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teoria_del_big_bang

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Posts posted by teoria_del_big_bang

    What is UT offset for UK in KStars

    in Discussions - Software

    Posted

    12 hours ago, lenscap said:

    Change the UT offset for Skipton to zero then press the + button to add a new version of Skipton with the correct (zero)  UT value.

    Then select the old Skipton and delete it with the - button.

    The DST rules should be "EU". We were in the EU when the software was written and are still using the same rule for daylight saving time (British Summer Time) AFAIK

    Thanks that worked fine and now is 0.

    Odd though after a power down it was back at Greenwich as my location anyway. I need to try connecting to my mount anyway and see if it communicates with the internal GPS to get the correct coordinates. I know in the past i have struggled to get this working.

    Just tried it again and after powering down it just goes back to Greenwich. If I check then Skipton is still in the list and I can just celect it so the fact that I made a new location called skipton has worked and is in the memory but for some reason it does not keep the location in KStars.

    Steve

    Raspberry Pi Guiding Newbie

    in Getting Started With Imaging

    Posted

    6 minutes ago, pete_81 said:

    I believe I can connect to the Pi directly through a browser by using the local network on it.

    Yes you can, but like I say in my experience the Wifi does not work well at any sort of distance with the internal WiFi adapter on the RPi and I have found a 2nd usb WiFi adapter or using Ethernet works a lot more reliably.

    Steve

    Raspberry Pi Guiding Newbie

    in Getting Started With Imaging

    Posted

    It may be me but not totally sure what you intend to do here.
    Are you saying you want to mount this new RPi4-4Gb on the mount running Astroberry (or similar) and then use another RPi inside the house somehow ?

    The usual way, as far as I am aware (but not that up on all this so could be wrong) is to have a RPi (either 3 or 4 ideally with at least 4Gb memory) on the mount running Astoberry (or Stellarmate etc) that has KStars included and then that RPi controls all the equipment at the mount (Mount, cameras, Filter Wheel, Focusser, Rotator etc via EKOS / INDI).
    Also you then setup the imaging sequence within EKOS and then that one RPi controls all the imaging and stores the images wherever you want (on the micro SD card or another USB hard drive).

    To control that RPi you could have a USB mouse, USB keyboard and HDMI screen plugged in to the RPi, however that sort of goes against the whole idea of having a cheap lightweight mini computer on the mount itself so it is more usual to remotely control the RPi via a laptop or desktop, using Remote desktop, Teamviewer, VNC Viewer of one of many other such programs from inside somewhere.
    In theory this can totally wireless but without the addition of a USB WiFi adapter the WiFi is quite poor an a RPi 3 or 4 (I think the RPi 3 had an internal WiFi adapter  not sure) so a more robust method is to use a hard wired ethernet connection. 
    Guiding can be done without any effort at all using the internal guider within EKOS, or you can use PHD2 which is also pre-loaded with Astroberry or Stellarmate. 

    Now it is also possible to do something very similar and just run the mount as a Server and run KStars and PHD on your laptop or desktop inside the house, this allows the mount RPi to have less of a load on the processor and KStars can run faster and have a better display with faster update etc on your laptop / desktop.  I think that about right but never used mine in this way so may not bee 100% correct. 
    I run mine with everything on the mount RPi and use my desktop to just connect to it via Teamviewer, Remote Desktop or VNC viewer. My theory behind this is that the weakest link is often the connection between laptop / desktop and RPi at the mount (especially if wireless) and so with everything running on the RPi at the mount if this is lost that is all that is lost and if a sequence is underway imaging your chosen target it continues regardless, you do not need the link. You can reconnect and nothing is lost. If the sequencing software was running on your main computer then the sequence would have stopped and would not restart automatically.

    Now I guess in theory you could use a 2nd RPi as your main computer but not sure what that would gain so can't really comment.

    I think what I have said is correct but I am not over confident on this and do struggle a bit setting it all up (great when it is and its all working) but many on here are very confident, and very helpful. The creator of Astroberry is a member of SGL so cant go wrong using this.

    Steve

    2021 Spring Galloway Star Camp

    in Star Parties & Astro Events

    Posted

    11 minutes ago, Physopto said:

    Hi Steve,

    I am so sorry that you have been caught out. Until just a few days ago there was a chance that we could go ahead with the star camp. But as you know things are getting worse by the minute compared to a year ago almost, when all this kicked off. This new variant is accelerating things to a new level. I was hoping I could wait a week or two more before taking the decission, but the pace of the virus spread has decimated that idea.

