smr

Hi, I love this nebula but haven't imaged it before, would like to give it a go this winter. However, for my FL (430mm) on my Z73 it doesn't fit in well so I'm going to be using my 55-250 at 250mm. Will a heater band around the lens hood keep the lens clear? If not should I even bother using the lens hood and instead just wrap it around the lens element and focus ring? Am I right in thinking that this should be a good target with a stock DSLR as it's a reflection nebula. I imagine I'm going to need a lot of subs to reveal this faint target, but I don't mind ploughing in a fair bit of integration time. Any advice appreciated. Actually I could use my refractor I think, I'd have to go for a portrait shot but it fits in quite nicely. The only thing is it'll really take some work trying to frame it and then see if it's in the shot, guess I'll have to open a sub in PS and stretch to see if I've got the nebula! Joel

Yeah i was going to say.. same sensors arent they

Yes I saw that beta testing was available. I don't meet the criteria for testing one though. Here are some charts released today by QHY for their 268C... Not sure I really understand them, what do they mean and are they good results?

Hi, Here's my latest rendition of Messier 31. 5 hours of 5 minute subs.

Hi, I have been imaging deep sky objects for a good couple of years now and would like to start looking through my telescope as well. What do I need? I have a Zenithstar 73 scope and HEQ5 Pro. What do I need to buy and attach to the scope so that I can look through it and what should I be able to see in terms of dso's etc.? I have bortle 5 skies.. Thanks for any help. Joel

Yeah almost forgot!

oh a little OT but what aperture should I stop the lens down to to avoid coma ? Would f/2.8 be good?

literally just bought that coowoo band the other day so will use that idea thanks. I'll be using the 50mm on my HEQ5 Pro so I doubt I'd need to guide.

Superb, probably my fav nebulas, the HH & Flame. I love both images, with and without stars. Without it's definitely easier to focus on the clouds and gasses and look at the structure and detail but both great. Images like this completely remove the idea of upgrading to an OSC (from DSLR) out of the question. I'd imagine there's no way can you get this level of detail in an OSC given the same integration time and Ha filter.

Hi I've only used my 50mm 1.8 lens once for astrophotography for a cygnus widefield shot, but that was in the Summer when I didn't need to use dew prevention. I'm just wondering how to keep the lens from dewing up on a frosty night as where the focus ring would be covered by a dew band or is not a problem ?

Could a Mod please put this in the 'Equipment and getting started' sub-forum ? It's a video intended for people getting started in the hobby so I think it would be better suited there perhaps.

Hi, I've uploaded a video to my astro channel which I thought may be of some help to beginners in the hobby. After I'd bought my HEQ5 I needed to figure out how to power it and what I needed to buy and so this video explains what equipment and power I use to run everything off the mains supply.

Updated specs on ZWO's website here... looks like a great camera. Think I may buy one. https://astronomy-imaging-camera.com/product/asi2600mc-pro-color

Hi all, I'm just wondering, given that the retail price is around £1k let's say, for the 294, and double that for the forthcoming 2600/268C, how are they worth 1k more? If they're worth 1k more at all?

Thanks very much

Yes please Richard, I would appreciate that.

Is it possible to have a play with the data in Photoshop? I don't understand what files I'd need to download. I can see there's a stacked xisf file which is for PixInSight ?

That's a stunning HH. So clean and smooth with great detail.

Thank you Steve.

Thank you very much Steve. Still got the HitecAstro dew controller, not binned it, if that's what you mean?

Funnily enough I've just sent you an email 2 minutes ago Steve, asking if the strap is covered under warranty. I ordered it from you in October 2018. Not sure why it happened but from posting how I connect my equipment together and the replies it seems to me that I'm connecting things ok. I also noticed the cable itself getting very warm when connected, compared to the cable I've only just ordered from you this week (the 2" version) which was cold to the touch when in use.

I wonder if buying something like this would be better... https://www.amazon.co.uk/COOWOO-Dew-Universal-Telescopic-heater-07/dp/B075XJCKD1/ref=sr_1_2?crid=89KGX78QXM4E&dd=U9fd0SahGCSO6w_kPwY9kg%2C%2C&keywords=dew+heater+straps&qid=1575106196&refinements=p_90%3A5381145031&rnid=5381144031&sprefix=dew+strap+%2Caps%2C150&sr=8-2 And power it via USB off my laptop ? I'd need to buy a USB Hub for my laptop as I think I'm using all USB ports, but they're cheap. Or one of these.... https://www.amazon.co.uk/COOWOO-Temperature-Regulator-Universal-Telescopic/dp/B07MHGW4DG/ref=sr_1_1?crid=89KGX78QXM4E&dd=U9fd0SahGCSO6w_kPwY9kg%2C%2C&keywords=dew+heater+straps&qid=1575106196&refinements=p_90%3A5381145031&rnid=5381144031&sprefix=dew+strap+%2Caps%2C150&sr=8-1

The triple 12v socket can be used for a maximum of 8amps. But surely two heater bands don't use 8amps? It's just a coincidence that the day I used a second dew strap for the first time, the first dew strap (which had been absolutely fine for a good year or so) started melting itself.

What could have caused this ?

Hi, I need some help please! I've been running my imaging rig quite happily for some time now but I had to order a 2" dew strap for my guidescope the other day. So today I connected everything up and connected the new guidescope strap. Whilst setting up, and fortunately I noticed it whilst I was setting up and not in the house, my telescope dew strap (4") started emitting some wisps of smoke. Luckily I realised it wasn't my breath under my head torch and was indeed smoke, then I noticed a small orange flame lighting up where the cable goes into the heater band. It's melted that part of the cable. Something a bit awry with power and amperage then I assume. I run my rig off the mains. So I have an extension cable from the house (going into an RCD adapter) out into my dribox into a 4 way plug extension socket. Plugged into the 4-way is a 240 Mains to 12V voltage converter. Then I have this 12v multisocket thing below and then a hitec astro 2 port dew controller plugged into that (also below) So what's a better and safer way of connecting my dew straps to something? Here's what I have....