Han Solo

Thank you for the link Rob. I’ll throw the manual filter wheel in for free, so if you are interested, a cooled mono cmos camera and filter wheel for £750. thanks, James

Hi Roger, Thanks for for the information, I wasn’t aware of the gain level being so low. I’ll have a read of the linked post. Thanks.

Hey there, R,G,L Subs were 2mins at gain 400. I decided to shoot the Blue at 1min at gain400 due to intermittent cloud cover. I don’t know if that was a good idea or not really.

Hi, this is my first proper attempt at an LRGB image. I chose the North America Nebula and framed the shot to capture the Cygnus Wall. What do you guys think? Do the colours look good? I think my focus was off slightly for the red channel as the stars look a little bloated? 120mins integration time 1x1 binning. WO Z73 + Altair 183m Pro Tec + Baader LRGB filters Thoughts, comments welcome as I really want to learn and improve! Thanks

Hi Olly, Thanks for your insight. I did wonder if I could save the positioning using the User Defined Object feature, but to be honest I haven't really explored the Synscan controller other than the basics to get me aligned and on to a target. Funny, I din't think to just note down the RA and Dec values, I guess I was expecting the need for a more sophisticated solution, but I really like the simplicity of this! So far I have only been using the bahtinov mask to focus, but maybe next time I will try using the FWHM focusing assist more!

Thank you for your message. Oh right, so do you choose the brightest star in the field of view and use a bahtinov mask to set focus? Or Sharpcap’s FWHM focus assist? Or some other method?

This may be an obvious question, please forgive me, I am new to all of this! It became very apparent to me very quickly that I need to refocus every time I change to a new filter. I am currently using a mono camera with a manual filter wheel and Baader LRGB filters. The issue I am having is I have no idea how to refocus without slewing to a bright star and using a B. Mask. To me, this makes sense, but how to I then subsequently slew back to my original target and get the framing to match the original subs taken with the first filter especially if I have manually framed up the image how I want using the Synscan controller? Is there a better way of focusing? Can I save my imaging asc. and dec. position to allow me to slew back to the target? this may be useful if imaging over multiple evenings too? Thanks, James

Great image ??

Great image and great detail. Something for me to aspire to, thanks for sharing. James

Hi and welcome

Francis, That is a really impressive model, I cant wait to see the full size version!! James

Hi Francis, You have a really cool looking set up. I wonder if you will be able to clarify something for me. I have this scope and the adjustable field flattener. Am I correct in saying that the flattener is adjustable to suit different scopes and not to adjust for required camera sensor back focus? I'm struggling to find what size spacer I need between the back for the flattener and my 183m sensor. Thanks, James

Sounds like an idea. Is it good practice to mount as much as possible on the scope. i.e dew heater controller and any excess cable lengths?

Here is my set up. Cables everywhere! And excuse the mess in the background! I still need to figure out the cable management. How do you guys do it with a rig which you strip down each evening? Skywatcher HEQ5 with belt mod William Optics Zenithstar 73 TS Optics 60mm Guidescope Altair 183M PRO TEC camera Altair GPCAM2 290M

I can’t see much on my mobile, but Field flatterer to sensor spacing?

Hi Bill from another noob, James

I’ve got this scope and I came across the same balancing issue as you did. I had a local machine shop make me a couple of aluminium stand-offs for use with a couple of longer M6 stainless steel machine screws. I can now push the dovetail plate as far back as I need to whilst providing clearance on the focus lock screw. Works a treat. Did cost me £30 though.

Hi Peter, That sounds great. I live in Corfe Mullen. I'll be sure to check out the Dorset group!

Hello from Dorset, I have been following SGL for a little while now but have finally created an account. I've been interested in astronomy since I was a child, however I can now dedicate more time (more, but not enough) and some money (definitely not enough) to the hobby I am hoping to take it to the next level. I am interested in astrophotography and have started to collate an imaging rig and have completed a few nights of imaging with some beginner success. I am really looking forward to my astro journey and hope to learn a lot from the community here. James