dobblob

Looks like a bad case of field rotation. This is an effect of using an ALT/AZ mount with long exposures. 3 minutes is far too long. The star Alnitak is kept central in the field by the goto tracking but you can see the field rotating around it. Typically most recommend not to go much above 15 sec exposures. I would use shorter exposures and more of them.

Yes, I saw the string of the first of the series launched way back in summer 2019. Fascinated but appalled. Then I took some comfort from it realising that when the UFO nuts start reporting them (or anything else) that we can debunk them instantly. No need to call on Venus refracted by swamp gas. Hang on there!....Where are the nutter reports ? Aren't they looking up? Does this mean they now know a satellite from a FTL mother ship?

Remember those wonderful toys we had as kids? "Kaleidoscopes" I think they were called. I'll just trade in my scopes for a couple of those and won't notice the difference as I turn them to the skies...

I was a little embarrassed that I posted some of my images in my gallery for the first time and did not realise that they would ALL be posted sequentially and seen as individual posts. I thought they would all just go quietly into the gallery without anyone knowing! So sorry if it appeared I was hogging the forum. Oooops. I guess there is a setting that prevents this in future. I'll find it...

Is it possible to insert a FULL tank of water ? This way you simulate the event without having to wait for a "natural" fill up (or not!) each time. I presume that as it is inserted it should immediately start to drain. If not then something is blocked. Was the "knock out disc" cleanly removed from the hole? Not possibly still floating around inside and unseen?

Here's a nice little inclinometer $29. I use it myself to determine the altitude of the various trees and buildings around my observing site to compare them to the altitudes given in Stellarium. It has a "HOLD" button to freeze the reading and at 400 mm has a long edge to sight by. Also comes in handy for leveling tripods and mounts. B01K72ELI2 Risepro Inclinometer Amazon item #.

Easy answer: while imaging just park your visual scope next to it and do both! That's why we have two scopes....or more....

I suspect that my nocturnal activities in my drive way may in fact be an effective deterrent to local crime. I am sitting out there with dull red lights glowing from my equipment with occasional weird noises from the scope slewing and the camera clicking away. Occasionally a few ne'er-do-wells attempt an approach into the drive but soon saunter off on spotting this huge bundled up figure operating a bazooka on a tripod. Of course I am not there every night (more's the pity!) but the word probably gets around. "Avoid that neighborhood. There's a nutter out with a canon on some nights!"

Definitely a satellite. Very common to capture. There is also another fainter track center left.

Got a fishing chair but I only go fishing for galaxies. It is the perfect height for my DOB. I have to say that the designers of the SW 8 inch collapsible DOB have judged the position of the focuser perfectly for both low and zenith viewing. Just have to crouch a little and stretch a little. Good for my back.

I took my young son to Cornwall then. A long train journey from Sussex across to the west country hefting our tent, sleeping bags, cooker etc. We set up in a camp site on the coast and I remember we lay in our tent ,heads poking out at the sky and were able to see a wonderful display of the Perseid's the night before. I was hopeful, but alas dawn came with wall-to-wall clouds and the only enjoyment we had were the seagulls going crazy at totality. Now I am here in upstate New York waiting for the 2024 eclipse and hope for better. We'll see.

Just goes to show there is nothing new in this world.

Could this be a battery question? I know nothing of this controller but batteries/supply is always the first place to look in any electronic situation.