iapa

Already done

Goods points, and considered. All electrical will be grounded at both ends. As will the pier itself - separate to the electricals. Albeit 40+ yrs ago now, I used to to be an Air Traffic Engineer (fancy title) with the CAA - so, am aware to consider this stuff.

Day 1, around noon, North-West view.

I have a stick PC which came with Windows 11 Pro, that I set up a couple of years ago to control capture and sequencing. It’s all setup and ready to go. In addition I invested in SGPro about 4yrs ago, so, probably before the likes of Astroberry and NINA.

Currently a WIP as of last week for testing on a more portable rig. Plans for the observatory were deferred (read procrastination) for a couple of years, so I just brought all the gear back inside. As a result, I already have more or less all still configured, so just need to plug it in, and better the devil I know and concentrate on the dome and shutter controls - at least for a few months while i look at other options.

Following the installation some years ago of my pier, and much prevarication the plug on the cash jar has been pulled. Today, work started with local Groundworks specialists starting to dig out for my 2.6m base, and a trench for power etc to be run to the base. I have chosen the Pulsar 2.2m dome as this will be sufficient for the 10” F4 Newtonian, no intentions of going larger, on CGX-L. Shutter and dome motors will be installed as well as two accessory bays. The ASI Air will not be used as it doesn’t support the Dome or shutter controls, I’ll keep that for the non-fixed mounts. This means reverting to a Windows PC <shudder>; Control Hardware Mini/stick PC, remote access with wired Gigabit Ethernet Pegasus power box 3 Scheduling & capture Software: Sequence Generator Pro ASCOM drivers Stellarium PHD2 And, finally, as we all love pictures!!!! Day 1, around noon, North-West view.

I think the main functional differences - other than size - related to prior model: PRO - adds 4x12V outputs, 12v power management, replaces 2 x USB2 with 2 x USB3 PLUS - real time 12v power output monitoring, integrated WiFi extender, USB-C connector for data transfer, integrated EMS storage, increased IO rates. Mini - 12V power monitoring reduced (excludes output power monitoring), back to 4x USB2*, removes ethernet port. Current software supports image stacking - but not for all large sensor cameras. Not idiot proof, I’ve manage a few errors (RTFM) and the setup for Celestron mounts appears initially confusing - not model related - follow the steps accurately and it’s fine. I don’t have any other manufacturer’s mounts so can’t comment on the relevant steps for those. Otherwise, focusing, plate solving, polar alignment, session planning, calibration frames all taken care of. Support for cameras, focus wheels and focussed is restricted to ZWO products. Nikon and Canon DSLRs supported, otherwise cameras need to be ZWO. I have an original model and 3 * ASIAIR Pro. * USB3 speeds not really necessary for imaging.

The password is 1Laegaire

I proposed 3mm from data in FLO website 2mm+/-0.05mm thickness for 1.25", 2" mounted, 31mm and 36mm unmounted 3mm+/-0.05mm thickness for 50mm and 50x50mm unmounted

I don’t disagree; my take was to sort the simpler issue (it is just a case of measure it things and doing the some). Anyway, I’ve put in tu’pennurth and will the more experienced take it.

I believe that with the flattened installed the back focus (measure from flattened to camera sensor) is 62.1mm when used with the GT81. Your current back focus from M41-M48 adapter to sensor is 72mm (0+16.5+36+2+17.5). Filters are nominally add 2-3mm to back focus, so, your total is required from flattener is around 65.1mm. You’ll likely not get the OAG and filter wheel together. So, I think you need camera =17.5mm Camera->filter wheel adapter = 2mm filter wheel = 36mm filters = 3mm Total = 17.5+2+36+3 = 58.5 adjust WO 6 III to 3.6 mm to give 62.1 My opinion - worth 1% of what you paid for it.

I put together an Excel file, Astrodata Calcs & Data.xlsx, listing some OTAs, cameras, EAF, filter wheels; this was to let me work out % load on my mounts.

Can you confirm that his is what you are using? If so, I have the same, and can do a test run and provide measurements for camera and lens positions

M31.tif M31.fit

This is 30 x 180Sec exposures with MasterFlat/BIAS/DARK_FLAT/DARK applied. The Histogram shows very jagged curves, and I've not found a process yet to smooth these out. All processing in PixInsight Any ideas anyone?

Circle-2-2708_14-Sep-2022-at-9-57-03-pm-BST copy.mp4

Any particular aperture? Are you imaging or observing? What sort of target(s) are you aiming for?

I bought the bracket set for the ED80 for £30. Just replace the slotted racket, fitted perfectly. No mechanical skils whatsoever.

Equinox ED80, flattener, ASI293MC-Pro WO slige guide & ASI174 for guiding on an AVX. M31, 28 x 300s, darks, no flats yet. No noise reduction of colour traction either.

I've tried "toilet tents", they barely lasted a winter here in Central Belt, after losing about 6 on one pier with a 10" reflector over at least the past 2 years, and that includes the -14˚C over night winter temps, and >25˚C daytime in summer. Some tore their retaining loops out, others faded and the material cracked and flaked, then vanished in a breeze. Finally got the TeleGizmos 365, OK, has a cost, but after a couple of years untouched over pier and mount, everything was very much clan and functional. I accepted the £100/pa was a reasonable cost for a £3K mount, in fact purchased a second one year later. Yeas, not as cheap as home made or other options, but, in my view well proven.

for those who prefer to read; http://backreaction.blogspot.com/2021/08/physicist-despairs-over-vacuum-energy.html

And doesn't address the drive - popsicles on a non-FTL drive will still be passed by when FTL comes along

That's what we are missing, the Infinite Improbability Drive, finite improbability generator and a really nice hot cup of tea........

there are so many on that theme, but I think I read that one. My thought was at the time that the population when landed was insufficient to survive. Anyway, I digress. Seems even the existing tech has issues getting things of Earth given Artemis was snubbed today.