wornish

I have taken the advice from RadekK and downloaded astroberry to try on my new RPi3B+.

After a few teething problems because of a slightly low 5V supply, I have managed to get Indi / Kstars and PHD2 up and running and being accessed over WiFi.

I have updated Ubuntu from 16 to 18 and all still works, this allows me to use extra drivers in Indi.

I think I am going to need a WiFi extender though as the one in the RPi does not have a very long range I am told.

So progress is being made.

Thanks for the replies but there is no explanation of the steps needed to load exactly what software on the RPi and what software on the remote controlling computer if its running Windows.  

Indi is not fully supported on Windows even today according to their website.

Its a minefield of issues, which most posts seem to gloss over, or drown you in lots of technical info which never actually come to a working solution.

I am looking at indigo which could be the way forward but it's still effectively in Beta and not solid, but shows promise.

Remote control of your total imaging system and mount etc is certainly not ready for non-techies who want to get into the warm!

I use APT as my main application which in the next version is promising indigo support and that will make a big difference if it delivers.

28 minutes ago, RolandKol said:

As I recall @Gina has done something similar.

If I am wrong, - I am almost sure she will be able to direct you 

 

Thanks, I have read her long post but it seems she only controls the focuser and camera, not the mount.

I am sure someone is doing it but I can't find them on here.

I have searched this forum but can't find any post where someone is actually controlling their mount remotely using a Rasberry Pi at the mount end.

What software needs to run on the Rpi to actually connect to the mount?

Any help or links appreciated.

Thanks for sharing this.  Not heard of NINA before. I will certainly give it a go.

The forecast is for clear skies tomorrow have you tried saying pretty please ?

Here is an excellent tutorial in removing gradients using Photoshop and its basic tools.  The steps are to create a synthetic flat and then subtract the flat from your image.

You can fix your gradients for FREE.

17 hours ago, AZAFATO said:

I've been thinking in buying the Sesto Senso to motorize the standard focuser of my SW Esprit 100ED however, I have hesitated because this motor drives the fine focuser and not the coarse one. I know all these focusers can experience different levels of slippage and that this can be somehow addressed with the backlash compensation feature envided in some softwares.

The other option I have considered is the FocusCube from Pegasus Astro. The advantage of this one appears to be that it is coupled to the coarse focus knob.

Comments/thoughts about either option?

Thanks, Diego

It works great, just ran the Backlash Aid using APT and everything seems fine.

If a focusser is only using the course control then I guess the accuracy of focus will suffer.  On my Esprit 100 the Sesto Senso  takes over 90,000 steps to move the focuser  from fully in to fully extended . that works out at 0.887 micron per step.

Took the plunge and ordered one as an early Christmas present for myself.

It arrived today.  Its so small and neat !

Was very easy to fit on my Esprit and it works with APT.  Now just need some clear skies to give it a go.

I am seriously considering the Sesto Senso and was wondering how those that have one are getting on with it ?

One thing I am confused about is how does it attach to your scope ?

I understand it clamps on the fine focus button shaft but where does the body of the focusser attach?

Just re visited this thread.  In the first post it is said that long focal length scope imaging  is beyond the capabilities of most non premium grade mounts. i.e. mounts costing less than £2000.

I am successfully guiding and capturing acceptable images using my existing kit Esprit 100ED ( 550mm)  so no problems there.

Now the but:   I "was" thinking about getting a longer focal length OTA say a Celestron HD 9.25 to capture the smaller DSO's

Will I be dissappointed because my AZ-EQ6 isn't able to guide to the accuracy needed.

What mounts are others using to support a long focal length scope for long exposure  imaging.

Will

Have you managed to get SharpCap to platesolve and polar align now ?

7 hours ago, William Jones said:

Does the first image taken using SharpCap Pro need to have the pole star in it?

Ideally yes as already said but it works just as well if its out of the frame..

Another BIG + for Sharpcap Pro and Polar alignment.  It just works so quickly and you don't even have to have your mount powered on. You can be in excellent alignment in less than 4 minutes. Best £10 I spent on astro software.  If you are quick you can download the current Beta and try out the Polar Alignment tool for free.  I think it times out the end of October after that its back to paying for it.

