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white dwarf - whats the difference between the EQ Mod cable and the Ali Express cable? Both look like Serial to USB to me?? Thanks Ed

Thanks all, much appreciated

Hi, Some advice needed please.... I'm currently imaging unguided on my NEQ6 Pro, using the hand controller to set up and find the target. I'm then using APT to control my DSLR for the imaging session. Playing around over the many many cloudy nights there have been here in the UK recently I've got APT talking to Stellarium ok to plate solve, though I've not used that in anger for a session as yet. However, I'm getting myself confused around what I would need to do to control the mount from my laptop rather than the handset. Would I need to install EQMOD? or can I do everything from within APT? Or indeed is it even worth doing, should I just stick with the hand controller?? Thanks Ed

Thank you, did wonder about flex but assumed that I would see it in opposing corners more. Will try rotating the OTA in its rings to position the focuser better. Is that star shape fix a plug-in? not heard of that before. Thanks Ed

Hi, Looking for advice as to why I'm getting egg shaped stars, but mainly in one corner! I'm using a SW 130PDS with a Baader MPC Mk3 and Canon EOS 600D. I've used an old filter ring to get me to the magic 55mm but still I'm getting this same problem. Any advice greatly appreciated. Single 60 second sub below taken tonight while trying to get the Western Veil Nebula. Bottom right of the image is the worst for egg stars.

Thank you Adoldesa

Thanks for the reply, I will go the way of the heater, christmas list being written! But would I need one at the back of the newt for the primary and one at the top for the secondary?

Hi, In the UK we are well in to autumn now and on the last couple of occasions the skies have been clear (which is rare!) my 130pds has developed dew on the secondary mirror well before the primary. I've read that dew shields are not needed for newtonians but would fitting one help reduce this problem? Also, do people fit dew heaters near the top of the OTA to help prevent this?

love these images, just had my first serious go at DSO imaging and it was the same subject. Wish mine looked half as good as this! How do you remove the stars? The image with them added back in faintly is my favourite, on my image they almost overwhelm the nebula itself. Thanks Ed

Well after 3 or so years of on / off attempts at astro photography I knuckled down Saturday night and got a good 2hrs of data on the Veil Nebula. Also did darks and Bias but no flats, I had a go at them Sunday morning before stacking it all together! This is my first serious attempt at processing a DSO and as such I'm quite happy with it, despite there being LOTS wrong with it still. I also seem to have two bands that run across the image horizontally at about 1/2 way up and 3/4 way up. Really hoping they are not a problem with my DSLR sensor Have done my best to process them out but can still see them a bit. Also think the image looks a little warm Captured with SW130PDS on an NEQ6 unguided with an astro modded EOS 600D 160 lights totalling 1hr 22mins plus 29 bias, 30 darks, and 30 flats Stacked in DSS and processed in Photoshop

Hi Richard, Thanks for the reply. A little confused though, I thought the T ring thread say to do with the camera not the cc? Or are you saying I need the Canon T ring and a suitable step down adaptor to allow the Baader to screw into it? Thanks Ed

Hi all, have been watching this thread with interest as I'm looking to get an imaging scope. I was considering the 150pds but the 130 looks like a cracker from the images here. Having read through the thread the general concensus seems to be that the baader mk3 coma corrector is better than the sw one due to no reflections, is that definitely the case? If I were to go with that one would I still need one of these to connect my Canon 7D https://www.firstlightoptics.com/coma-correctors/skywatcher-dslr-m48-ring-adapter.html Still not 100% decided to go for the 130 over the 150 but 99% sure it's the right choice due to the slightly wider fov it gives. Thanks Ed