-
Posts
1,408 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
4
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Gallery
Events
Blogs
Posts posted by assouptro
-
-
On 15/03/2024 at 18:25, tooth_dr said:
OMG it gets worse!
Sitech have chased it up and have been informed it’s now being sent back to them in America - it was classed as ‘undeliverable’ by Ireland post but no reason for why has been given. I’ve been given a copy of the address on the label and it’s complete and accurate and 100% right.
I’m being ask to pay again for it to be redelivered… that doesn’t seem very fair.
Good grief!
That’s ridiculous!!
I feel your pain!
Take a deep breath, count to 10 and keep as calm as you canThis kind of stress can make you ill!
at least you haven’t been missing a rare extended clear spell! (Struggling to remember one of those!)Good luck, keep us posted, I hope someone in the delivery chain sees sense and deals with this for you
Bryan
-
Great capture, interesting target!
Sorry to hear about your mount issues, I hope it’s resolved soonThanks for sharing 😊
Bryan
- 1
-
Simply lovely!
would sell a relative for 30 hours of clear skies right now!
Thank you for sharing
Bryan 😊
- 1
- 1
-
20 minutes ago, Rodd said:
Thanks Bryan....I am fine, ust get frustrated at times. I have come to teh conclusion that 99% of the frustration comes from the conditions, whether it be haze, high cloud, jet stream, smoke, LP, wind, humidity, the Moon, you name it, it's there most of the time. The images that give me the biggest headaches are the ones taken during poor conditions. I am starting to come to terms with this being a part time hobby. I think from now on I have to accept that I will need, on average, two Moon cycles to finish an image. Two nights with each filter. Thats 10 imaging sessions for an HaLRGB galaxy. If I want to use only subs taken during good seeing, I will need to kake it 3-4 Moon cycles. Man, if I am not careful, I will start to lose interest!
I hear you!
I am glad your ok, your self criticism concerned me
I have recently pushed forward with more automation, plate solving, focusing, re - focusing after time, rotating and more importantly filter offsets allowing me to have a full filter data set per rare, clear nightit has taken a couple of clear nights to get it working, and there are still things that need a tweak. As It’s still early days it hasn’t really sped anything up yet but it’s cool having all channels taken under the same conditions and allowing me to do an interim stack with what I have so far allowing me to adjust anything for the next run
I have enjoyed setting that automation up and I still get a thrill pressing the play button on Nina’s advanced sequencer and watching the scope follow my instructions. For me the hobby has always been about getting the gear to work as I want, overcoming the hurdles and occasionally producing an image that I’m never completely satisfied with but hopefully a bit better than the last?!
There are so many variables in this hobby and to add to it the weather has been so bad it’s been almost impossible to get new data recently and I too sometimes wonder how much longer can I torture myself but it has always been a hobby that requires Buddhist like patience!
keep smiling 😊
Bryan
-
On 15/03/2024 at 21:01, Rodd said:
Thanks Bryan. See note below
Rodd
we are our own worst critics
Throw your mind back to when you were starting out in this crazy hobby
Im sure you would have been over the moon with the first 2!
I have to admit, I have only viewed your images on my phone so far due to time constraints but they all look great to me!
I hope you are ok Rodd? I enjoy your images as the ones that I’ve noticed are normally taken at longer focal lengths or cropped to achieve the same effect, and I too enjoy imagining “close up and personal” to some of the deep sky objects up there although you have superior optics
Take care
Bryan
-
Lovely images Rodd
The “hamburger” galaxy is one of my favourite galaxies
I’ve never quite managed a decent enough image to share and I wish we had more clear skies to have another pop!
