Adreneline

11 hours ago, Uranium235 said:

More of a corner test than a serious image...

I envy you your lens corner performance.

My SY135 has a dodgy corner as seen in this raw, linear, unprocessed sub - it's no big deal but nevertheless it is frustrating.

I am convinced there is no droop or misalignment of any kind in my mounting arrangement and nothing I do changes the situation.

Once BlurX has done its magic and I've cropped off the edges it does not detract from the overall image.

I still think that for a consumer camera lens it out performs many so called astrographs.

No astro-darkness and just 10 x 300s of S, H and O but it's not turned out too bad considering the lack of data.

Sadr is such a challenge to process - it's determined to steal the show.

Using the latest incarnation/variation of my SY183 setup + 6nm filters.

Will it ever stop evolving?

14 hours ago, Pete Presland said:

Nicely captured, not managed a view of Mercury this time so far.

Thank you Pete.

I was caught unawares on Monday when I saw it, and made a complete hash of trying to record the event - but so pleased that I (and the good lady) had actually managed to see it at all. When I got a second chance I thought I'd best get my act together. I've never knowingly seen Mercury (other than the transit a few years back), so I was well happy. It's been a good few months as late last year I caught a sight of Neptune and Uranus as well - both "firsts".

Adrian

4 hours ago, wimvb said:

Thanks, Adrian. I'm not sure about the exact cause. At first I suspected the focuser extension tube. But since I have more vignetting at the same side, I now suspect that it's caused by the edge of the secondary mirror. Light that hits that edge is diffracted, and that could cause such a flare. Collimation is otherwise very good, as slightly defocused stars show round, symmetrical doughnuts across most of the field. 

When astro season ends by the end of the month, I will try to get to the bottom of this, but for now, I live with it.

These things are so frustrating to track down so I wish you good luck in finding the source of the problem; whatever it does not detract from the excellent image.

Adrian

Nice image Wim and interesting write up - as always.

Looking at your image at 1:1 what is causing this to happen to the stars on the r.h.s.?

The l.h.s. of the image shows nothing similar.

Adrian

Two nights in one week and great views of Mercury setting:

This is one of 84 images I took using a Canon 6D + 50mm lens - click to open full resolution image to see Mercury between the tree and bush:

Used QuickTime to produce a video from the 84 images:

This little video (really short!) was taken with an old Canon G16 - great for low light imaging and star trails/star videos:

Adrian

I have a recollection that one of the Action suites for PhotoShop (Noel Carboni or Annie's Astro Actions) used to include an Action to add spikes.

1 hour ago, Knighty2112 said:

OK, it’s hard to judge the FOV with the video, but if Venus was higher up just out of view then looks like you got Mercury then. Well done! 

Thanks Gus. I tried using a 50mm lens but the view was mainly (upstairs, back) window frame! I then tried my Samyang 85m lens but much the same really. The 135mm was the best but as you say it is hard to judge. I was inspired to look by the AN article this month and didn't really expect to see anything to be honest. Mercury is apparently at its brightest right now but the brightness will decrease as the planet comes higher above the horizon, peaking on the 11th.

If it is clear later I shall have another go and try and pick up something that will define more precisely what I am looking at.

Thanks again.

Adrian

18 minutes ago, Knighty2112 said:

Are you sure this is Mercury? As Venus would have also been around at the time I think higher up to the left there is a good chance it is Venus instead you captured. If this was Mercury I would expect Venus to appear in shot too when Mercury is down low. Venus would have been very obvious. There are some stars that appear near the end, but Venus would have been easily the brightest thing in shot. I was observing Mercury, Venus and Mars in twilight last night and could see Mercury through my binos only, however I do have a bungalow blocking my horizon where it would have set.

Haha! Well I am certain it was not Venus as that was sitting higher in the sky (not to far away from M45) but just out of frame and was clearly the brightest object in the evening sky.

Adrian

Apologies for the terrible (understatement) quality of this video but it was totally unplanned and evolved as it went along.

I am hoping I have captured Mercury setting over the Lincolnshire Wolds but please tell me if I am mistaken.

