Rocket Stars

Do you see a tick box for LX mode. At the exposure frame? I have it ticked. Then you can slide and select time. Or is a diver default setting you have maby?

RPi. I did remote 3d printing on pi3 first. Agree on meh.. But version 4 would be much better. Anyway, U can build a NAS for astro files. All sky camera controller. Surveillance.. ect.. There it tons of applications. . But I have to little time.. well when not pandemic is raging. I rather spend the time imaging, than struggle with software. Have to be clear. Indi on a pi4. Looks like a great solution. But didn't work with my cam, focuser and some more issue I forgot. If you have equipment that is confirmed to work good. Id go for it. But I thought like you. when external SSD, good case ect,ect. You hav paid close to a decent mini pc. I got the latest NUC 4core i5, 8gig 2400mhz ram and 250gig m2 ssd. (remember. you must buy ram and hdd separately) Ad win 10 license. So its not cheap solution either.

A note on small mini PC. I have it welcromounted. So when the session is done. I removed easily. Connect it so a screen. And have a fully dedicated desktop astro computer. I do stacking ect on it. I think you should get a rpi4. Install some software and "play" with it a little. If not, you can use it for a lot of other stuff.

I did a few tests with rpi 3. I had one laying around. But it didn't seem to work well with my equipment. Som driver issues, in combo with not being very experienced with it. Im a Mac user since the 90´s. But I decided to go for a mini pc at the mount. That was the most practical reason. I can test and have a try on pretty much all software. As most astro software is written for windows. I think we will see more and more software for iOS, linux ect. But for now. I did go with a NUC. Going wireless can be a bit of a challenge. In my case. The NOC antenna has a little limited wifirange. But is solved by moving from the scope to the mount. (it did lose connection on certen angels) I external wifiadapter with antennas is the solution in the long term. One thing is indisputable. The pi form factor, is a winner! It light weight, draws very little power. And even if you add SSD ect. Its a economical solution!

Id be very interested of the results! How do you like the 1600 on the hyperstar? Pondering about that for my hyperstar c8hd rig. Clear skies!!

Awsome! here my pic. Was barly seeing it while capturing. Stacking and processing made it come out fairly ok. Had no guidning, other thans star tracking.

I did shoot it friday. Using a edge 8. You can catch it with youre sw150!

How do you solve that? Did capture Atlas last night. But not thinking ahed. I my option was to just had siderial tracking in cpwi

Im going for this tonight! Was thinking to de rig the hyperstar on my edge 8. And go native f10. But this image proved it will work with the hyperstar! Lovley image!!

Im happy with my Edge 8. So far mostly used with hyperstar. But the ability to go to f10 + Barlow. Was that made the decision to get one. Was more investment, than I was planning. But I think it is a scope you can have for a long time. But, all the equipment adds up to the total wheight. Long f numbers. usually means better mount, needed. Haven't tryed imaging at f 10 yet.

Wow! Have a edge 8 too! Have had my eyes on the Baader zoom. Is that something you can recommend? Also, that's a intresting mount!

I agree. Very much a proper update on cpwi. Pretty much a total overhaul on the software. Im getting a gamepad! It is also very well integrated in SharpCap!

Go to the sharpcap forums. Link in the sharpcap webpage/support tab. I found that he usally respond in the evenings. Great software!

Have played little with it tonight. Very big improvement! Very good scope control! Database improved, calibration improved. Much, much more nicer to use. I can really recommend this for anyone who has a Celestron mount!

Just fired up CPWI. Got a notice that there was a new version to download. Fast and easy upgrade. It is very much improved. And looks a lot nicer!

Also did that on dirtbikes. But its more about protecting from the wet grimy stuff. On my RD 500 and RGV 500 I used to have. I also had to change berings quiet often. But I think its more due to engineering problems. Hard to find bearings that holds up to the loads in those sizes. Atleast to a production prize point. My buddy who raced TZ250. We changed to cheramic main bearings. But in the end. It just did cost more when the rest of the engine sized up. Good times! 😊