Thanks for sharing your resultsBryan 😊
-
It’s a shame you had
2 hours ago, DaveS said:un-calibratable reflections
There is some lovely data in there and loads of distant galaxies!
hopefully we’ll get a good spell of weather soon! Please!? 🙏
Thanks for sharing
Bryan 😊
- 1
-
On 08/03/2024 at 05:08, Mark_C said:
Thank you for the positive feedback, I really appreciate it! 😀
Absolutely delighted with the AM5, it has exceeded expectations and makes a very nice setup as both the scope and mount are highly versatile! Never would have expected this setup to work but it handles the C11 with no issues at all! I am now wondering if ordering the 0.7x reducer for the C11 is actually worthwhile as so far these results even at F10 are nothing short of fantasic.
The only issue I sometimes find is finding a decent guide star but it does help tremendously in having an OAG-L with a larger prism and an ASI174MM attached, that larger sensor really makes a difference!
Great image Marc!
I know what you mean regarding the guide stars at that focal length especially around m51!
(I have a 12” Meade which I use at 2084mm with a Starizona reducer/flattener)
I was using the Celestron oag until recently, it’s massive prism and ability to rotate was perfect but it eats up loads of back focus and my latest rig hasn’t the space so I’ve resorted to the tsoag9 (my first ever oag purchase around 10 years ago?!) it is really fiddly and doesn’t have the biggest chip but thanks to a rotator I can normally find a guide starImaging at this focal length is great fun, it’s not without its challenges but I enjoy it! Even on large nebula it can be fun to get up close and personal with just a small interesting area and there are many more guide stars around Cygnus and Cassiopeia!
One thing to consider, re- the 0.7 flattener it will speed up your subs, so less waste due to guiding errors, wind, planes etc so it may be worthwhile in the future?
Anyway, that’s enough waffle from me, going to go back to your image and enjoy 😊
Thanks for sharing
Bryan
-
8 hours ago, vlaiv said:
I think that difference would be small if any, so you can simply bin the masters for simplicity.
Hi Vlaiv
I have reviewed the data and binned the stacks
I have come to the conclusion that there has to be a point where you just have to admit you haven’t earned the right to display certain details, mainly down to the amount of integration time involved
I don’t think I can improve the main subject whilst revealing more of the delicate background working with my current data and skill set
I am however encouraged to spend more time capturing photons in this area as I have the start of something!
Thanks for the encouragement! 😊
Bryan
-
1 hour ago, Clarkey said:
I think it is a really good rendition. Different with the exaggerated Ha - but in a good way. I particularly like the first one.
Hi Clarkey
Thanks for the comment
The first one was my favourite when processing but when I started looking at other renditions I saw many with brighter cores and thought maybe I had done the galaxy some injustice by suppressing its visible unfathomable power!? (I over think sometimes?!!)
Thanks again for the comment 😊
Bryan
-
6 hours ago, tomato said:
Great images, the Ha regions in the spiral arms are spectacular.
Thanks tomato!
I ended up with a lot of ha data!
I also spent some time learning how to introduce that ha into the red and lum channels using pixelmath which helped make it stand out
really appreciate your input, it makes me smile to know someone else thinks my image is worth a second look 😊Bryan
-
5 hours ago, ONIKKINEN said:
M81 is a tricky galaxy to process with how bright the core is and how faint the extended outer parts are, i have processed my last year's image at least a dozen times but still dont think i got what i wanted.
Some kind of HDR process is necessary to have both the faint parts and core visible, but still this is a nice image.
Thank you ONIKKINEN I understand your frustration!
As a first subject for my new rig it has been difficult
Your comment and compliment are greatly appreciated😊
Bryan
-
1 hour ago, vlaiv said:
Very nice, but I think you have much more data in the image than it shows.
You could bin the data as it is over sampled to help with SNR, but that is a side note - look at this bit:
That is Holmberg IX - irregular dwarf galaxy that is satellite galaxy of M81 - it is there in the data but can't be readily noticed in the image the way it's been processed.
Thanks Vlaiv I appreciate the input
i was aware there was a lot more in the data, I am just struggling to eek it out with my current skill set
I could bin, I often do at this scale, I would normally use image j on the individual channels before registration and stacking, would binning the stacked masters be as effective or do I need to start again at a base level for the best results?