Captured with a Canon 6D + Samyang 135mm; I really need an intervalometer!

I just couldn't quite get Venus in the same frame as Mercury was setting.

If we get another clear sunset over the next couple of weeks I'll try again.

Adrian

This is a new one for me and I really like it. Wow! Excellent job despite the challenges. Very thought provoking - just stunning. Thanks for sharing. 
Adrian

1 hour ago, wimvb said:

Methinks AI is more A than I.

Would that be for all applications of AI or just GPT?

Adrian

4 hours ago, George Sinanis said:

May I ask why are you taking in the rig?

Purely because I don't like the idea of leaving out, although I am sure the TG would protect it well enough.

4 hours ago, George Sinanis said:

do you have more info on your pier and how you set it up?

As I have no intention of mounting large telescopes on my pier I didn't go mad with a concrete mount - I settled for a modest block just 600 x 600 x 300 mm - that is still a big chunk of concrete! I kept disruption to the surrounding soil to a minimum. To me it feels completely solid and more than up to the task of providing a steady platform for the AZEQ6 and RedCat/SharpStar telescopes. I also routed a mains supply to the mount and a network cable - nothing fancy - just a mains lead with a moulded twin socket. The pet-warming mat is powered from the mains cable and switched to operate 6 hours ON - 6 hours OFF. I did have approval to build a permanent enclosure but this arrangement works more than well enough for me.

I will PM you more photos of the build.

Adrian

On 12/03/2023 at 21:36, George Sinanis said:

anyone has done anything similar (outdoors permanent pier) and how well it works with asiair.

My permanent pier is one of the best things I ever did. The combination of AZEQ6+ASIair-Pro (or Plus) works flawlessly with hard-wired network and pretty well on wifi, but I am on the range limit.

The combination of TG cover and pet-warming pad keeps the mount dry at all times; I always remove the OTA assembly at the end of a session.

Typically takes me 5-10 minutes to be setup and ready to start an imaging session.

HTH.

12 minutes ago, powerlord said:

However got this data a few weeks back with the trusty 200pds and asi2600.

Very nice Stu - you've done a great job on the data.

I couldn't resist having a little play. I too like to see these targets in the wider field context but your M51 is so good it can stand being the star of the show so I did a bit of cropping:

Hope you don't mind.

M51 is one of those targets that really captures the imagination.

Adrian

P.S.

18 minutes ago, powerlord said:

Not been posting many pics recently due to rubbish weather and the building the mk2 observatory.

Trust the mk2 is going to plan.

12 minutes ago, Sarek said:

Really helpful  - thank you!

I don't suppose you remember where you got your dew shield and secondary heater from?

 

I can honestly say I didn't have a problem with dew so I didn't use either - sorry, can't help with that one.  

38 minutes ago, Sarek said:

Is the focuser you refer to? https://www.altairastro.com/diamond-steeltrack-2-focuser-bds-sc-for-schd-teleskopes-30mm-focus-travel--incl-adapter-for-7516-p.asp

I ordered this one:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/baader-diamond-steeltrack-focusers/baader-steeltrack-diamond-rt-for-refractors.html

with this:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/baader-diamond-steeltrack-focusers/baader-steeltrack-diamond-rt-adapter-m90x1-for-refractors-gso-rc-scopes.html

Adrian

2 hours ago, Sarek said:

The model I'm looking at is f9. Initially I'll be using this with a Canon 700D but will probably upgrade to a ASI 533 at some point soon.

2 hours ago, pipnina said:

I think (?) the RC6 struggles to provide a well illuminated and corrected view for APS-C

Just to add one thing - this is a single 120s frame taken with an unmodified Canon 6D (full frame) using the 6" RC at 1370 mm with no calibration frames - all I have done is apply a screen stretch and then a screen capture.

... and yet people claim you cannot use a full-frame sensor with a 6" RC - well I have done and it looks pretty good to me in terms of frame illumination / lack of vignetting.

