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SIDO

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Posts posted by SIDO

    Unistella evscope

    in EEVA - Discussion

    Posted

    Like the idea of purchasing a single self contained unit and think this is another great alternative for those seeking an easy lightweight novice friendly package...

    For me though the field of view is a none starter and as I have had an eye on Unistellar for some three years now as they push the directive further and further out the existing astonomy camera technology excells at an ever increasing rate...Someone puts a small LCD screen on a mini computer attatched to an astronomy camera with livestacking that can be plugged into any scope and their lead here may be lost, at 90+Qe a tracking mount won't even be needed just small remote sensors for altitude and azimuth for simple push to capability...

    Smaller better faster, my chief engineers words when we replaced electro mechanical timers with digital logic controllers 30 years ago...The trend continues...

    Best of Luck Everyone, Unistellar too ?

    • Like 1

    Embracing the New(er) EEVA Technology?

    in EEVA - Discussion

    Posted

    2018 Interview with Robin Glover developer of Sharpcap, discussion touches on the evolution of astrophotography with modified webcams to modern-day (2018) AP and EAA. The discussion also includes Robins take on Cmos technology and how it has drastically improved over time, an interesting >30 minutes.

    Embracing the New(er) EEVA Technology?

    in EEVA - Discussion

    Posted

    It is interesting the many reasonings for perusing eeva from battling light pollution to eliminating the dark adaptation requirement for visual observation and as well those more interested in quick and dirty imaging for personal observation or to share those images with other like observer's or just general like sharing as dedicated imagers do, for me with moderately dark skies it's an ongoing physical disability that moves me toward eeva wereas continued visual observations have become too taxing and eeva may be my only comfortable means to continue.

    The dangerous part of all this is my already accumulating digital eyepiece collection an my wife's newly evolving opinion of it ?

    Eventually I intend to replace visual observations entirely with eeva like alternatives and develope hardware and software work flows around my physical limitations, this new forum on eeva and it's now many discussions have helped greatly the realization that this is the best option for my particular situation and  continued observation of the deep sky.

    Whatever your reasoning and expectations, Best of Luck and Clear Skies Everyone ?

                              Freddie...

    • Like 3

    Embracing the New(er) EEVA Technology?

    in EEVA - Discussion

    Posted

    12 minutes ago, elpajare said:

    Large sensors and many megapixels are fashionable but I am also of the opinion that most objects can be seen in great detail with these small ICX 829 or IMX 224 sensors.

    As an example, in the northern hemisphere there are 1.472 objects of magnitude equal to or less than 12. Objects considered "large and bright" ( more than 20 arc. min), appropriate for these mega-sensors are only 154 ( 10.6%). If we go to higher magnitudes ALL objects are small and weak in this way small and sensitive sensors well combined with a telescope is much more useful for fans who dont want to limit themselves to the "big and bright".
    The most coveted objectives of astrophotographers and suitable for this type of mega sensors are the bright nebulae and these only represent 7% of all the observable objects in the northern hemisphere.

    Just bought the asi385mc observe in the northern hemisphere and am liking your post alot, I went with a smaller 1/2 sensor for those same reasons you sumed up quite well.

    For use on my 150/750 with reducer at f2.5 so 1.1 x .63° and my 80mm at about 2 x 1° f2.5

    Thinking of buying a large sensor camera for my finderscope though.

     

    • Like 1

    Embracing the New(er) EEVA Technology?

    in EEVA - Discussion

    Posted · Edited by SIDO

    Been thinking about the asi290mm mini myself, Qe at 80 and the fov seems perfect for an st80 or ed80 but being a eeva/eaa/astrophotography novice I don't want to be over sampling or anything else unpreceived, if someone could give me a heads up that would be great. 

    • Like 1

    Thoughts on Using a Laser Pointer

    in Observing - Discussion

    Posted

    2 hours ago, maw lod qan said:

    Amazing I noticed this thread yesterday, and just now I see on the local news a man sentenced to 1 year 9 months for shining a laser at a police helicopter.

    Remember what 'Forrest Gump' said.

    "Mama said, stupid is as stupid does!"

    I guess if someone is going to laser shine an aircraft police helicopters are an excellent place to start, the investagatory proccess is much quicker this way and less burdensome on the tax payers as well a chuckle is also provided ? 