In fact I have just this week renewed my pro licence for a second year and got 2 extra months free.

Thanks Nigel for sharing your data. Finally had a go but I think your original is better than my effort.

I didn't use the Ha data this is just LRGB processed in PI and then tweaked in PS.

Thanks for the explanation of why star roundness is important.  I never thought of it that way.  Under normal viewing distances its really not noticeable in your data but the goal is a perfect image.

 Will have a go at your data when I get a chance. It has downloaded OK.

Really nice image - well done.

I honestly don't understand this fixation about star elongation I can't see any in your image, which particular star is bothering people?  and more importantly why?

I would really like to have a go at processing the data if you are happy to share.

8 hours ago, kens said:

AFAIK Kstars/Ekos on Windows needs to talk with an INDI server for full functionality. The ASCOM interface uses an INDI wrapper around ASCOM which provides only basic functionality. 

Thats what I found out when I tried it.  You dont get the same functionality or choice of equipment.   Kstars itself seems to be at the same release level as far as I can tell.

11 hours ago, wimvb said:

 

Yep, indi/kstars is wonderful, because everything is "under the same roof". I use it on a raspberry pi clone, so I don't need to take my laptop outside. Support is also excellent, from the indilib forum. The only problem is that once you have it, you want to build a fully automated obsy, to use its full potential.

Yes I am beginning  to realise that.  I will resist ?

I note there is also a Mac and a Windows version.  The Windows version relies on ascom drivers  and other stuff so its not as easy to use as the Linux version which as you say gives you everything under one roof.  Wish I had found out about this earlier.

Kstars software is just amazing.  After finally choosing the correct mount type i.e. EQMOD.  ( and NOT the Skywatchers alt/az ? ) , my mount connected and slewed perfectly.  My ZWO camera also connected and worked straight away.

The whole experience of switching from Windows 10 to Ubuntu linux and using Kstars was way easier than I expected.  Kstars seems very capable and logical to use.

Got to play with it now to do some actual astrophotography.

You certainly don't need to be a computer geek to create a dual boot system the whole process is not that  difficult.  

Take it in easy steps and make sure you have backed up your system first.

3 hours ago, alacant said:

Excellent progress. Do post how you do. 

One thing which hits you with Kstars is its logic. Everything is where you'd expect. The other big plus I found compared to ascom is that it has everything from mount control, imaging, plate solving and guiding all in the same app. There's no more apt, PhD,  eqmod etc to have to install separately and get talking to each other. 

Cheers and good luck.

KStars installed great and started ok. Will try connecting to my mount and camera tomorrow.  Got to say very impressed so far.

Just installed ubuntu 18.04 (the latest release) as dual boot on my HP laptop running Windows 10.  It was relatively easy have to say. I downloaded the ISO from ubuntu and saved to  to a USB  stick using Etcher.

I did do a full back up my C drive first just to be safe.  Installing KStar next.

Sharpcap 3.0 beta is now available to download.

Sharpcap 3.0 beta

1 hour ago, frugal said:

I managed to fiddle with the settings to get SharpCap to recognise about 26 stars last night by tweaking exposure time, digital gain, noise reduction and some others. After a few failed attempts (I know I am trying this at twice the recommended focal length, so I was chancing my arm), I got the image to Plate Solve. Then when instructed, I moved the RA axis 90 degrees and it Plate Solved again. Woot!. Then I clicked Next as told... "Guided Alignment is only available in SharpCap Pro"... [removed word]

This is with the latest beta version. Having a look at the website it says that the beta versions will have all of the licenced features until the end of the beta period. Has this changed?

Does the Polar alignment feature work well in 2.9? Is it worth uninstalling 2.10 beta and installing 2.9?

I had the exact same issue last night, having just updated Sharpcap to the latest Beta.  I was not happy as I didn't realise the new licence was available on their site.

So I decided to take some pictures of the moon and went to bed. 

I have just now downloaded the licence so hoping for clear skies.

I have changed from using a Skywatcher ST80 as my guide scope with a Toupcam to just using the Skywatcher 50 x 9 mm Right Angle Finder with an adapter and the same Toupcam.    Sharpcap Polar alignment works great and it is much lighter.