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Posts posted by Xsubmariner
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I concours with Matts response, the added embuggerance of setup and finding guide stars out ways any benefit to guiding setups less than 1000mm. You don’t mention if you are experiencing problems with your current guidescope arrangement.
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Fortunate to gain experience in both camps at an early stage, I quickly realised their modus operandi were quite different. As my imaging setups increased I ended up with a mix of CCD and CMOs camera’s across my imaging rigs and mobile system. Today I have only one CCD SX 36 and several latest generation CMOs camera’s, QHY and ZWO.
A review of images across various forums would suggest CCD and CMOs (latest Gen) are comparable in ability to deliver quality images.
The main driver for me migrating to CMOs is the U.K. weather and general lack of quality skies for imaging. My CCD camera’s with 10-30 min frames produced too many incomplete data sets. In believe CMOs camera’s are just better suited to U.K. imaging.
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Thank you guys for your informative replies. Having initially considered saving the calibrated light frames and only processed master images would offer the most efficient data archive option, Lucas has reminded me of the importance of retaining raw frames for scientific purposes (photometry and spectroscopy).
In light of the advice you all kindly provided, I have decided to archive; the Raw files, master cal files and final processed Master images.
This exercise has also reminded me of the importance for a structured file naming convention that supports not only day to day data storage but includes archiving and data mining in the future.
Thanks Martin
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Welcome back to the hobby and SGL, someone from your area should get back to you with advise on societies in your vicinity.
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Thanks Dave for your informative reply, I agree ditching intermediate files free’s up drive space and reduces demand on archive storage. Any other opinions out there?
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Open question to AP astronomers, what data type is best to Archive?
Having started my “end-of-year” data clean up I am amazed at the high amount of stored image data. Running 3 systems fitted with new high pixel cameras the scale of the activity is daunting. With each image frame size between 50-117Mb I appear to have about 4TB of data across 3 PC’s that needs management.
May I raise the following points for consideration;
What data type for archiving:
1. Light and Cal data in their raw state - Highest amount of data to archive.
2. Raw Lights with master Cal frames only - Reduced level of data.
3. Only calibrated ( Pixinsight or other data processing software) master lights - should they be Cal only (set of registered frames) or Cal and integrated ie master Lu, Re, Gr, Bl, Ha, S2, O3. lights.
4. What/any ( Pixinsight or other data processing software) stage processed files ie raw RGB, Lrgb, HSO etc.
Any thoughts on this matter is greatly appreciated.
Martin
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Hi and welcome to SGL from South Wales.
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Hi Peter, welcome back to AP. You will find a lot has happened in the world of AP over the last 10 years.
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Hi David, you will find plenty of helpful members who are willing to assist you with starting EAA, Astrophotography. Welcome to the forum.
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Fully concur with “Skipper Billy” statement, my Mesu mounts performance is similar to the above. Due to flexibility and ease of use, I replaced my perfectly working Paramount MX with a second Mesu. Now no more maintenance, grooming or T-Point remodelling after changes to the setup.
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A for me also.
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A most enjoyable read with a good babble intro. Great mini observatory that clearly supports you operating mode. Now if your names had been “Bill & Ted” an amazing journey awaits.
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Thanks Simmo and Space_d for your kind words.
The setup was; CFF160+flattener, QHYFW(Antlia 3nm HSO)/OAG (LoadstarX2), QHY600m and Mesu200. I haven't had the opportunity to try the filters on any bright stars yet.
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It was great to see all the wonderful NGC6888 images created for the last FLO imaging competition, so I thought I would share my image captured in Wales.
This is my first light image of NGC6888 taken with 3nm Antlia 50mm unmounted Ha,OIII and SII filters.
The following frames were taken over 2 nights, 7/8September using the ROR system:
16x10 min Ha, 13x10min OIII and only 5x10min SII (ran out of clear sky)
While not intentional, I was excited to see the data also captured the Soap Bubble in the lower right corner. The data was processed using Pixinsight.
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Wow, what a disappointing response you received from Avalon. Having owned an M-UNO, I was considering upgrading my current mobile mount (NEQ6) to a Linear at some point. Your experience has focused my thoughts .
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2 boxes ordered thanks for the heads up.
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QHY quote supply voltages up to 13.8V so I don’t believe yours should have failed with 13.6V. If you are measuring the transformer output voltage direct on the pins, this is under no load condition so the voltage will be its highest. Under load (connected to camera) this voltage will be less. The camera is less than a year old, I would return it for repair before taking it apart.
I have the QHY600 and 268M&C camera’s and have experienced the cameras not being recognised when the wrong/incorrect drivers were loaded. So I would investigate the drivers/PC registry further especially as you have fitted a new PC.
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15 hours ago, JeremyS said:
Then I used Polytrol a few times, but that goes matte after a few months.
I tried Polytrol after reading about its use for Dome refurbishment and my experience showed it started to dull after a month, it doesn’t appear to provide any protective coating just a temporary shine after application.
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As far as I am aware the Asiair doesn’t support SiTech controller mounts. While I use an Asiair with my NEQ6 portable system, my Mesu200 mounts use SGP, Nina sequencers. This is because of their increased functionality and greater compatibility options for camera, filter wheel, rotator ancillaries. Being limited to AsI products doesn’t support my equipment inventory.
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Hi Pankaj,
I have an NEQ6 that I only use for star parties, consequently this has resulted in long periods of storage. I have experienced zero problems recommissioning the mount after a long break. I just mount it on its tripod without a load and just the counterweight bar fitted. Them exercise the mount by slewing around the sky using CDC or Stellarium on my laptop. The sound of the mount motors will tell you if you need to check anything further. Once exercised, I load up and carefully balance the mount in 3 axis.
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+1 for polemaster, easy and assured PA.
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Thanks for the explanation I will review the links you provided.
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Would you care to expand on the issues you are experiencing with a bend knee mounted system. I have been thinking of getting one made for the ROR observatory.
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I used a roller gate motor kit that came with all the necessary toothed drive sections. Some minor alterations to the motor external fittings enabled me to mount the motor on the wall. As Olly said you need to mount the toothed rail sections to a solid rail, I didn’t think of using a piece of angle iron so welded some steel pieces to create a long steel rail which was mounted to the roof. The toothed rails that came with the motor kit were then fixed to the steel rail. Two roller microswitches are used for roof fully open and closed stops. One can be seen to the left of the motor, the second is next to it.
To ensure the roof would never close until the mount and telescope were safely parked, I used the 12v motor inhibit circuit and fed a wiring loop to the mount which was only complete when 2 magnetic reed switches were closed. The reed switches were positioned on the mount such that they only closed when the mount parked. All in the total cost of materials was about £150. The motor kit also comes with 2 remote controllers.
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Stargazing from EU...
in Welcome
Posted
Hi and welcome to SGL, you will find plenty of AP expertise within the membership.