    Thoughts on Using a Laser Pointer

    in Observing - Discussion

    Posted

    1 hour ago, Demonperformer said:

    Great post, thanks for linking it.

    So, as at Dec 2017, it appears that it is not illegal to own a 5mW pointer, but if I own one, I am responsible for any misuse (intended or not) and I may be required to demonstrate that I have no "intent" to misuse it, even if not doing so.

    Mine is kept in my (covered) tupperware box when not in use, only taken out when I am pointing something out to a passer-by. I always take precautions of checking the area of sky for moving lights. Can even be a "teaching moment" for the local youth about "responsible" ownership and use.

    I can live with that.

    I'm glad this thread on laser use is having teachable moments as well D, nice to see the subject not cut short...I'll leave it at that ?

                             Freddie...

    Thoughts on Using a Laser Pointer

    in Observing - Discussion

    Posted

    11 minutes ago, Sland said:

    This seems fairly concise:

    https://laserpointerforums.com/threads/new-laser-laws-uk-20th-december-2017.102055/

     

    Very interesting and thank you for posting this, it lends credibility to what I've already read many other places. Seems most all misuse comes from those not involved in useing lasers for astronomy but as toys, silly pointers and the like.

    Really is too bad for those with good intentions, like the light polluters they have no clue how they might be affecting the enjoyment of others. 

                           Freddie...

     

    Thoughts on Using a Laser Pointer

    in Observing - Discussion

    Posted · Edited by SIDO

    Interested to know too D, I did a search on Flo and collomation lasers is all that could be found. You think they would be selling lasers for use as finders as they are selling lasers for collomation and if the law requires less than 1mw that be the power likely sold although  in even limited light pollution I just can't see a less than 1mw laser being very visible as a finder but maybe I'm wrong as I have never tried using one below 1mw.

                                Freddie...

    Thoughts on Using a Laser Pointer

    in Observing - Discussion

    Posted

    6 minutes ago, JamesF said:

    Firstly because any member of the local constabulary who happened to come across an individual using a 300mW laser as a pointer, especially outdoors, is probably going to have a highly unpleasant sense of humour failure.  That would be enough for me in itself.

    A 300mW class 3B laser probably has a a fair range (perhaps 150m, maybe 200m, depending on the quality of the laser?) over which it could cause permanent eye damage, which makes accidental operation potentially harmful over a larger area than one might reasonably expect to control.

    The actual range of such a laser might well be several kilometres depending on the beam divergence, which means you may never be too sure what's on the other end.  Even an accidental flash into an aircraft cockpit carries the potential for a prison sentence (in the UK).  At that kind of distance I reckon it would actually be quite hard to deliberately light up the cockpit of any aircraft, but it would be much easier not to go there in the first place.

    A lot of the time, all you need for pointing out objects in the sky is a "longer finger", and a 1mW pointer will do that quite readily.  There may be cases where a more powerful laser is required, but anyone doing so probably needs to be able to justify what they're doing with it and how they're ensuring the safety of those around them, particularly as has already been pointed out, there's a legal limit of 1mW for pointers in the UK.

    James

    I do understand concerns and laws over laser use regionally and nationally across the globe are varied but am only sharing technical and product information here in regards to using lasers for astronomy. Those who choose to exceed the posted speed limits in their travels do so at their own risk and the risk to others, I do not condone illegal activities but do have an interest in the safe and responsible use of the devices and the advantages they bring to the hobby.

                            Freddie...

     

    • Thanks 1

    Thoughts on Using a Laser Pointer

    in Observing - Discussion

    Posted · Edited by SIDO

    25 minutes ago, tooth_dr said:

    For the not so well informed ... why? I’m interested in getting one myself and so am wondering the answer?

    Ok school time, 

    A class 3b laser is any laser from 5 milliwatts to 499 milliwatts, so indeed using the class 3b criteria is a misnomer, for astronomical location purposes 5mw to about 20mw is the desired power to be effective for the task.

    It is ridiculas I think that sellers mis state specifications so regularly, the laser 303's have good reputation for astronomical use and have been tested by many to be in the bottom end of the 3b class rating.

    Never suggest someone use a class 3b laser for astronomy as this is not at all "Zero" a finite description of laser power.

    Hope this helps ?

     

                              Freddie...

     

    http://www.lasersafetyfacts.com/3B/

    • Thanks 1
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