GrampyG

Hi Bearing in mind that there are a huge number of variables in astrophotography, are there any rough guides as to reasonable exposures for different objects. Just thought I'd ask.

Hi I've got a 127 Explore Triplet. I've only had it for a couple of weeks but due to weather had it out last night for first time using my Nikon D5600 and ASIair Pro. I also have the field flattener for it. If using a DSLR with the field flattener it will only just come into focus with the focuser fully extended using the 2 rings supplied - and that is on a star! Looking at an object at say 1 - 2 miles then it may not come into focus with the 2 rings. The quick fix is not to insert the field flattener/camera adapter its full length ie, scope needs more extension. I'm trying to get an extra ring but no reply yet from Bresser. Hope this helps G

Went out early to do a rough test: 25 Light (1 minute each), 15 Dark and 10 Flats. Set NEF to 12 bit from 14. Put through Deepsky Stacker. Result? PERFECT!! It appears to have been the 12/14 bit thing

Hi Thank you for the reply. I took the pics through a Redcat 51 so there shouldn't be real distortion

Just had a thought (careful!). I note the camera is set to 14 bit NEF. I wonder if this is the problem - I'll have to try 12 bit?

Using Sequator on NEF files (Nikon D5600) gives no problem - really fast, excellent results. BUT same files (lights, darks, flats) through Deepsky Stacker are really distorted. Basically the lower part only of the image is severely distorted as if it is smudged, the upper part is not PLUS it appears that the bottom centre area of the image 'curls up' slightly as if there are a number of 'layers ' I've tried on both 32 bit and 64 bit (latest) versions - both the same problem. Is there something I'm missing? (Note: 32 bit only on my desktop - 64 bit doesn't work. Both versions work on my laptop - still same distortion) Thank you

Fixed it! Deleted 4.2.5 and went back and downloaded 4.2.3 (32 bit)- all is now fine. Interestingly, the 64 bit 4.2.3 never did work on this W10 desktop but is fine on my W10 laptop. I think someone else on the forum had a similar problem with the 64 bit version Next trick is to see if it works with FITS files through the 600D via ASIair Pro.

Updated DSS to the latest. 4.2.5 Now the only message is 'Files are read only' and will not stack No problem previously. Any ideas?

My Canon 600D is connected to ASIair via USB A to mini B. Would I need the same cable for a Nikon d5600? (Camera not arrived yet) Thank you

Yes, it was the wrong setting for the scope focal length. All worked fine last night. Only a rough test but my FITS files appear grey scale in DSS. I think others have had the same problem. But it wasn't a full test. If I find this is the case then I'll simply use the ASI for guiding .

Nah, Dom, never done that yet. I did spend sometime wondering why nothing could be seen on the camera one night - didn't wind out the focuser!! OK, keep this a secret but I'll tell you - in confidence - what I think I did. At 3am I woke up and suddenly realised that I had the data in the Asiair wrong. I had the telescope focal length set to 630mm, not around 250 for the Redcat . For plate solving it has to be accurate. Doh! Ssshhh 😳😳😳😳

Hi Dom Just waiting to try it out again when weather improves. Pretty sure I know what was wrong but I will only admit it under duress🤒

Thanks Davey-T for guide to the tutorial - excellent

Thank you all for your replies. Woke up at 3am thinking what I had done. Think I've found out but not saying - yet - since it may be soooo stupid. 🙄🙄🙄 I'll let you know when I try again Thank you all

Tried plate solving as suggested as follows: 1. Used my 'home position', sent it to Arcturus (slightly off view), started to plate solve (200+ stars) -- failed. 2. Used ASIair 'home position, sent to Arcturus (again not in direct view but not far off, plate solve again failed. 3. Went through the same processes with Vega - failed. Fails after a large number of seconds in 'solving' Telescope was polar aligned before starting. Camera (D600 gave 10 sec exposure). In all cases 200+ to 300+ stars found. Whether the star has to be in the field I don't know - if this is the case then manual alignment is going to be quicker, at least for me. Certainly Arcturus and Vega were not in the scopes field, just slightly off Am I missing something that is so obvious (not unusual with me - too old)? Any ideas? I am getting absolutely nowhere with the ASI. I did note, however, that others had a similar problem with their mounts and home positions - according to ZWO they suggested 2 star alignment BEFORE switching on the ASI app. I think I am going to be left with setting the scope up as I have been via 2 star alignment and carrying on from there. Alignment has always been perfect even after one star. I've had good tracking and exposures up to 90+ seconds.

Hi Bobby1970 Thank you for your reply. I'll give that one a try. Just heard from a friend in S. Wales: he said the same as you with reference to plate solving. Thank you once again.

I've recently obtained the EQ R-6-Pro 6 and the ASIair Pro now to start guided photography. I've only recently started astrophotography but all my stuff so far has been unguided. However, I have a bit of a problem with my ASIair Pro - the problem is me, NOT the ASI! (Probably getting past my sell-buy date.) Couple of questions: 1. Can polar alignment be undertaken using a DSLR (D600) on ASI air pro or should I continue using my polar scope (EQ R-6-pro)? 2 The 'home position' is off by around 10° when set via the ASI - I have seen this brought up on another forum for the EQ6-R-Pro and HEQ5. It seems that the workaround, according to ZWO, is to undertake one star alignment before switching on the software. I haven't tried this yet. I then assume that one carries on with the ASI app, Guiding, etc, or should I carry on using handset for object finding? I haven't tried the following but I believe the easiest way for me to use the ASI is to polar alignment normally with the polar scope, do one or 2 star alignment via the handset, switch on the software and carry on from there. I must admit that getting this thing working was not as easy as the manual/videos suggest - at least for me. Any help or advice would be most appreciated. Thank you for reading.

When fitted with the appropriate flattener/CC both have a similar field of view. Which of the 2 would be most suitable for astrophotography - if either? Thank you

Thank you for replies. I meant to say field of view that would be the equivalent of a focal length 1.5 times greater, eg, to get the same fov in a 500mm using an APS-C camera, you would need a 750mm with a full frame camera - if you see what I mean.

Hi If I have a telescope with, say, a focal length of 500 mm, would it effectively become 750 mm if using it with an APS-C camera sensor of 1.5x? thank you.

Hi Just one more. Do I need a coma corrector (Skywatcher) for my recently purchased ASI183? Thank you

Hi What exposure times are suitable for Saturn and Jupiter using Canon 600D? Thank you

Gfamily, Your'e an Angel😀!!!!!. Fixed - it was the power settings. Brilliant! Thank you so much - all appears fine G

Thank you for your reply. Just folowed your instructions Connected mount to Synscan wifi. Did a 1 star alignment - Vega. Went fine and said aligned - pressed 'star mark'. Opened Skysafari - reticule centered on Vega. Very shortly after message basically comes up, 'Scope not responding': it disconnects and asks to connect again. It won't. Synscan clearly sends the message to SS but then disconnects. I'm using a Huawei tablet. Any ideas? Thank you

Hi I hope this isn't a glimpse of the blindingly obvious to all of you. Synscan WiFi arrived yesterday. Loaded the Synscan Pro software onto Android tablet and it worked - at least using Synscan Pro to control the mount. BUT would not connect using Skysafari (mount set to Skywatcher Synscan). After a fair number of hours of fiddling and on internet I saw someone indicate 'split screen mode'. Tried it and all now is fine! It seems that - and I am no computer expert - that opening SF shuts down Synscan Pro, but in split screen mode they both run. If anyone knows of another method I would be most grateful to hear. Now going to try to connect the android tablet with Synscan to my iPad Mini with SS - no luck so far but other people have done it Tips anyone?. Thank you