Kev M

Managed to get my guiding sorted last week, APT, CDC,EQmod & PHD all working in harmony.

Gave it another go this week ( during a brief interlude between the clouds ).

First thing I noticed was some spots on my guide camera pictures ( probably some dust or dots of moisture ) so took it out to give it a clean.......( OK... who knows whats coming next ? ).

Made sure that it was still perfectly in focus when I put it back.

Tracking went mad...PHD threw a complete strop, started ok for a few seconds and then started getting wider and wider on its adjustments until after about 20 seconds it threw the toys out of the pram and shouted at me on the screen.

After persevering for about another 20 minutes with the same results ( tried swearing at it, didnt work but made me feel better ), decided to read the instructions.....( which I see as the first sign of defeat ).

Hmmm, might have been best to run the calibration after inserting guidecam .... as what was left/right and up/down was no longer the case as it is highly unlikely that the camera had been inserted in exactly the same orientation.

Obviously immediately upon rectifying this.....the clouds rolled in ( think they were deliberately waiting and laughing for a while first )

Now I know to RECALIBRATE after moving the camera.....IDIOT.

1 hour ago, Gina said:

I've wondered how I could arrange for members to be informed if anything happened to me.

A young lady such as yourself still has many years left.

Must clearing from the East as I am the same but it starts clearing at 21:00

Clearing up here as well, but as John said , a bit windy

ClearOutside ( which is always 100% accurate....Hmmm ) shows it being clear from 9pm tonight through to 11am tomorrow morning.

Its overcast and raining at the moment here though.......

5 minutes ago, Davey-T said:

Can't believe a word those forecasters say.

My daughter lives in Gainsborough, be ringing her this evening so will do a weather check 

Dave

Try and find an excuse to pop round and see her.....tell her your car broke down thats why you didnt turn up till 11pm and youve brought a tent 🌚

Solid cloud & drizzle up here but forecast says it will clear tonight , looking for an excuse to be late for work tomorrow.....

3 hours ago, Kev M said:

It should have been easy enough to find last night, I could see it with my 50mm camera lens on 30 secs.

I am assuming you are looking for M101 ?

Sorry didn't notice you had Bortle 8 skies.

It should have been easy enough to find last night, I could see it with my 50mm camera lens on 30 secs.

I am assuming you are looking for M101 ?

On 06/05/2019 at 21:48, Gina said:

I thought petroleum jelly attacked rubber.

Probably might attack natural rubber... which like myself you are much too young to remember.

But the synthetic "rubber" commonly used today is fine.

I always used to coat any rubber gasket in petroleum jelly to avoid movement when tightening and its also a great moisture barrier.

5 hours ago, Ronclarke said:

I feel your pain, I think most of us have had nights like this (more than one!!) I'm not far away in Newark on Trent if you need any help just shout!!

Cheers

Ron

Thanks Ron,

I think we might have already met....did I buy an HEQ5 pier mount head from you about a year ago ?

Kev

Ok I am still new to this imaging lark as last nights episode will show.

Seen a quite unexpected unforecast clear skies up here last night so thought...go for it.

Polar aligned HEQ5...quite accurately I thought for me.

Done the usual setup with skyscan and slewed to first alignment star.... a bit out.

2nd alignment star a bit out ?  Went to first target...miles out ?

Thought ok..check everything....noticed I had put in date as 5/5/2019 rather than 6/5/2019...it had gone past midnight...idiot.

Re-entered date tried again......1st alignment star...wildly out of position .....what....

Checked again....noticed I had put 6/5/2019 in as date rather than 5/6/2019.....bloody americans !

Redone alignment....quite reasonable for me...both stars near where they should be.

Fitted camera and slewed to M51.....had I focused camera on 2nd alignment star before going to target....nope.

Back to alignment star....focused camera....slewed to M51.

Thought ok calm down have a coffee...nipped into house made a coffee.

Came back outside and the sky had gone almost completely white .......aaaaaarrrrggghhhh !

You got clear skies !

Clouded over again here...… ?

Camera looking good though, do think you have cleared the problem for good or is it temporary ?

Looking good.....?

Will have to get mine back on plan after its delay....?

Another very professional job, well done.

54 minutes ago, Astrokev said:

The only small issue I have with the door is the weight. I can't believe that a few lengths of 3x2, a sheet of ply and bit of cladding can weigh so much ?. Perhaps it's the rock wool insulation ?.

More likely to be the sweat & tears soaked into it ?

Again, a very professional job....i'm a bit jealous when I look at my effort.

Starting to take shape, I know what its like when you crack on and then have to stop for a while, very impressive cant wait to see it completed.

6 hours ago, Astrokev said:

Well, I've painted the walls. Hmmm...… problem is I don't like it ?.

 

I think it looks quite nice....very well painted as well

I just used a door I had lying around and nailed cladding over the front of it.....must remember to updates my pics !

8 hours ago, Astrokev said:

 The observant will notice the corner of my mattress, being integrity tested before we leave for Kelling! ? 

Wasn't going to mention it.....

Looking good though Kev, professional looking job...will have to get my humble attempt updated and some more pics posted.

Quote

 

So I managed to source a used EQ5 goto ( at what I thought was a good price  ) with an F8 150mm refractor.

Going by his description it was in good condition ( no photos ), just before I popped round to inspect and collect he called back and said it was actually an HEQ5.... did I still want it.

Did I ……. think he is now in hospital getting his hand stitched back on where I bit it off.....

A happy bunny..... ?

2 hours ago, Astrokev said:

Right, just waiting for the nails to arrive ? 

I would concentrate on getting your plumbing problems sorted first.

We can all see the outside bath and the bedpan ( next to the beer bottles ) that you are having to use.

Sort your priorities out Kev.......?

As soon as you mount the scope it will cloud over and rain......known scientific fact !

Looking good , starting my build this weekend, will have to get some pictures taken ( it will look remarkably like your design, apologies....lol )

Kev