teoria_del_big_bang

I would have thought a strap wrench would put the most force on it if there is enough width for it to grio on.

Steve

Okay, makes sense to me now.

Is this using the ST-4 cable (direct from camera to mount) ?

If so then I do not have enough experience to say what should and should not happen when you ask PHD2 to move the mount manually.

Going back to when you start to sidereal tracking I assume you are doing this via the handset. If so then yes it should start tracking and you normally can hear a very slow ticking from the mount as it tracks very slowly (360 degrees in 24 hours).

Then yes in theory in PHD2 you should be able to move the mount a little extra using the manual guide north, south, east or west. But what I am not sure is whether this also works with the ST-4 cable. If using EQMod to connect mount to computer then of course PHD2 can control the mount via that cable, but with the ST-4 cable it has no direct connection to mount. So I am guessing here but because you are connected to camera then PHD might talk to camera and get that to send the pulses to the mount. So probably should still work but I cannot say that 100% for sure.

Personally I think it still should work:

Set the autoguider speed using the handset to 0.5

6.5 Setting Autoguider Speed • The screen will display “Set Elev. Limits:” in the top row, and “Upper=+XXX. Xo ” at the bottom row. Use the Left/Right keys to move the cursor and use the numeric keys to fill the upper limits. The leading sign can be changed with the scroll keys. Press the ENTER key to end the input and proceed. • The screen will display “Lower=+XXX. Xo ” at the bottom row; fill in the data in a similar way. Some Sky-Watcher’s mounts are equipped with auxiliary encoders on their primary axes to support manually rotating the axes without worrying about losing the mount’s alignment status. Users may turn off the auxiliary encoder to obtain the best pointing accuracy. The auxiliary encoder can be turned on again at any time for manually moving the mount. 1. Access the menu “SETUP\Aux. Encoder” and press the ENTER key. 2. Use the scroll keys to select between “Enable” or “Disable” and press the ENTER key. Note: • After re-enabling the auxiliary encoders, it is recommended to use the direction keys to move both axes for a little bit before asking the hand control to locate an object. • For mounts which do not have auxiliary encoders, the hand control will display “Not availiable !“ For an equatorial mount with an autoguider port, the SynScan hand control can change the guiding speed of the port. 1. Access the menu “SETUP \ Auto Guide Speed>” and press the ENTER key. 2. Use the scroll keys to choose one of the following guiding speeds list: 0.125X, 0.25X, 0.5X, 0.75X, 1X, and then press the ENTER key

Also in PHD2 click on the brain, then select the guiding tab. Make sure you have the correct focal length on the calibration section (206 mm in mine). Then click on Advanced.

Then in the box that appears first click on Reset.

make sure  you have the correct focal length, pixel size of your guide camera.

Ensure the guidespeed is set to 0.5 (same as in handset), select 12 calibration steps

Then click on OK to close that box and also then OK on the Advance setup box.

Then click on the connections icon bottom left of PHD2. 

Then Make sure you are connected to your camera. In the box next to Camera make sure you select the correct camera and click on connect. If all is working the connect symbol ringed in green should turn from red to green.

Make sure you select on camera next to mount.

Then you can close that box.

Then try again.

If that doesn't work then I admit it is out of the realms of my knowledge of PHD2 because it may be you cannot do this wth the ST-4 cable anly with a direct connection from computer to mount - but try it it may work.

Sorry I cannot be any surer that this I hope somebody with more experience can chip in here.

Steve

Can you send me a link to the instructions you used ?

I am not sure what the manual controls are in PHD2, it's not something I have ever used.

The suggestion to try it out during daylight was to get the guidescope to focus then to focus on stars will need some small further adjustment but you will be somewhere near and at least should see some stars although very bloated until you get correct focus on the stars themselves.

 I personally am not sure what can be done with PHD2 during daylight but will have a look at these instructions it may well just be something I have not come across.

Steve

Sorry to sound silly but do these dates include the night of 16th march or is it pack up and go 16th ?

Steve

I found a couple and sent them emails to see if they can do anything for me 🙂 

Steve

I am now looking into maybe hiring a small campervan for the duration of the Starcamp. I think it will be better for my old bones rather than a tent 🙂 

I thought it might be easier to hire one closer to the campsite rather than local to me because usually the pickup times are in afternoon and drop off times around 10 am, meaning I would be getting there late and in dark and would have to leave very early as I have a good 5 hour drive. Other option is to pay for 2 extra days hire.

So to the point does anyone know of such a campervan hire place near the campsite or at least on the way from Yorkshire to west Scotland ?

steve

5 hours ago, Sp@ce_d said:

I must have tried nearly all. I went with SGP for a while because of the promise of dual scope support but it never materialised. Trying to maximise the rare UK clear skies I got very frustrated trying to use a dual rig & then a triple at one point with different software. I'm lucky enough to have built my own obsy and it was the much missed Per who in the end persuaded me that ACP was the way to go.. eye watering yes, but then so are Astrodons & Chromas!! I had discounted it before because it only supports one scope at a time but the thing is once I got the hang of it.. & yes it may be "just a bunch of scripts" .. it made such a difference.. far out performing managing a triple shooter all night with no sleep for sky time!. So I fully automated the Obsy. I can go to bed with a cloud filled sky.. wake up to a cloud filled sky .. but checking the catch in the morning it's been opening up grabbing subs, closing with bad weather & then opening.. etc. For the UK's weather its ideal to grab those rare gaps. The scheduler will keep it going for months.. years even. I've literally not had the need to go into the obsy for months at a time. In fact, I still have data going back a few years now that I just haven't got around to processing! So yeah, I'd have probably given up through lack of sleep alone if I hadn't gone down the automation route with ACP.