I also used the RC with a mirrorless Canon M6 MkII (APS-C) sensor :

... this is a single uncalibrated frame - 120s - a simple screen stretch in PI as with the 6D - 1370 mm.

HTH

Adrian

58 minutes ago, Paul M said:

I think I'd have been as well using your collimation method. Laser to center the secondary and do the primary under the stars.

I was happy with this - I know it's not perfect but for a £375 scope it wasn't too bad - taken without the flattener/reducer, L from an ASI1600MM and colour from a Canon 6D.

@Sarek - why do you need a BM when you've got spikes like this - it the focus is off you get tramlines instead of single lines.

2 minutes ago, Paul M said:

Perhaps I'll rethink the focuser if I ever get the impression that it's holding back my imaging! 

I made the mistake of looking at one of my lights in ASTAP and the tilt was crazy - by 'tilt' read 'droop'. With the BDS installed the 'droop' was virtually eliminated. Too much information is a dangerous thing - to the wallet   

1 minute ago, Sarek said:

I like the way you've mounted the ASI Air.  What is the white box next to it?

It is a TP link wifi range extender which worked very well, however, in the end I opted for a hard-wired system - much more reliable.

Can I also point out the little mini-clamp at the front end of the 'gold' vixen bar. This was to provide extra reassurance when mounting the OTA - it prevented the whole lot from sliding out of the ADM clamp whilst I got things tightened up. I use this arrangement on both my RedCat and my Samyang - better safe than sorry!

52 minutes ago, Sarek said:

Is it preferable to mount a guiding scope on top on the scope to help achieve dec balance or is there anoher solution if its mounted on the side using a finder shoe?

I mounted mine (SW-50ED) on the top and even then it was only just possible to balance the DEC with the supplied bottom rail. In the end I added an additional bottom rail (see image below).

54 minutes ago, Sarek said:

How important is a tilting adaptor? 

I upgraded the focus unit to a BDS which has a tilt compensation system built-in, not that I had to use it. The fitted focus unit was really not up to the task.

55 minutes ago, Sarek said:

Do I need a different bahtinov mask - can't find much on this but did find some refernces to a tri-bahtinov?

I found the spider worked just as well as a BM - especially combined with the autofocus in NINA/ASIair.

56 minutes ago, Sarek said:

How do people counter dew on these scopes? would a dew shield be of value?

I didn't have any problems but I am aware some folk use a shield.

56 minutes ago, Sarek said:

What do people think is the easiest way to collimate this type of scope?

I used an inexpensive laser collimator to get in the ball park and then refined it with a star test outside; it is fiddly but I got a really good result with a bit of perseverance.

58 minutes ago, Sarek said:

I've currently been looking at a StellaLyra 6"

Exactly the model I used to own. I sold it last year purely because I'm losing my grip! The old hands are not what they used to be. I got some great results in the time I owned it so it was a reluctant but necessary sale - before I dropped it  

Here's my setup just before I sold it. NOTE!! The counterweight hanging below the lower bar is just a coincidence - it is my CEM25 standing behind the AZEQ6. You can see the 'gold' extension bar I fitted below the RC lower vixen bar to help balance the OTA assembly. The third 'orange' bar is permanently attached to the AZEQ6 saddle clamp and has an ADM clamp attached for mounting the OTA.

HTH with your deliberations.

29 minutes ago, AlcorAlly said:

I've considered buying a large Giottos 1903 bulb blower but it's £40! 

I have the £11.70 version and it works a treat - no complaints.

1 hour ago, SAW said:

Finally processed some data with the Samyang 135mm and 2600MM. Still can't get nice stars in the corners 😢

NGC2244.tif 137.36 MB · 6 downloads

It's almost like the spacing is too great (if you were using a conventional flattener) ....

.. and I'm not sure how best to interpret this ...

... I tend to look for symmetry rather than get too worked up about absolute values.

Adrian

Just now, Adreneline said:

If you are using NINA then I understand there is a plug-in available to analyse sensor tilt/misalignment etc.

P.S. There is a thread on the AstroBin forum where someone has used NINA to completely eliminate tilt - all explained in great detail.