uhb1966

For astro stuff, you should generally opt for a powered one as many astro gear takes its power from the hub. If the drain on the master's power hub gets above 500mA, the master usually shuts down the usb port.

Is it built like a ring? 🤣

@alacantGreat idea @andrew s but who ever thought of covering the back end?! Not me😬

While doing darks, i realized one of the darks was a bright white. i was rummaging behind my newtonian w/ my headlamp on. Looks like light can pass thru the gap around the mirror?! What is the best way to avoid that?! Best, U.

Me too! Also sth to think about: the very best filters with bw's of 3 nm cost at least 1000 a pop x3 colors =>3 Grands for the hubble palette!

Hi and welcome! I was at the same point. Generally speaking, Dobs are for observation only while astrographs can be used for , well, astrophotography and eyeball observation. However, a Dobson does per definition not use any mount - maybe a wedge - while an astrograph needs a precision mount. 8" usually get mounted on an EQ6 or EQ-G(same mount w different paint jobs). It's currently being sold at around 1450EUR if new. 10" vs 8" will not make a huge difference in observation and also not in astrophotography. IF you can financially stem the astrograph and the mount and are willing to put a lot of effort into AP, go for the astrograph. HOWEVER, many people do AP with smaller scopes and mounts if the have a lot of time on their hands for longer exposures. ===> Plunge into the getting started with AP discussion forum and read,read,read! Best, U.

one more note, if you think about going for the 200mm aperture scope i'd go for an EQ6 mount. Best, U.

You could also get a motorized mount like the EQ5 or EQ6 without goto and get the gotobox second hand from somebody like me who has gone all-out on computerized setup for AP, but i do computing for a living so no too big move for me

@Robindonne well, the focus was doing ok but not perfect before. it did have a bit of slack, both in move out but also overall, but it was better than those on other SW units. I also have a TS Quadruplet with an even better stock focuser. However, mine seems very similar to https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/language/en/info/p3700_TS-Optics-MONORAIL-2--Newton-Auszug-mit-Mikro-Untersetzung.html as it also has this "rail" - about 169EUR. HOWEVER: the adding of the ZWO EAF had multiple positive effects: (1) most important-absolutely no slack. The stepper motor avoids any slack. (2) Very precise adjusting as the stepper turns the adjustment way of about 2" into more than 14.000 single step positions, which can be directly positioned - (3) if you find that your perfect focus is at position 13450 when the scope is fully cooled down, you can directly tell the focuser to move to that position the next night - absolute repeatability IF you control the focuser via EQASCOM or similar (4) moves up to 5kg of equipment (5) no need to loosen & tighten a screw at focus-the stepper motor holds everything tight at the precise position. Should have bought that much earlier, paid around 300EUR with temp sensor and remote controller. Bottom line: I'd rather buy a good motor focuser like ZWO first, and only if things don't improve would buy another focuser. Only downside: the ZWO absolutely needs a 12V supply for the stepper motor, and no more hand positioning, only hand controller or computerized movement - thats the downside of it's removal of slack. Best, U.

Hi fellow Newtonians! I'd like to show a pic of my newest additions to my rig: it's still the old SW Quattro-8S, with the same old EQ-G, but now with a decent adjustable holder for my guide scope, my QHY-8 and a brand new Zwo EAF focuser. The focuser is highly recommended, because it adds a new quality to my focusing procedure although the stock focuser wasnt bad at all- but now it's precisely repeatable.

Dear all, thanks again for your feedback! @ollypenrice Yes, security reasons - but on the other side, who would steal a 12 year-old cam that doesn't even look remotely like a cam at all (for a non-astronomer)? Probably not all that risky after all. But would have to leave the OTA outside as well- have to think about it. @AngryDonkey That is, in fact, an extremely interesting idea - never heard of it before, but why not! The FridgeCam(TM)! 😂 @KevS Thanks! Yep, with 24 Watts for the EQ-G and 30 Watts for the cam's cooler, i'll probably settle for 2 switched+stabilised 5Amps power supplies. I have the luxury of a power outlet at my Bortle 4 home --> Okay - so i have several possibilities: 1- Optimize setup - minimal prep time 1 hour (lower bound) 2- Bite the bullet and store OTA outside, cam either outside or in fridge - setup time might go down to maybe 15 minutes if i train a bit - also lower bound. ---> I'll first optimize my power setup because that's where most of the fast benefits are. I have already finished a prepped power/usb cable tree. Since i now have a repeatable polar alignment, the biggest pro for a concrete pier has somewhat diminished returns now. Again, thanks everybody! Best, U.

Are you using a Newtonian? Some have potential light ingress via their back side...

@KevS thank you very much!! Highly appreciated Yep, that's a very nice rig with few wires! By the way- how much Amps has the power supply? Best, U.

Thanks everybody! Yep, the key is getting down the time for the cam to start cooling, which in turn means it's key to get down the time for my power supply to work outside. The idea of attaching a power distribution hub to the OTA is great! @KevS could you post a pic of your power distribution hub?! Best, U.

Yes, polar alignment was the worst part for me as well. I have now marks on my terrace where the 3 tripod legs ought to be, so the PA is reproducable and good enough for PHD2 to take it from there

Hello everybody! I measured my setup times when i did my last imaging run. Absolutely shocking 🤔 Step 1: unmount 8" quattro, disassemble EQ6 into 3 parts, move parts to terrace and reassemble EQ6, remount 8", without counterweights: 6 minutes 50 seconds (correct position marked on terrace, with right arm hurt, good time ) Step 2: Mount counterweights and set scope to park position: 1 minute 55 secs Step 3: Connect power sources and connect all cabling: 20 minutes Step 4: get the computer and software running (on a very good night): 10 minutes Step 5: Let my old QHY8 cam and the scope cool down: 1 hour - otherwise i get strong gradients! Total prep time: 1 hour 39 minutes. Obviously, the cable time could be improved massively by training. But even if we could get the cabling time to zero, i'd get only down to 1h24', with the total time being dominated by the cooling of my rig. Open question: As i would not leave my cam outside, there seems no real possibly to cut down significantly on my prep time, even with a small obsy? Or am i doing something wrong? Best, U. P.S.: Getting an expensive cam is right now no good option

Rule of thumb: the more $$$ you invest, the longer the stretch of rain that follows. Over here nothing but clouds for the next 6 nights

Yep, but only in those nights when i want to do AP ...

Great idea, and perfect for the time of the year! 👍

Hi Paul, i think starting with the skywatcher 130 you found should be a great idea; i have a Skywatcher Quattro-8S and it's an amazing scope for it's price. The EQ6 / Orion EQ-G (same mount, different branding) that i use has also a good value/price ratio and has a smaller brother, the EQ-5, which might be a very good choice. As for Goto /manual: if you know how to handle computers, i'd go for a simple/ manual one as long as it can be hooked up to a pc, and control the mount via EQMOD and Cartes du Ciel. Maybe open a new thread w/ goto vs. manual, as the primary question of this thread is answered Best, U.

Absolutely correct and a great idea - but then i won't have a refuge from my better half and the 3 kids 😬 Lesson learned: even if you try to go thru life straight as an arrow, sometimes even a guy like me has a "hidden agenda"!

Very nice! Love the photo where you're rolling the shed. I thought a lot 'bout it and will probably settle for a concrete pier with a small warm shed beside it.

very nice and no halos (some ppl are having blue halos w/ that filter)

Well, if a good scope was one of your childhood dreams, it's not wasted. You might have squandered the money on other things I know i have spent money on *WAY* more stupid things than my astro gear. Best, U.