    I did hope that I had given enough time to everyone to not get caught out by the cancellation in any way. I can only say in future those needing to hire a vehicle should all try to leave the hiring until a later date, i.e. closer to the star camp start date. Or specify that for this type of reason we can legally get  a refund. To be quite honest you may well find that you are entitled to a refund under these exigent circumstances.

    Keep well and I hope to see you in the autumn.

     

    Hi Derek,

    Sorry, maybe you misunderstood my post, I am waiting a final reply but I spoke to the owner of the business (a family business) and I WILL get most, if not all of my money back. I may have to forgo a small deposit but hopefully okay.

    It was the flooded out SGL one I could not get anything back but to be fair that was a flood and we only new about the cancellation shortly before the event and that was from a private renter.

    So I am really grateful for your forward thinking.

    I did think of just postoning the booking until Autumn but I think it is booke dup and I have not booked yet.

    Thanks though and hopefully will meet up one day 🙂 

    Steve

    2021 Spring Galloway Star Camp

    in Star Parties & Astro Events

    Posted

    Thanks for the heads up and whilst this makes me so dissapointed best to do it now.

    I think it must be me that is the jinx here, I have never been on a star camp and hired a mobile home for the SGL one that was flooded out, never got any money back for that but I have spoke to the hire place for this one (ot the same one) and looks like because it is a few weeks away I may get most of my money back so many thanks for letting us know in good time.

    Lets hope the back end of 2021 brings us all more luck, take care all and stay safe ad hope to meet up with some of you in the near future 🙂 

    Steve

    Heq5 pro mains power

    in Discussions - Mounts

    Posted · Edited by teoria_del_big_bang

    For the mount the supply @Snoani recommends is fine, or  so long as it is 12V and more than 3A with a plug ø2.1 x ø5.5 x 12mm center positive DC jack, so also could use THIS
     

    You can get 12V supplies with a cigarette lighter socket to plug the lead provided with mount into but I would not go that route. The less connectors you have the more reliable it is and the cigarette lighter plugs and sockets are not the most reliable connection wise anyway, and can easily pull out if you knock the cables.

    If you get the ASIair pro then it does use 12V and the same connectors as the mount. I am not sure it needs 5A but the recommended power supply is THIS which is really the same as the two already mentioned. supplying 12V at 5A.

    So you could get two supplies and use one one each or an 8A or 10A supply like THIS but select the 2.1 plug version and a splitter cable like THIS.

    The larger 12V supplies tend to be quite expensive and often it is better, or more reliable, to run the computer and mount from separate supplies anyway so when slewing the mount, that then draws a much bigger current, it cannot affect the computer with electrical noise from the motors.
    Personally I would use two seperate 12V 5A supplies, you just then need the ability to get to 2 mains sockets.

    Steve

    • Like 1

    The Farthest

    in The Astro Lounge

    Posted

    On 02/01/2021 at 21:01, bomberbaz said:

    I have just watched this documentary about Voyager's 1 & 2. 

    Starts from conception, to launch, through the solar system and onto inter stellar space.

    It has many of the original people who worked on it as contributors and personally I found it very interesting and at times, profoundly emotional.

    2 hours long, early on a little slow but once it gets going it is superb.

    https://watchdocumentaries.com/the-farthest/

    Thanks, I will definitely watch that one. That's 2 hours of the 6 week + lock-down sorted 🙂 

    Need to find something to watch or read my books again OR the dammed clouds could go and then I will have lots to to 🙂 

    Steve

    Adventures of Pi

    in Discussions - Software

    Posted · Edited by teoria_del_big_bang

    38 minutes ago, Stuart1971 said:

    Well I already had the Pegasus UPB when I moved to the RPI, so that acts as my USB 2 and 3 hub, and powers all my kit, and the RPI is powered from one of the USB ports 5v 3 amp, now 3amp may seem low, but I have never had an issue with this, as the guys from Pegasus told me that it would be fine,...

    As for Wifi dongle it is this one, although I bought on an offer...

