Xsubmariner

Following your journey is both informative and impressive given the level of attention you afforded the OTA for managing thermal currents. Given I principally use my f8 12” ACF for AP, It was necessary to fit a secondary focuser to manage computer controlled focusing between filter changes. I would have preferred to use the primary focuser but unfortunately Optec discontinued their dedicated motor controller for the Meade f8 OTA’s. Using the primary would greatly improve available back focus, may I enquire if you could provide an assessment of primary focuser quality for achieving fine focus. I liked your collimation crib.

Is the site for camping only or are motorhomes etc permitted?

May I wish Steve every success in all his future endeavours, his books were my preferred reading when I started this hobby in 2016. I do hope he will find time to grace us with some words of wisdom from time to time in the future. AP is a challenging hobby and yes the weather has not helped recently. The good news is the latest generation of Astro cameras and software has enhanced our ability to produce quality images with a reduced quantity of raw data (compared to my initial AP experience). Many thanks to Steve for his contribution to the advancement of AP. Kudos and appreciation to all individuals who continue to support this amazing hobby.

Hi Dave D, as John D said I would download and install the latest ZWO drivers and ASI studio. Then I would fit wide field lens that came with the camera, ensure the focus ring is not cross threaded “could offset the centre”. If this doesn’t give the correct image centre then it’s possible then sensor is mis-aligned. Is your camera fitted with the IR window?

Josfk, I had some limited visual experience before finalising the camera and Nightcrawler focuser settings, and the visual image is excellent as you would expect. I have dewshield with integrated heater that I use with a controller. I tried an additional heater strip around the OTA but it wasn’t needed as the shield heater was sufficient. The dew protection worked well last winter, you can see the frost on the flexible shield but the inside was clear.

I have the 12” f8 ACF and my initial intention was for a dual use setup, imaging and observing, hence I fitted an electro hydraulic pier. Unfortunately due to very limited clear skies, I am reluctant to disrupt the camera setup to use it for observing (I am not worthy). While slightly soft, It works well for imaging galaxies. M94 captured last week, 1.5 hours total integration.

Congratulations to the winners, their images are amazing. 👏 Well done Steve on your first medal, the detail in your Tadpoles was superb. 🤗

It’s arrived 😁. My Atlas of the Messier Objects Second Edition was delivered today and having browsed the content I am overjoyed.

Nice smooth roof. Does the controller have an interlock to enable a mount parked signal to ensure the roof only closes when the scope is parked?

Well I am deeply disappointed. I ordered the book on 10th March through Amazon for its release on 28th March. Now I have a notification it is expected May-October. WHS indicated it was in stock 1-2 weeks, so cancelled order with Amazon and ordered through WHS, a week later I am now notified they are trying to source. Don’t you just love the annoying aspects of internet retail. 🤬

Hi Panos. Welcome to SGL, there’s lots of information across the forums. Martin

NGC2237 - Rosette Nebula in Monoceros captured 2/3, 5/6 March 2024. A total of 41xHa, 28xOiii and 31x Sii frames all 300sec. Integration 8.3 hours. Processed using PixInsight, plus Russell Croman’s Blur/Noise/Star XTerminator, Foraxx Colour Pallette. H,S,O stars processed using Foraxx script. Imaging Kit; TOA150 reduced to 755mm fl, QHY600M with QHYFW and Antlia 3nm HSO filters, Mesu200 mount. Tak60 guide scope with ZWO120mm camera.

Good steer Jeremy. Now ordered, hope you're getting commission? 👏

Thank you Stuart, my poor grammar. My response was intended for the thread author as you say. 👍

A watch of Nick’s video might provide an answer . As he explains ZWO we’re sorry about their design fault but left it to owners to clean up their problem. After owning several ZWO cameras including the dreaded frosting ZWO 071 before the pro version, I decided to switch to QHY and have been very happy. I still own several smaller (non cooled) ZWO’s and one 2600mc which thankfully was after the thermal lube problem. I wouldn’t be too hard on the seller, he did agree to take it back if necessary. I am not saying this was the reason for your problem but thankfully yours was easily resolvable and you probably acquired it much cheaper than a new unit. I have acquired used cameras in the past and they have delivered great value for money. Clear skies and every success imaging with your new camera, the sensors overall performance is a game changer in UK Astrophotography, enjoy.

