jjosefsen

I am a fan of Musk and SpaceX normally, but not when it comes to this. However if SpaceX weren't first, it would just be someone else... At least SpaceX seem to be willing to do "something" to alleviate the problems associated with the reflectiveness of the satellites. The real problem is that there are no global regulation on this...

This is what I did, works well. 🙂

Woah that's an impressive image! The amount of detail is mesmerizing!

I would certainly say so! Very nice!

Sorry to barge in here on this old thread. But I thought it was worth mentioning that V1.10 of NINA (https://nighttime-imaging.eu/) has a "file camera" function. It basically just means that you can use cameras that are not supported by an SDK which enables it to be used directly in astro software, almost as if it was connected. It just requires that you can trigger exposures through some other utility or intervalometer and automatically move the files from the camera to a folder on the pc. The gain is that you can use autofocus, platesolving, auto stretching, inspect images and statistics, dithering, etc.. Thought it was worth mentioning.

I would suspect seeing as well. Had the same experience on Sunday night. Went from clear spiral arms on the galaxy I was imaging, to only being able to see the core. Mean ADU had also risen almost 1500.. Stars were still visible but it was like a faint veil had been pulled over..

Hi Ash, You could have a look on http://www.worldwidetelescope.org/ To take a tour around not only our solar system, but also many deepsky objects. I can also suggest you visit https://www.planetary.org/ There are many great articles and blogs about planetary astronomy in particular, their podcast "Planetary Radio" is also well worth a listen.

I think this is only applied if the capture software has added a piedestal and written the value in the fits headers of the files.. I believe I read it in a description of the new wbpp script online somewhere, but can't find the source now.

Yeah i don't think you need to be worried either. It's a good little scope (I have one) but the focuser is the worst part. Expect to fine-tune this part a bit. I have since upgraded mine to this one: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/skywatcher-focusers/dual-speed-2-crayford-focuser-for-sky-watcher-refractors.html It is much heftier, and smoother. It also required me to fine-tune it a little bit though and the rotation is not great as you can upset the collimation when you do it.

N.I.N.A. has syncronized dithering (experimental feature, but as far as I know it works) if you aren't married to SGP. Haven't used it myself as I don't have a dual rig (yet!).

Apologies if this is hijacking, but I find it is sort of related. Does anyone know of a program that can platesolve and anotate stars up to and including mag19? I can't seem to find reference to more than mag 17.

Yeah that might be where I eventually end up down the road as well (in many years when I can afford it), but I would feel bad about putting an EQ6 and a couple of cheapo fracs into a place like that.

I completely understand, but the price tag for a setup down there though... ouch.. This fall/winther has made me question if it is even worth it to pursue this hobby up here. No darkness during summer, and rain / clouds during the winther.

The individual R-G-B filters from Baader already cuts down on the most normal sources of LP, whether it is enough for your area - well thats hard for me to tell. But I would think stacking filters could lead to all kinds of problems with reflections and so on, so I would try without first.

I used him two years ago for a modified 600D. Worked exactly as I expected, can only recommend. That being said I think as someone already mentioned, this is a side gig for him, so maybe just send him an email and give a day for him to respond.

I can only give my warmest endorsement of the sesto senso unit.. It just works... The software that comes with it is also really easy to use to configure the focus speed, calibration, breaking and all those things.

Thank you do much for this write up @wimvb, so much great info here. Your place looks to be in a great area for Astro and nature in general. Sorry to read about your knee, I hope you make a full recovery. 🙂

Man that looks really good! A well thought out design by the look of it. I particularly like that split roof design. Also your current shed is very nice as well. I hope it's ok I ask a few questions, since I am planning on building something (much smaller) come spring / summer and you clearly are further along in the planning stage than I am. Are you planning a concrete floor or is it a raised wooden construction? If a raised wooden construction, are you worried about moisture comming up from below, making it hard to keep a low moisture environment when not in use? Are the piers "disconnected" from the rest of the floor? I was considering pooring a concrete floor in mine, and then bolting a todtmorten pier to the floor, but I wonder if that is going to be stable enough. Maybe the pier foundation needs to be seperated from the rest of the floor. What software are you creating your drawings in?

Hi. Yes there is. Under the platesolve tab in the imaging window, there is the option to recenter to target. If you setup a sequence there is also the option of slew and center the target.

There are things you can do to make it faster to set up and tear down. I have a pegasus Astro pocket power box mounted on my scope with velcro along with a USB hub. IT allows me to keep everything permanently connected to the scope, cameras, heaters, autofocuser. So I just grab mount, and scope with all electronics and cables connected. Then just a USB cable and power cable to the rig.

Great image! I think I need to redo mine from scratch, I think I have been trying too DBE all that background nebulosity out :S

Just saw this posted on another forum.. https://www.ocregister.com/2019/12/05/irvine-telescope-maker-meade-files-for-bankruptcy-after-losing-antitrust-case/ Doesn't sound too positive. 🤔

Sounds like a string SpaceX Starlink satellites being rasied into orbit. As their orbit is raised they will be spaced further and further apart.

Very nice image and great processing!

Thanks, that is great to hear. I think this is exactly what I would like to build, compact, easy and fast to operate and I won't offend my wallet or my wife for building it.