Thanks again
Bryan 😊
-
Hi pixel peepers!
I’ve spent the last few weeks putting together my “Galaxy Season” rig for some close up work on some familiar targets
My rig consists of an old Meade 12” lx200 coupled with a Starizona LF reducer/flattener, giving me a focal length of 2084 and a f ratio of 6.8
A modified Meade zeroshift focuser with the motor replaced by a Pegasus Astro focus cube keeps the focus under control
A newly introduced deep sky dad rotator allows consistent framing
A tsoag9 with a zwo helical focuser and 220mm mini guiding the rig snug in front of a QHY CFW3 containing 2” Antlia LRGB V Pro broadband and SHO edge4.5nm filters connected to my QHY 268m that I am still getting to know all balanced on a skywatcher eq8 that is behaving really well since I threatened it with replacement by buying a second hand Mesu!
Being in a suburban area I generally Image in Narrowband so I’m not skilled when it comes to broadband acquisition and processing
I feel like a novice, starting out again!
This project has tested me, I’ve had to learn how to get my rotator to not only work with Nina but share it’s position with PhD2 which took some research
I have had a weird conflict between my Pegasus Astro UPBv1 and a new (to me) Pegasus Astro focus cube v2, I have to have the focus cube disconnected when connecting my laptop to the UPBv1 or my laptop cannot see it! I have reached out to Pegasus Astro and so far they haven’t been able to help me so I just have to make sure I disconnect the focus cube before connecting to the switch?!
I am also now using the advanced sequencer in Nina so I can take advantage of features such as centre after drift which is awesome!
Anyway, we had a couple of clear nights during and just after the last full moon and this gave me the time to sort out some issues and start collecting data
I experimented with a few sub lengths, gain/mode etc and settled for mode 1 gain 56 offset 26, 60s broadband and 180s ha
Processing has been hard… you get into a pattern with processing, using the same tools make them familiar but a galaxy has such a wide range of brightness from the core to the outer edges it’s a tricky balancing act. I have loads of respect for people producing awesome Galaxy shots, it’s not easy!
This is my best attempt so far
It’s a mix of 2 versions, one stacked in WBPP the other in APP consisting of roughly 2 hours each LRGB and 4 hours ha (I need more LRGB)
One with a tamed core
one with a brighter core
Sorry for the long post
Thank you if you read it, it’s a solitary pursuit and there aren’t many people who would understand let alone care about the hurdles involved
Thanks for looking and any pointers would be greatly appreciated
Bryan 😊
- 17
-
Don’t know what they are but I hope you’ve found something new! That would be awesome! 😊
Great image Gorann!
- 1
-
6 hours ago, tomato said:
I use the Mesu Mk 1 with NINA and CdC. I start up Sitech first, then CdC, I connect the mount to CdC using the Sitech Ascom driver. Then I start NINA and connect the mount, again with the Sitech Ascom driver. For most sessions I search for an object in CdC and slew to it from there. I plate solve in NINA then do the corrective slew from CdC then it’s all NINA from then on. This could all be done from NINA, and for a mosaic it would be but for single frame sessions it’s what I have got used to and it works seamlessly every time.
Thanks
that sounds like the workflow I will be adopting when I finally swap mounts
ironically, my eq8 is behaving so well over the last few sessions I’m in no rush!
And I recently added a deep sky dad rotator and a new Pegasus Astro focus cube2 (that has some weird problems) to the mix so I’ve had other priorities!
I am looking forward to incorporating the Mesu in arsenal though, It’s always a “fun” distraction from real life dealing with these pieces of equipment that frustrate and challenge us yet supply immense satisfaction when mastered!
It really is an addiction! 😊
- 2
-
On 26/02/2024 at 12:32, Panagiotis Papadakos said:
Hello Bryan,
I have the exact same Mesu and along with a friend of mine we have made an OnstepX controller based on teensy-4.1.
