Space Bat

M51 is fairly large and noticeable...a modest scope would pick it up even with small subs.  

Better?

Still getting to grips with this new camera....this was 0 gain offset 10 and 25 subs LRGB L 60 secs RGB 90 secs and Ha 180 secs.    Ha to me looks overcooked.  

M51_RGB_Ha.bmp

Welcome 

Welcome Jeff.  🙂

RGB_H.bmpRGB_H_clone.bmpHeavy going trying to tease out some detail within this tricky object.  Taken with the CPC 925 and 1600mm Pro, Processed in PI 

You have a powermate so you need to look at better spacing of eye pieces so can combine it...without overlapping and being close to the others like the 9 & 5.5 and the 25 and 9.  Unless using the powermate for imaging. 

Take a look 

http://astronomy.robpettengill.org/blindSmartPhonePolarAlign.html

Polar alignments can be a daunting task.. it takes practice!  If you persevere eventually you will be aligned in minutes. 

You can get pole scopes for forks btw

Wow 

Wizard nebula,

Welcome back

Hi Pietro, it would help to know what scope you have 

Apologies if this has been covered...

Like many downloading the new CFM and trying to open it has been a real pain.....looking for solutions here and CN had some useful guides but like am sure for some proved no use.

Anyway I found this site https://windowsreport.com/jar-files-not-opening-windows-10/

And basically skipping down to solution 3 clicked the link and downloaded Jarfix - now it comes up real quick as a splash and its gone again...I thought not again.  However when you now click on your extracted download for CFM it now opens.....happy days can now fix the GPS bug and updated some stuff which is annoying the heck out of me  and I will now be ready for 2022 (our next clear night)

Space Bat

How accurate are you polar aligning?

Hi Neil,

Unfortunately our eyes are the weakest link when it comes to visual Astronomy we can not see colours like a camera 🙂 however a good dark site and dark adaption your scope will give terrific views.  You just need to hone your skills and visual  awareness.  Hunt for the brighter deep sky objects Orion Nebula will blow your socks off as will Jupiter and Saturn.  

The slew in PHD is miniscule compared to the mount control.

Do you have a hand controller that can plug into mount and computer?

Have you seen if manual guide function works in all directions?

Also all Ascom drivers need to be installed first.  Then any others such as guide camera , mount and PHD  etc

Nice image.  Some excellent rift detail.  

I set everything up with laptop this is left by the scope.  I then use tablet to operate scope through sky safari on the Celestron skyportal plugged into the CPC.  Everything else is controlled by using Teamviewer I can run everything from my tablet accessing the laptop from wherever in the house or out.  You can be out with the wife and take images at the same time 😁

Possibly see what societies are near you, find out it there is a viewing session planned in near future and see if can pop along.  Dependant on numbers you could get to look through a variety of scopes and budgets.

One and the same - he moved to the states and worked his magic on scopes for AP such as the 1200 and Software Bisque with the paramount..

He has started Catamount Systems so early days.....

Catamount Systems

I recommended the site (SGL) and posted hime the link of the site for him to check out - so hopefully he will stop by at some stage when he is free and perhaps catch up with some old friends.

Mods: I hope me posting about rob's new venture and link to his site as requested doesn't break any rules (supplier rules) if so please advise and will ammend.

PS: your kind words am sure will bring a broad smile to his face

Chris

Rob used to work for/with them

Just thought I would post this as a beacon for Rob

Anyway he has started his own company and is getting up and running - so we could see something better than his previous creations such as the paramount ME

Some people may not be aware that Rob has been the designer and inventor of some of the most advanced and technically proficient mounts of their class.

Chris