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/BrosTrend-Wireless-Network-Receiver-AC2/dp/B01GC8XH0S/ref=sr_1_7?adgrpid=53509367259&dchild=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA88X_BRDUARIsACVMYD_gO4JllwqID7ug5L0OhjsjcSr4UeMDoeOxysavjYv3yvUxUXx4g8gaAtJzEALw_wcB&hvadid=259134785219&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9041125&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=9483005099257091893&hvtargid=kwd-316334266443&hydadcr=25429_1819498&keywords=brostrend+wifi+adapter&qid=1609686497&sr=8-7&tag=googhydr-21

    Thanks for the links, and advice.
    I will probably go for the easier to use on a RPi one even though a little slower.

    This may be a silly question but if I was not using a network such as when in a remote dark site, and so connecting direct to the hot spot of the RPi,  would I be best using two of these one at the RPi and one on my Laptop or is that not necessary ?

    Steve

    Where to put dew band

    in Getting Started Equipment Help and Advice

    Posted

    2 hours ago, Neil H said:

    Hi I have the bresser 127 with built in dew shield like your I place my strap around the dew shield so it's just in front of lens element so in your pic it will be half way down the dew shield 

    I also had this same question a couple of years ago and came to the same conclusion that this is where it works most efficiently.

    So far I have not had any issues with dew.

    Steve

    Adventures of Pi

    in Discussions - Software

    Posted · Edited by teoria_del_big_bang

    32 minutes ago, stash_old said:

    Some people expect too much of a £58 (RPI 4B+ 4GB excluding other bits) and then become disappointed and make comments

    Yes I think you are right but I think that whether it is a £60 4Gb version in standard case or £140 8Gb version in a top of the range case I think that if it works reliably then what a good solution to run in theory a small observatory practically automatically when using KStars, EKOS / INDI etc. And many do as the computing requirements are probably within the RPi's capabilities.
    I think we know that there are also probably some flakey aspects of some drivers and bits of software as most is free or practically for free and created by various people for little return (and we are forever grateful to them).
    Also the fact that every so often a more powerful RPi appears also helps and faster memory comes along, generally at no more cost than the old ones originally were means that we all could end up with a relatively cheap method of control of our gear.

    Forgive me if some of the terminology is also flakey I certainly, like many into astronomy, am not by any means an expert on any of this.

    I have had my fair share of issues with this setup, and openly admit probably none of it is the RPi at fault,
    But  I continue to use one now it works most of the time (maybe this version will work all the time) because that's ultimately what I would like to use, its relatively cheap, its very light and consumes relatively little power so ideal for remote sites.

    I guess for newbies a nice write up on SGL of this is the most cost effective but reliable way of controlling your setup would be ideal, maybe even offering the cheap way and the way to have it running from a SSD as well would be great, as getting all the bits together and loading the software is not straightforward to everyone.

    • Like 1

    Adventures of Pi

    in Discussions - Software

    Posted

    35 minutes ago, Stuart1971 said:

    The secret to no issues, is a good quality USB 3 powered hub, and a good 4 amp 5v power supply, I only have two  USB connected to the RPI, and that is the Hub and WiFi dongle....works a treat...as for heat issues, mine has never gone above 50 degrees inside while testing, and 36 degrees outside while using and that was a summer evening, much lower in the winter.

    But admittedly, I use a USB 3 wifi external dongle as it’s much faster at 867 mbps and cost £9 from Amazon, and internal wifi is not used, although the hotspot is a available on that if I need it...

    If you do use internal wifi it should be only the 5ghz one, as the 2.4ghz does interfere with the USB, as they share the same BUS....also set to Chanel 44... 👍🏼👍🏼

    Nice info, it's gaining bits of info like this that is getting me towards a reliable Pi system.

    Personally I was trying to get rid of a powered usb hub as it was just an extra bit to mount on the rig or mount somewhere and get power to it and I only needed 3 ports which were readily available on the RPi. But do you power this with the same 5v supply as the RPi ?
    Then regarding the 5V supply so far I have stuck with the original official 3A power supply from Pi Hut meant for RPi 4's I always assumed this was okay. What I will do when I finally get to remote dark sites using 1 12v source I am not sure but do know it needs to be a minimum of 3A so would be looking at 4 to 5A capability .

    Also the 5GHz wifi is news to me and had always left it on auto. So far not really used the wifi too much as I have been using a hard wired ethernet cable just to take one possibly flakey aspect out of the equation. 
    Which wi fi dongle did you use and is it plug and play (almost) or do you have to disable the internal wifi ? 

    Steve

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