That’s interesting
thanks
I have the mount at home now and I’ve played with the hand controller
it’s a very basic unit (opened it to check the cable connections for continuity)
all connections bell out from the cable that plugs into the Sitech box but it doesn’t respond so I’m not sure if it’s a problem with the Sitech box, or socket?
as I’m not going to be using a handbox it’s not really that important but it would be nice to have everything working
Cheers
Bryan 😊
-
On 25/02/2024 at 22:06, Stuart1971 said:
Can I ask too, is it possible to set the zero position on this rotator, by this I mean if I wanted the rotator to be in a certain orientation when at zero, this could be set…?
I think so
it’s done by the main dsd software
I could tell it where it is and synchronise the current position to whatever figure I wanted so yeah.
The only thing I found is setting the 0 position I wanted to 90° worked better for me as I was only allowing 180° travel and that way it would rotate either side of 90° without doing a 360if that makes sense
I’m still learning though 😊
- 1
- 1
-
I haven’t had enough experience yet but so far, so good 😊
- 1
-
Hi Steve
Finally got it nailed! (I think🤔)
wow, what a learning curve!
it’s not that complicated but there are so many variables and very little in the way of specific instructionsIt turns out I need to have reverse ticked in the deep sky dad driver but don’t select this in Nina?
I’m not sure if this changes with type of ota used as you may have a reverse image or an upside down image or both? But that was the configuration that worked for me!
I also tried to synchronise the mechanical and sky position by plate solving in Nina then matching the sky rotation to the mechanical rotation in the dsd software. I’m not sure this was necessary but made sense to me
I am working on 180° mechanical rangeand set the starting point is 90°
The other thing I have managed to do is get the rotator to talk to Nina and PhD2
This was achieved by downloading an ascom server called Optec
I didn’t even know this tool existed until I reached out to the community on the PhD2 Google form
Optec is a Great piece of software that does what it says!
I just want to thank you for you help in this, I’m not sure I could have solved this without help
Bryan 😊
- 1
-
1 hour ago, teoria_del_big_bang said:
If you are still having issues then email Pavle at DSD, he is very good and will sort you out.
pavle.gartner@gmail.com
Only other thought is if you had bought 2nd hand was the Firmware out of date ?
Mine is quite old but this is my Firmware version. Like I say email Pavle he sorted me out on a few issues with both rotator and flat panel.
Steve
Superb advice and information Steve!
I did buy it new from 365 astronomy and had to load the initial driver from the dsd website following the instructions
I will check all the settings when I get home and reach out to Pavle should I still struggle!
thanks a million for your time 😊
Bryan
- 1
-
thanks for the reply!
The problem lies in calibrating when not pointing at the equator and meridian etc
however... ignoring the guiding issue, can you remember how you set the rotator up with nina?
Did you somehow synchronize the rotation of the rotator to the actual physical position and do you limit the rotation to 90, 180 or 360 degrees? do you check reverse?
I am getting frustrated with the rotator deciding to nearly travel 360 degrees when it only needs to travel 10
I'm not sure if I have a faulty unit or I just don't know what I am doing??
I appreciate your help, I'm a bit lost and frustrated, I dont get enough clear sky to waste on trial and error at the moment!
Thanks again
Bryan
-
6 hours ago, teoria_del_big_bang said:
Hi, yes works like a dream.
Thanks for answering!!
I have the same rotator, and I use NinaI initially had some issues getting it to plate solve and rotate without searching but I think I have that dialled now (not enough time under stars to be confident!)
One thing I have a problem with is connecting the rotator to phd2 as well as Nina
I need phd2 to know the rotation as I have an oag in the mix and it ideally has to go behind the rotator so it doesn’t cast a different shadow on the chip of my imaging camera
Have you any advice?
many thanks again for replying
Bryan 😊
-
Hi Steve
did you get this working with Nina?
cheers
Bryan
What is this long green structure fanning out from M51?
in Imaging - Discussion
Posted
Aurora?