fireballxl5

also I wouldn't do a star test using one at low elevation tbh

This is what I've used on my FSQ85 and also TOA, just once or twice in 8 years now. It seems to work very well.

I've got some nice images using my stock Canon 6D, admittedly with some nice Canon glass🙂 No darks, flats or filters, it's a great camera. Comet 2020F3 NEOWISE, 70-200mm f4L zoom and 1.4x extender, 26x20s, ISO3200. Light polluted NW England. Cygnus, 100mm f2.8L, 22x120s, ISO1600, Isle of Skye, so cheating😉

It should be as simple as loading a previously taken sub and centering on this. AAP will automatically plate solve the selected image and go to the centre. Did this last night for the first time and it worked OK.

I have no plans to use the RST with a regular photo tripod, even when traveling. I have a couple of astro tripods that seem to be suitable, a Vixen HAL 130 (though not the current design, this one is being 2000-era) and if necessary a Berlebach Planet. Currently trying out the HAL. CS, Andy

Several good points made by @eshy76 that resonant here. Over the summer I've been pushing my travel rig (AZ-GTi/Tak FS60CB/Q combo) to smaller image scales as it gives me flexibility to reach lower altitude targets beyond the reach of my heavy duty fixed rig. After losing too many subs as a result of inconsistent guiding, I realised that I needed a better quality mount of similar portability. I considered the AT360 but went for a RST-135E that came up in the black Friday sale🙂 This is now mated with an RC6 for even higher resolution. Together with the ASIair/OAG/OSC (scope & accessories are 7.5kg) this can be carried outdoors on to the patio. Early days yet with first PA and star test last night during a brief clear gap but the signs are looking good👍

well the FOA60 is f8.8? I use my FS60Q (CB + Q-extender) @f10 for mobile DSO imaging, example below (65mins with modded DSLR). I'd expect the FC76 DCU to be better. HTH. Andy

Early days with my 135E but it works well with the ASIair Pro. Have to use the USB comms mind as the ASIair doesn't have a Wi-Fi driver for this mount. Note that you have to have USB comms set to 'Rainbow', not 'LX200' on the mount (LX200 is used for WiFi control from Sky Safari).

for these these initial tests I've just used my current travel scope, a 60mm/f10 refractor with OSC CMOS configured to give 1.65"/pixel. This setup weighs only 5kg, so easily within the mounts minimum spec (13.5kg w/o counterweights). My primary aim to use this mount for mobile galaxy/PN imaging with a payload of ~9kg (RC6 + accessories) at an image scale of <1"/pixel.

I grabbed FLO's black Friday offer on its baby brother the RST-135E. Early days yet with only 3 nights to play but I'm very impressed. My priorities were low weight, accurate unguided tracking with the ability to image at a scale of around 1"/pix when guiding. Seems to perform well so far.

@Dean Hale lucky that you don't have the added complication of wanting to also squeeze in an OAG...🤣 PS or just get the x1.7 Q-Extender, imaging at f10 but no flattener needed

This configuration doesn't look right. I think that the sensor should be 56mm from the metal back of the flattener. I have the same scope but usually use the reducer so *maybe* the back space is different with the flattener but unlikely. But maybe these adaptors give the required back focus distance?

I've done similar with my GTi, spending quality imaging time this year trying to get good results at longer focal lengths using my 60mm refractor. You should add the Rainbow Astro 135 models as other options at this capability point, admittedly with another step-up in cost mind🤑 PS, just read your notes🙃

Sounds like good advice @Franklin I have a similar big bogey in my TV 8-24mm zoom. It's been left in place owing to my concern with having to put it back together again! Anyone have advice for dealing with this? CS, Andy

Having the FS60CB with Extender-Q already, is there a preferred binoviewer that works well with this scope?

Or better still go straight for the BFG9000 upgrade😈

Hi HH, do you have details of the Tak focuser -> T2 adaptor please? Apologies for poor mark-up. CS, Andy

More help with Astroberry please, hope that you don’t mind George 😊 Astroberry installed on a RPi4 seemingly with no issues. Changed default user password away from astroberry as recommended. Now sudo commands prompt for a password however both the new user password and original aren't accepted. Is the su password different to these or is it something else? CS, Andy

I have the same question. I'm thinking that it means they are just designed to minimise halos that seem to have been associated with some CMOS cameras? Having said this, I've had halos with my 2013 generation Baader's using my CCD camera (OIII replaced satisfactorily by Baader btw). Corrections/clarifications welcome🙂

Thanks Peter🙂

Thanks, appreciate the comments🙂 As both scopes have Ha filters it seems easy to accumulate this channel quickly when the moon is about as this is usually when it's clear🤨 Surprisingly for me, this data was collected over just 3 nights within the space of a week.

My latest process is of some narrowband data from last winter (collected over the 2020 Christmas break) of NGC281, the Pacman Nebula in Cassiopeia. This false colour version uses around 20 hours of Ha as well as roughly 5 hours each of Oxygen III and Sulphur II, blended using the standard SHO Hubble palette in PixInsight. Captured using my dual-scope rig (150mm & 85mm refractors) at an image scale of 1.7"/pix. Total 186x600s, so 31 hours, chomp chomp😆

I often have this problem if I don't enable the secondary encoder. I should open mine up and see if it needs a clean. HTH, Andy

not a C11 or Uni 18/28, but mine works very well with an OMC300 (~15kg 12" f/9 Mak-Cass) on a Planet, with some CWs that may not be absolutely essential🙂

I can't help with your B-mask query as I use them with no such issue, but it seems to me that your spacing problem remains. I tried fitting the TS 9mm OAG in my mobile OSC setup but couldn't get the necessary spacing and so changed to a guide scope config. As I use this rig to image at a undemanding image scale I can use a 50mm finder scope, keeping the rig light weight. Still a very nice image btw🙂