Sounds like you have achieved what most imagers dream of (and with plenty of sleep to dream with 🙂 ).

I also guess that it does raise another point about imaging, or sequencing, software. What is required by somebody, like myself, with a scope and mount that I have to get out when weather permits, or even somebody with a permanent pier but still no obsy, is totally different to what somebody with a fully automated obsy ideally requires. And then as you mention anybody with a dual or triple rig also needs much more flexibility and ways and means of handling data.

Steve

13 minutes ago, DaveS said:

 "If you have to ask how much..."

 

I understand what you mean, I must but another lottery ticket I think. 🙂 

That said then is it just that we are expecting too much from free, or at best fairly inexpensive, software ?

I am capable of writing windows applications, but not to the level of any of the sequence software mentioned here, but I would imagine even if i were capable the end product would be very much something I required rather than a package suitable for all of us to use. I think we are all very individual with our own thoughts and needs and very difficult to cater for everyone. 

Or am I just thinking too much here ????    Probably 🙂 

Nice one 🙂 

11 minutes ago, DaveS said:

The ASA software package is written for the remote operation of professional robotic imaging set-ups.

I'm seeing a lot of "new" sequencing packages, SGP, NINA, EKOS etc, but to me they are just playing catch-up to what the ASA software has been doing for years beyond count.

That being said, Sequence and Autoslew are both (Sequence more than Autoslew) badly in need of bringing up to date.

Forgive my ignorance but is ASA same as Astroart ?

Steve

2 minutes ago, Kinch said:

Well as usual we all do our own thing and swear by the software we use - nothing new here. I started with AstroArt then went over to SGP. SGP did go through a 'bad patch' with many problems coming to the surface. At that stage I actually bought Voyager but to me, that is now going through the 'growing pains' that SGP has gone through (....personal opinion!). I continue to use SGP and am extremely happy with it....it does everything I want it to do.

So - no rant - each software fills the various little niches that its users want/need....  but also I think all have evolved by their users suggesting changes to the core programme. They all have a place....in fact the more out there the better (thinking of Price with that statement).....and just use the one you want ....and leave it at that!

Difficult for me to comment much on this. I am pretty new to the scene (Only been imaging for little more than 2 years) the first sequence software I came across was APT and apart from forcing me to include a couple of things in the filenames or directory name I really did like it and did most of the things I needed to do.

I am now trying to use KStars and all that goes with that. Again some things I don't like but a lot I do like and some features I did not seem to have in APT (although I would do nothing but praise this software).

Unless you are capable of writing your own software I guess you just have to use what is available and often it is a case of using what you are used to because changing will probably mean a few lost nights of data while you get used to some different software that ultimately does the same as the old software.

Steve

3 minutes ago, ollypenrice said:

 

This is what I want to do:

Frame.

Focus using FWHM.

Set up a sequence: filter/ exposure time/binning/number of captures.

Name those files. (Hello, that means I want to name them with no help from the software.)

Run.

But no, that is far too simple for the likes of SGP who know far more about what I want to do than I do.

What the hell is wrong with these people?

Olly

Yes I know what you mean. I never used SGP, tried it for a few weeks but could not get to grips with it, but very much liked APT. This seemed to give you a good choice of the filenames and file destination but still insisted on at least 2 things you had to include in the filename which did not bode well with what I wanted to name them. but apart from that I did like most of what APT was doing and love the fact I was not charged a ridiculous price for using it.

Having been on the scene a bit more now since I started this thread I realise there are so many more options than I included.

Steve

9 minutes ago, JeremyS said:

I use AstroArt, but can’t see it on the list

Sorry but as said I was totally unaware of so much that was available and still a little amazed at what is out there.

Steve

Olly,

I cannot disagree with any of that, I have seen many of your images and it obviously works.

To be honest being so new to all this I amazed what software is out there for this, when I started I thought it would be so specialised that I would not have much choice in what software I would use.

How wrong could I bee both in capture software and processing software.

I think good software helps but at the end of the day you are taking a number of snapshots of a certain target with a certain scope and camera and the end result is down to your equipment,  your viewing (LP and visibility) and selection of target and exposure etc.

The software is just a help (or hinderance) 🙂 

Steve

Great. Just need to see you can get focus now. I always found it easier to check focus works okay during daylight. Focus on starts at almost infinite distance will not be the same but should not be too much different. In my experience I have needed about 10 mm maximum more focus in the outward direction to focus on stars as opposed to distant land based objects.

steve

2 minutes ago, Rustang said:

lol, yeah just found that myself, thats what you get for buying, putting to one side for a while then forgetting what you brought!! I can be an idoit sometimes! So I unscrew the end to focus then lock with the ring im guessing

Honestly, do not be worried about about any post or question we have all been there (and to some extent I still am). We are all willing to help 🙂 

Steve

The software is just a stand alone application to run the camera so you can see images during daylight as well as night time.

