kendg

Like my old carpenter friend says. "Dead plumb and a bit over"

Great job 

1 minute ago, CraigD1986 said:

Thanks for the quick replies. That’s makes perfect sense about the EQ5 vs HEQ5, I’m not sure how I missed that as it seems glaringly obvious now. Sounds like the Star Adventurer is the recommended option. And if I don’t need the guide scope & camera, that will save some more money.

 

So If i buy the star adventurer, take multiple fairly long exposures with a 600mm focal length using a full frame DSLR and stack them, I should get some decent results that inspire me to keep going?

That's the idea. Get you hooked with some promising results then get you to open your wallet even more. 😄

It's a slippery slope to full blown addiction. 

The HEQ5 is a full goto mount. The EQ5 is not. You would need to add motor drives and controller to the EQ5.

The HEQ5 is considered a very good starting point for astro-photography.

The Star Adventurer is a good option for starting out and learning. It's a great little mount.

Also some good ideas here.

https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/662407-denver-chair-cats-perch-chair-plans/

I built one of these.

Fairly easy build.

http://www.denverastro.org/xdfiles/carlson/denver_chair.html

I would suggest getting in touch with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada Calgary Center.

They have excellent people and may even have a loaner program similar to the one we have in Canada.

That way you can try before you buy.

There also is an excellent telescope store in Didsbury. All-star Telescopes and I'm sure that Ken there will be more than willing to help you.

Hope this helps a bit.

Stepper wires inadvertently reversed?

2 hours ago, DaveHKent said:

You posted the same one twice there.

The one I used is:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:241592

I picked up a Celestron Red Dot finder for about £15 and printed one of those, then I'm not always taking it on and off my scope. It has been really useful and cheap to produce.

There are some 3d printing services online if you don't have a printer. I'm sure they would knock one of them up for a very small amount.

Thanks, the one I meant is

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3613101

Which is pretty much like the one you posted.

Or print your own and fill it with lead shot or sand.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3237564

If you have a 3d printer (or know someone who does)

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1232862

or this (which I think is better)

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1232862

Personally I would  go with 

http://skywatcher.com/product/bk-mak-102-azgt/

or

https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/skywatcher-skymax-102-az-gti-wifi-telescope.html

Both are motorized go-to scopes and will have the least amount of frustration. 

I think the biggest problem will be finding these in stock.

I've found this to be an excellent resource. 

The Backyard Astronomer's Guide Hardcover – Sept. 12 2008
by Terence Dickinson, Alan Dyer 

Looks to be milliseconds since Jan 1, 1970.

If this helps (from google) 

In python

import datetime
readable = datetime.datetime.fromtimestamp(1603194392).isoformat()
print(readable)
# 2020-10-20T13:46:32+02:00
 

On android I use Mobile Observatory pro. Does what I want and has notifications with events for 7 days.

Also does aton of other stuff too.

The best option would be if you had the stl file for the part (or the gcode), then it would be no problem to get it printed.

Failing that, all the dimensions would be needed so that it could be made up in a 3d design program and then the stl code generated could be turned into gcade for  a 3d printer.

Pretty much that's it.

Move the camera on the ball joint without moving the Star Adventurer. Just remember to turn on the SA. 🙂

Chck out these.

and

Might be of some help.

My only suggestion is to try to get a model with a flip out screen.

I use astrotortilla. Seems to work OK as it downloads the relevant datafiles.

Just make sure you download them before you go. 😀

Looks really cool, but I don't think it would handle the snow load here 😄

I've found that for what you are getting with APT and one of it's competitors (and I have and use both) they are very inexpensive.

No reason not to pay to support the efforts.

Or just pick a object visible during the daytime.

+1 for stellarium

I use BYEOS to capture videos with my Canon 600D.

Works pretty nicely.

Here are 2 for 3d printing. I use the 1st one and haven't tried the second one.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1872841

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2784415