javaruba

Hi folks, 

I'm trying to figure out which direction to go. I've just finished routing some cables to my mini-PC, which currently lives on my dovetail plate, as can be seen below, power distribution cables are the only part missing.
I'm trying to figure out if I should just buy the Pegasus Pocket Powerbox Micro or discard the whole mini-PC idea and go with the ZWO ASIAir Pro instead. Both units aren't far apart in price.

Thanks in advance for any suggestion.

53 minutes ago, wimvb said:

That could very well be. Do you have the possibility to take subs without the L-pro?

I can probably do that when it the clouds go away. Not sure if light pollution might cause another artifact(s) to appear.

13 minutes ago, CCD-Freak said:

Did you use a UV-IR filter or a filter that cuts IR? 

 

 

John
CCD-Freak
WD5KX

Yes UV/IR, it's an Optolong L-Pro broadband filter. Below the emission graph.

6 minutes ago, newbie alert said:

Sorry but don't really know of what it could possibly be, I've just checked my image from the last clear skies.. can't see anything like it on my HA image

What's the equipment you're using here? Is it an Esprit 100ED as well?

11 hours ago, wimvb said:

My gues is that it's a reflection from the brightest star in your image. It's too weak to be visible in single frames, but above the noise floor in the stacked image. As @JamesF noted, variations in sky quality during the session can make it more prominent in some subs.

Hi Wim,

Thanks for the reply. Do you think it might be some reflection on the L-Pro I'm currently using? Below is a picture on how I currently have it setup.

Hi folks,

I think my vision is failing me, or I'm just losing my mind. A few nights ago, I did a session on the Jellyfish Nebula. I took about 51 subframes of 120 seconds and added Flats, Dark-Flats and Darks as required. After stacking and calibrating the images with AstroPixelProcessor (APP), there seems to be a big circle at the lower edge of the frame. I thought this might be a dust bunny on my L-Pro filter, and the flats should have picked it up. Taking a look at the flats, which I took right after completing the session, shows no indication of the circle. I then started looking at each light frame, and surely I can see the circle but really faint when significantly stretched.

The strange thing is that some light frames have this circle pattern, and some don't. I'm scratching my head now. It's the first time I've seen such a pattern. Does anyone have a clue what's going on here?

Below is the stacked image fully stretched to make the circle more pronounced and a flat frame taken on the same night. The third image is just one frame stretched (note the circle pattern isn't there).

Equipment used:

• Scope: Sky-Watcher Esprit 100ED Triplet APO
• Camera: ZWO ASI294MC Pro
• Mount: Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro
• Guide System: ZWO ASI120MM (mini) & ZWO OAG

Thanks in advance for any help.

Kind regards,

Jairo

Hi all,

After detecting a small fracture on the edge of the protective window of my ASI294MC Pro some time ago, I managed to replace it with a new one. ZWO describes the glass as "ZWO D32 AR" for the ASI294. AR probably stands for anti-reflective, not sure. I was wondering if the glass should be installed pointing in a specific direction, or is the anti-reflection both ways? I'm seeing some halos while pointing at bright stars but could be something else, see attached start image as a reference (a single frame exposure).

Thanks in advance for any help.

Kind regards,

Hi folks,

I just upgraded my main imaging scope to a Sky-Watcher Esprit 100Ed. I'm currently looking for ideas to attach my 60mm guide scope and mini-PC with Pegasus Powerbox on top of the main scope. Probably an additional plate might help help?

Anyone mind sharing some pictures as a reference?

Many thanks in advance.

Jairo

Hi folks,

I've been seeing tear drop shape stars with the EdgeHd 8 and ZWO ASI294MC Pro camera, so I verified the collimation. I'm using a celestron x0.7 reducer.

Does collimation needs to be checked  with an eyepiece or with the camera and with or without reducer? I'm asking since I verified my collimation yesterday and couldn't see the concentric rings with the complete imaging train (ASI294MC, OAG, and x0.7 reducer). It was only showing the inner shadow and outer circle. I than  replaced the AS294MC with my guide cam (ASI120) which has a much smaller sensor and could see many rings. While, to my view, it seems to be collimated, it's strange that I can't see the rings with the main imaging cam. Any thoughts? Here's how I left the collimation after some adjustments with the guide cam.

Kind regards,

Jairo

Hi all,

Exceptional calculator!

I have a question. I'm using an OAG and get the following results which is 1:0.81. If I put Binning to 2x2 on the guide camera I get a ratio of 1:1.62. Which would be a better, with or without binning the guide camera?

Results without guide came binning

Results with guide cam binning

Hi, all thanks for the information. I've managed to test the mount with a bench power supply capable of going from 4 to 15 Vdc and 10 Amps max. At around 13.8 Vdc and performing a star alignment, it will stall and make the whining noise. Going up to max volts ~15 Vdc it seems to work somewhat better and reach the alignment star, but by pressing the Ra and Dec simultaneously it would stall until I stop pressing.

The red Led is constantly on prior, during and post the stall. Strange enough I noticed that during stall and right after slewing it will vibrate a little. Attached is a picture of the bench Power supply I've used. 

I've also removed all equipment and counterweight and tested. Pressing Ra and Dec button together it will also stall sometimes while having the power supply at 15Vdc and reading 14.8 Vdc on the keypad. Here is a video of that test:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WnGhVauMv44LTgHAn34ADKT_oZb6BRQV/view?usp=drivesdk

As a reference, I've also tested with a rather larger fully charged Celestron Power Tank 17 with no success. Not sure if I put a 16 Vdc power supply it would do any difference.

2 hours ago, moise212 said:

Does it make a strange noise? Something resembling grinding something between the gears.

Does it stop suddenly or slowly decreasing speed? Make sure everything is properly configured. Position (correct hemisphere, west or east of Greenwich), date entered in MM/DD/YYYY format, daylight saving set to No. Kind of recently I forgot to set the daylight to No on one mount.

I wouldn't expect any power issues if the led stays constant without blinking.

If I recall correctly, the mount needs ~5A at 12V when slewing both axis at full speed. My smaller Celestron LiFePo4 Powertank couldn't deliver enough and it cut the power at alignment. I've yet to test the newer larger one.

Hi, thanks for the prompt reply. Every parameter seems to be Ok from what I could see and well balanced. I've recorded a video and made a few pictures of the setup, follow the link below:

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=1FjPwdaA_u_1x9oXYQFbNi7QYMf6kDYzb

Also, attached is a picture of the voltage read on the hand controller with the Celestron Powertank Lithium Pro connected.

Hi all. I've just received past Saturday a new EQ6-R Pro mount. I've also purchased a Celestron Powertank Lithium Pro which was recommended to use with this mount. Unfortunately, while slewing to a star for alignment it will "stall/stop" halfway. Could it be suffering a power related issue. The led stays constant without blinking. I was wondering what is the right power supply to use with the mount? And is there any reliable battery pack for the mount?