple. I have a ASI1600MM camera. What are the recommended gain settings for NB and what are recommended settings for LRGB. And what are the suggested subs exposures, in seconds. This PHD dueling is too much for me.

I have to admit, although I have read lots about gain and offset, I don't fully understand what I am reading. How would you set up to do an evening of imaging both NB and RGB, Currently I would set up with 139g and 21 offset for the RGB images and 200g 50 offset the narrowband. Without the option to set these for each element of the SGPro imaging run how would you set up for such an imaging run? Sorry to be a pain.

Presumably, providing I have no issues I can carry one. I read a link some months ago setting out how importent it was to get the right Gain/offset balance for the ASI1600 ZWO cameras. The latest SGPro update takes away this ability.

Just downloaded the latest update of SGPro and got the message that ZWO native driver no longer supported by SGPro. I ignored this and carried on as I want to be able to set gain and offsets for each activity. Can some one explain what "not supported" means, SGPro still worked fine.

Thanks Adrian. Solved in the end as I was running the appropriate version of Windows10 BUT I had a desttop that was somewhat old. Following help from Steppenwolf and further investigation it was found that to download the software and get it to run, the PC had to have a CPU that was made after 2011 as before that date CPUs did not support AVX instructions (whatever that means!). My desktop was made before 2011, so no matter what I did the software would not download and run. When I tried on my more modern laptop everything was fine.

Hi Adrian can you show a screenshot of the file list that you copy over to the Pixinsight bin? PI having trouble finding the module. Thanks

Trouble with Teamviewer for the second time, accusing me of being a Commercial user, which I most certainly am not. Looked around and found Iperius Remote, seems too good to be true. Very simple download and to operate. Only run it for a few hours so far, controlling a laptop outside with the scope, mount, filters etc, and boosted on a Belkin booster the router indoors. Iperius connected fine and ran without trouble. It is free software. There is an Android version for a phone or tablet, but this requires Android 7 minimum (Nougat). My phone is too old!!!

Thanks Daz, not sure I could find the log file now and as the set up has flipped successfully three times since, I think I will await the next occasion. However, there is always a nagging doubt that it might happen again. Thanks for your suggestion.

thanks Gav for your interest,

By way of feedback. Ran the rig for the first time since the non-flip and at the appointed hour 1.05 am it flipped and plate solved as it always did before. No idea what caused the issue but will need to monitor a number of flips in the near future, until confident that all is in order.

No updates made recently. In fact no changes from the period when it has been running fine. SGPro v 3.0.3.169