hjw

I am trying to get back into this beautiful hobby of ours. I moved halfway around the globe (from Australia to Germany), changed/updated my equipment, struggled with the German weather, built a obsy from scratch and had issues getting all the bits and pieces talking to each other. Finally, it seems, all the puzzle pieces have been falling into place. I spent two nights last week collecting data on M33, the Triangulum Galaxy. I am still trying to get the hang of narrowband processing - a big step from a DSLR. So here is my first ever attempt of M33: I used a Saxon 200DS (8" Newtonian) on a pier-mounted SW EQ6-R Pro mount, a ZWO ASI1600Pro camera, ZWO filter wheel and filters, auto-focuser, SW ST80 guide scope and ZWO ASI123MC guide camera. I used N.I.N.A. and PHD2 for image acquisition. About 2 hours worth of RGB each (180sec/frame, 139 gain) and 1.5 hour Lum data (90 sec/frame) Stacked with DSS and processed in Photoshop. The tilted frame border is a beginner's mistake. I forgot to collimate the scope for the first night and accidentally rotated the camera while doing so for the second night. Anyway, good to be back! Waiting for the next clear night. At least the equipment seems to be playing nicely. It's now for the user to catch up! Clear skies!

I recently got a ASI678MC which I want to use for guiding and occasional planetary photography since my previous guide camera doesn't want play along any more. My problem now is that PHD2 doesn't recognise the camera. I downloaded and installed the latest version of PHD2 as well as the latest ASIStudio with updated drivers. In ASIStudio everything is fine, the camera shows up and I can start imaging. But PHD2 tells me "no camera found". I copied the ASICamera2.dll file into the PHD2 folder and replaced the one which was there, but then PHD2 doesn't start at all. Did anybody have the same problem and fix it? Any help welcome! Clear skies!

I used a 3mm HDF boards and covered them with heavy duty truck tarp (PVC).

Hi everyone, I has been almost three years since I last posted here, or did any serious astrophotography for this matter. One major reason was that I relocated from Australia back to Germany. All the hassle during Covid and waiting for equipment to arrive. I have also upgraded some equipment (DSLR to ASI1600 and filters for example) I then spend the first year in Germany to build a permanent setup in my back yard. And over the last few nights I decided to test the equipment. Guiding is not working and I am pretty sure it is the guide camera (waiting for a new one). But I did have a go at the Bode's Galaxy (M81) in LRGB. 20x 60sec L and 20x 120sec in RGB each. Equipment control with N.I.N.A., stacking with DSS and some quick processing with Photoshop. With the moon doing what he does best - washing out the sky, I wanted to see what narrowband can do. I have heard you can ignore a full moon Target was NGC6888 - my first ever narrow band image. I took 20 x 180sec each of H, S and O and mapped hydrogen to red, oxygen to green and sulphur to blue, just because I like it better than the Hubble palette. Overall, I am quite happy with initial results. Looking forward to get guiding sorted and am very happy to be back in the hobby. Processing will be the biggest upcoming challenge. Thanks for your patience and clear skies!

Thanks Tomatobro, I did what you suggested and had partial success. Three out of four directions during guiding are working. Tried to find a straight RJ12 cable with 6 wires (6P6C) rarer than hen's teeth :( What did people do before ebay?! Thanks again! Hopefully I'm on the right track!

After years of dutiful service my HEQ5 mount is playing up. It started with the Synscan controller at times claiming that no mount was found when outside. Back inside everything was fine. I did change the power source but that didn't seem to make a difference. During (the Australian) winter there were not too many opportunities anyway. Now it's getting warmer and the skies improve I took the scope out again and the mount connected but now I noticed that the guide impulses through ST4 cable are not having any effect. During calibration in PHD2 the mount is not moving at all besides the normal star tracking. In other words the mount seems to be working but I lost guiding. The place where I bought the mount moved from Melbourne to Sydney and there is no other repairer within 800km. With the 2 issues together I am afraid it is something major. Anny ideas appreciated! Clear skies!

I can beat this, although I haven't quite as many posts yet : L/P=1.4

I will be the first to admit that I am not yet on the level of some of the posters above. But I am making progress and I am happy about it. Got the scope in February and started with the Carina Nebula: Mid year I started guiding and the Lagoon Nebula was one of my first targets: The highlight of the year IMO was the Tarantula Nebula in the Large Magellanic Cloud: and finally the last picture for the year - Orion: These were my highlights for 2015 and I am looking forward what 2016 will bring (hopefully less clouds!) Thanks for looking and clear skies! HJ

I know, I did a couple of posts there !

Hi everyone, I know it's a beginners setup - off the shelf, but hey... it is my pride and joy. SW 80ED on a HEQ5 with a Pentax K-30 for imaging and the SW ST80 with a ZWO ASI120MC for guiding. Just loving it ! One day, when I grow up, I might get a real scope... Cheers HJ

I would add the Tarantula Nebula (at the bottom of the Large Magellanic Cloud) to the collection. Pentax K-30, 55-300DAL zoom (@300mm) 30x10sec ISO6400, 5x10sec dark frames. Shot last night after 2 weeks of clouds .