LBN576 in Cassiopeia known as the Garlic Head or Popped Balloon Nebula. A faint supernova remnant, it lies 10,000 light-years away with a diameter of 98 light-years. Processed using PixInsight core tools plus Russ Croman’s BXT, NXT, SXT. GraXpert and Foraxx script were also employed. Equipment: TOA150 with 0.7 reducer, QHY268M with QHYFW and Antlia 36mm 3nm Ha and Oiii filters. Mesu200 mount with guiding supported by PHD2 using OAG/LoadstarX2. Acquisition controlled by Sequence Generator Pro. Frames: 37x Ha 600s, 34x Oiii 600s Total integration 12 hours. Capture dates: 9/17/18th January 24.

I acquired USB3 to Fibre Optic units for runs between observatories. While they were not compatible with USB2.0 data transfers they were great for my ZWO main imaging camera. The problem came when I acquired replacement QHY268 cameras that would just not function using the FO converters, they remain fine for ZWO though. Each FO converter allowed 2xUSB3.0 connections and were blisteringly quick. I tested one of them with a 64M and 26M camera running simultaneously at the fastest frame rate with not a single frame dropped according to Sharpcap. The best active USB3.0 long cables I have found are Startech 5&10M, currently have 6 running between the control room and observatories.

A pretty picture. 😢 I’ve just realised I am not a Star-Gazer, I’m a Star-Imager 😱

Hi and welcome, there’s lots of informative data within the topic threads.

While I have no experience of an EQ8, I was imaging with my Meade 12”/Mesu200 in ROS three weeks ago during very blustery weather and managed to capture good data, with no obvious problems. I could hear the wind occasionally whistling on the control room roof.

I use an Epson ET8550, It’s an excellent printer capable of all paper sizes up to A3 and greatly benefits from eco tank technology. I recommend this because of its print quality and amazing value for money ink bottles, gone are the pathetic small ink cartridges priced as gold. It also comes with user friendly software and can employ paper calibration data if you can acquire it for your chosen paper.

Paul, I was quoted £600 for insurance from a specialist company which mirrors your experience. Likewise with Gordon my observatory is treated as an outbuilding and limited accordingly. Where I have been a member of various societies associated with other hobbies it is usually the case these groups offer insurance at very good rates for their members. These rates are enabled through economies of scale by virtue of the large membership numbers. In my experience the membership costs of these bodies was paid for through the considerable savings in insurance. I checked the main societies websites associated with Astronomy and none offered preferential members insurance as a benefit. I am led to believe most Astronomy Societies are struggling with poor new membership rates. Perhaps if they were to negotiate preferential insurance rates for members equipment, Observatories and outreach events they may find more people drawn to membership. A win win for everyone.

Welcome to SGL. You will find a lot of useful information within the forum threads.

Kudos to you guys who assemble and disassemble your kit every imaging session, your dedication is admirable. After a couple of months doing just that, I determined to build an observatory before I gave up on AP.

I’m intrigued the same reducer works with both the f8 & f10 OTA’s across the ACF range. The initial documentation released with this product lacks any performance metrics a user can expect across the Meade ACF range. Owner of a 12” f8 OTA I am very interested in a reducer that is dedicated/designed for my OTA. Already the owner of both the AP 0.67x and Lepus 0.62x reducers, I have struggled with either one when using an APS-C camera. Regrettably I am reluctant to invest in any new reducer until I have read some positive user/independent feedback. Keen but watching.