Xsubmariner

Have you considered a drive system for opening and closing the roof. With my ROR I utilised a sliding gate system. With some straightforward modification of the motor assembly I mounted the motor on the ROR wall top. The metal drive rails were mounted to a mild steel rail which I had attached to the observatory roof. To Gide the toothed rail through the motor drive I used the sliding stop that came with the kit. There are 2 remote controls which also come with the gate system, you can also fit a push button switch. I removed the gate built in stop switch and fitted 2 roller switches that stop the motor when the roof is fully open and closed, you can stop the roof at any point in-between by pressing the start button again. The gate system comes with an inhibit function on the motherboard so I utilised this feature with a wire loop that goes to a mini roller switch on the mount RA arm and a magnetic reed switch on the DEC arm. Only when the mount is in the parked position will the circuit complete and allow the roof control to function. In summary the kit consisted: Gate automation system £139 ( motor/ control system, steel drive rails x8, 2x remote) (just seen a similar new system on a bidding site for £126) Roller switches x2 £20 (first cheap ones were rubbish) get good quality. Reed & mini roller switch (came in pack or 3 so some spares) £10. Already had some mild steel rails that I welded together. Here are some pictures of the system fitted, it works great and was relatively cheap compared to a specialist system. Hope this is of some use to you.

Great to see your observatory up and sealed. Having just read this thread from the start it is clear you have risen to the many challenges presented during the journey. Your dedication and perseverance is a great example for anyone thinking of building their own observatory. Now looking forward to reading about your automation and commissioning experiences.

Hi and welcome to SGL. Hope you get it sorted.

Hi Spaceboi, given your query covers automation, planetary imagery and equipment compatibility, may I suggest you start a new topic under Beginners: Getting started with imaging. That way your topic will get the appropriate exposure and likely wider support.

It is embedded within the ASIAIR software so comes with the device.

It uses a version of PHD.

You might like to consider an ASIAIR and remote focuser, (mini computer with all software to give plug and play equipment imaging) an easy way to create a fully automated imaging setup. Note it will only work with ZWO equipment i.e EAF focuser, CMOS imaging/guide cameras. But it will work with other makes of DSLR cameras, you will need to check it will work with your DSLR’s. Once put together the whole rig is controlled from an apple or android device using the ASI App, I believe there is software to run apps within a PC. I have included an image of my mobile setup using the ASIAIR, I control the complete system from an IPad. Setting up the equipment configuration is straight forward and the GUI is easy and intuitive. In this type setup there is only one cable that needs to be run between the imaging rig and mount, power. I have included extra power from a DC fuse box to the rig and mount, just me over engineering. Note - you can configure the WiFi to connect to your home WiFi and control the system from anywhere in the home, provided you have connectivity.

Hi Gary, welcome to SGL a good repository for words of wisdom much needed when starting out in this hobby. Might I suggest you start with some generic searches to extract information that will greatly help in avoiding early mistakes with buying your first equipment setup. Enjoy.

Hi Junare, and welcome to SGL. Looking forward to reading your future contributions.

The telescope is a SW 200p, a pervious original owner acquired it with the Neq5 which he upgraded to an NEQ6. I then acquired the Scope and NEQ6 from him and the like new scope has sat in my store ever since.

Welcome to SGL, you will find many like minded members who aspire to capture and process quality Astro photographs. It is a great hobby that can be addictive and frustrating at the same time.

Hi and welcome to the SGL forum. Enjoy your new hobby.

Image looks great and interesting re-configuration of the lens. Nice to see the camera getting used by an expert.

Quite a wide statement, is your question targeting the U.K. or holidays world wide?

Haha, I like it. 😂 tempted to change my name to Mr Overkill. Some might say this retaining wall I built last month falls into the same category. A great location for another observatory, but alas my wife would do a “Kill Bill” on me.

Hi And a warm welcome to SGL, the ZWO1600 coupled with an Esprit will provide an good image capture setup may I enquire what mount will drive the kit?

You can’t beat a 1 m square by 4’ deep lump of concrete. It is future proof should you upgrade your mount and pier in the future. Not a Huge cost increase but better than having to start from scratch should you decide to upgrade to a high load Astrophotography setup in the future.

Hi Matt, welcome to SGL. I hope you get the mount sorted and commence your journey into Astrophotography.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading this thread, your engineering and construction skills are most impressive. The finished observatory is wonderful, reflecting a high attention to detail and quality finish. You have my admiration and definitely earned a party.

Unless we are talking very high specification specialist equipment I would always go with the matched focuser/reducer where available, thereby removing the possibility of mismatch problems.

Welcome to SGL, it starts with a DLSR then....... who knows where it will end. Very addictive hobby you’ve started.

Just to get back on topic a picture of my latest Frac 😍 and yes it came with a handle should you be interested. 😏

I’ve just purchased my 2nd ZWO1600mm pro and until ZWO market a better mono cmos for less than £2k it is still a very good value for money camera.

Reviewing the list of equipment your father was building a very nice imaging setup and it is great that you intend learning to use the equipment. May I offer a simple review of the equipment and it’s function. Eq6-R-Pro : Ideal Editorial (EQ) Mount well suited to the chosen equipment weight and portability, able to deliver the necessary tracking accuracy to support long exposure imaging for Deep Sky Objects (DSO) ie galaxies, Nebula. Also a good imaging mount with Goto (ability to automatically put the telescope on a chosen sky object - once aligned) capability. William Optics 132: A high quality imaging/visual scope. It is designed to give a colour aligned, high contrast and sharp image, viewed or camera. ZWO guide scope: can be used with an eyepiece as a finders scope or as a guide scope with a suitable camera. ZWO 294MC Camera: Good sensitive single shot colour imaging camera with built in cooling ability to lower the sensor temperature, well suited for DSO imagery. ZWO 290 mini: Ideal guide camera for guiding the mount when long exposure imaging. Can also be used as main imaging camera ie planetary. ASI Air: simple complete imaging system controller software on a computer- once configured for the fitted equipment it enables automatic control of the Imaging System (alignment/goto/tracking and guiding and sequencing of image capture and stacking) user interaction is enabled via an App on an iPad/smart phone or other WiFi enabled device. In summary, you have a great set of equipment that will ably support either visual or long exposure DSO imaging operation. There are many videos and tutorials online that will improve you learning and this forum is a font of knowledge with many willing members who are keen to help when/if you get stuck. I hope you take up this hobby and get as much pleasure as we all do. Should you decide this hobby is not for you and you decide to sell, may I suggest that you review used prices online before parting with your inheritance. All the equipment you listed is highly desirable and there is good demand in the used market for your equipment. Good luck and clear skies

Hi Adam, absolutely agree that the choice of calibration frames collected is down to personal preference and what an individual wants from their images.