You need a focuser on the guidecam to bring the guide camera to focus.

Steve

ASICAP

ASICAP

But you need some adjustment to be able to focus.

Crisp focus is not needed for a guidescope but needs to be near focus so you will need to be able to adjust the distance between guidescope and camera.

Steve

I have booked, looking forward to it. I hope at least the current situation has improved by then.

I have been into astronomy for around 3 years now but still consider myself a newbie, I have been  imaging for a year + but still learning. 

I more consider myself a newbie to star parties and generally interacting with other astronomers. I am not normally one to interact with others in any hobby I have done in the past  but really want to meet others on SGL I have spoken to albeit just electronically in the past.

Anyway it is booked now so see you then 🙂 

Steve

I am not decided yet, need to check the dates anyway, but if I go this would be my first star camp, as the last SGL was cancelled, so not sure exactly what to do.

I hope you don't mind a Newbie.

Can somebody give me some more info ?

I assume you contact the campsite directly, are there electric hook ups ? At the moment not sure what I would be doing. If my funds allow I would like to hire a camper van for the week, but otherwise will just bring car and a tent so wondered if I can book a pitch suitable for either or have to specify at time of booking.

Is the whole campsite for astronomers or just certain fields ?

Sorry for so many questions but would love to start attending these gatherings 🙂 

Steve

A bit late but:-

Steve

I would try without power first. If that doesn't work you can get an extension lead for the lead and should be fine just don't go too long otherwise the voltage drop might cause some issues but you probably only want another 1M.

Also put a little masking tape around where the extension socket joins the plug, just one less thing then that can come loose.

5.5 x 2.1mm DC Power Plug to Socket CCTV Extension Lead Cable 1m

Just check the pin is 2.1 mm, most are but I suppose it could be 2.5 mm so you would have to search for those instead (same but 5.5 x 2.5)

Steve

 EDIT: I guess the 1M extension may just be enough to loop round to the tripod leg which would be a convenient place to tie wrap it and you can then plug and unplug the actual power supply in to that each time (assuming it is not a permanent setup).

Personally I think velcroing it, or some other method of attachment, to where you suggest is not a bad idea.

@MarkAR is spot on saying the fewer cables dangling is best, and so the obvious answer is to fix it somehow to the scope rig itself then you only have one USB cable to loop round back to the computer.

Well yes that is true to an extent, but, I guess you would always have at least 2 USB cables in the loop to the scope as if mounted on scope then there would be the usb from the mount..

Also my personal preference, is not to run the main imaging camera through the hub but to use a totally separate lead right back to the computer, I just think running camera usb leads via hubs is asking for trouble, but that might just be me. But depends how many spare USB ports you have on computer.

Then it is down to how many other usb leads do you need to run back from the scope itself, Guide camera for sure but do you intend to fit a focuser or other items requiring a USB ?

If you have several items on scope that require a usb cable then yes mount it on the scope however you can.

If not then where you suggest is as good as any, especially if you have a power lead to run to it, as the cables would be the same either way (either guide camera to hub if where you suggest, or mount to hub if on scope).

Steve

Very nice image. I just know you will love this scope 🙂 

Steve

This thread here might be worth a read:

what-is-st-4-guiding-and-what-is-ascom-guiding

In that thread is a link to a great little guide:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qkRRBqBpHHsKHBXioOE6-upq8R4WK5i0/view

One section of that guide says the following:-

"ST4 Cable or ASCOM Pulse Guiding?
As you may be aware, there are two typical methods of sending guide corrections to the mount. Some
cameras may be connected directly to the mount by means of an ST4 cable, so guiding corrections are
sent by means of electronic signals to the mount controller board. Alternatively, guide corrections may
be sent through software via the mount driver (typically the ASCOM platform and drivers on a Windows
PC).
Which is ‘better’? The reality is that neither method is intrinsically better than the other. There is no
performance advantage in using an ST4 cable over using ASCOM pulse guiding, as the time taken for
corrections to reach the mount is minuscule compared to the duration of even a 1 second guiding
exposure.
If you are using an auto guider which calculates its own guiding corrections on the camera, then using
ST4 may make things simpler as you can do away with one set of drivers on the laptop (or not use a
laptop at all if capturing images directly on a DSLR memory card). We are talking about PHD guiding here
though, so I’ll assume that isn't the case.

- If you wish to use an ST4 cable with PHD guiding, you should select ‘On Camera’ from the PHD ‘Mount’
menu to tell it to send guide commands via the camera’s ST4 port.
- If you wish to use ASCOM pulse guiding you would select ‘ASCOM’ from the mount menu, and choose
the appropriate mount from the dialog when you press the ‘connect to mount’ icon on the PHD tool bar.
- For non-ASCOM mounts supported by PHD, you’d choose the appropriate mount from the menu
instead."

Steve