To be honest. Not as much as I would liked to. What I do find. Is my Calibrationfiles aren’t great. Due to different temps. With gain as correct settings. Seems to me that it is biggest reason for cooled cameras? Noise can be calibrated out with good calibration files and stacking. But when I’m cold in the middle of the night. Annoyed of clouds rolling in. I tend to ”forget” to take flats and darks.. Eg. cooling might not the biggest advantge. It would be a temperature controlled camera!? 😳 I also have a bit of collimating issues. It is fitted in a Baader clamp style eyepeace holder. I have gotten collimation pretty much perfect. But as soon as jag touch the camera a bit to much. It moves and changes the collimation. Not much. But enough to be annoying. The clamping was what I had on hands. Ordered a c to T adapter. But didn’t get back focus perfect. That has been the driving question. Whether to try to find better adapters (I need to modify one to get correct backfocus) Yes. A new cam is a bit expensive solution to a wonky fitting on an existing camera. 😁😂 Honesty nr2. AA 178 c is a nice camera. Chipsize isn’t very small.Pinwheelgalaxy fits fine. Even fits a full moon on that set up. Pixelscale fits hyperstar nicely. That why I got it. When outside temperature is round 0 c. Sensor keeps around 6-8c. I will and plan to use it a lot more. As not to unfamiliar with electronics and fine mechanics. I took it apart to check sensor flatness. Build quality was ok. I assume it’s pretty much the same on all of this cameras. Sensor flatness needed to be adjusted very little. I assume it ok for all “normal” setups. Hyperstar is supposed to be little more sensitive on sensor flatness. But my real issue was the wonky rotting on the hyperstar.

All sealed bearings from reputable manufactures, are greased to the right specs they are designed for. The seal increases friction little. But keeps dust ect away. If you remove the seal. The grease will collect all dust and debris ect. Trust me. I once was in the aviation industry. We never, ever practice that. What ever ppl says. This is "home made ideas" If you want non sealed bearings. Its ok to remove the seals. But in that case. One should buy non sealed bearings. That also are cheaper. Just use them. Edit. Just red the yellow marked text. "lubricate with lithium grease" That is completely wrong lubricant for bearings!

Hi! Current camera is a 178 color. I got it as first camera to "play" with. Im not done with it, in a long way. But still have my eyeballs on cooling and a bigger sensor. The 178 will be used for planetary, and maby as a first guide cam. I bought the Celestron edge 8. Du to its capabillitis to shoot both at f2 with hyperstar (current set up). And f7 and f10. (focal reducer for f7, is not acquired yet) It is my Swiss army knife, and I love it! So, I know there is no perfect camera for it all. But maby with binning. You might get decently close.. Have checked, and checked, and checked....astronomy tools. But after while. Im even further away of a decision. Actually, had my finger on "buy" button on a 183 sensor camera. But checked astro tools again... Yup I, getting a bit frustrated.. 1. Mono or osc? I already have a color camera. But additional filters ect adds to the cost. Im planing to get filter wheel ect. in the future. But a drawer would be fine atm. Still, Color is easier.. But it would be fun to play with narrowbandish filters. 2. I had my eyes on 183, as it fits Hyperstar nice. But a bigger sensor is nice. 1600mm? Its not as good fit at f2, and very oversampled at f10.. 3. Bodysize? ZWO, QHY, Altair has bit thick body for my edge 8 hyperstar set up. It blocks the aperture a bit. But does it make much difference? Here is Atik body style a better fit. 4. Cmos or ccd? Docent matter much to me. Best fitting camera wins. CCD is at higher cost.. 5. Budget!! As the world looks now. And looks like it will be going on for a while. My biz might have to be shut down completely. So I have to be a "bit" careful about spending. But im bored atm, and I can't help it. Im also astro hooked.. I think a Atik Horizon is the limit to what I want to spend now. But, I also want to do the right thing. Buy a cam that I will enjoy for quite some time. 6. Buying Astro gear, contribute to keep the economy rolling! 7. Take me out of my misery. Help me buy antother camera!

I can recommend playing with the sensor analysis i sharpcap! There is also a feature in the histogram funktion. Click on the brain to get recommended settings. Good lerning tools! I like it a lot

1000% Agreed! 👌

I cant belive there has not been much promotion about this. Visited neaf websit a hoire ago. It was hard to find clear info about this. Streaming times and event. Being in the event and expo biz. (So far, time being) That is the absolutly most important to present clearly. Of you are going to have a successful expo, for both visitors and those who need to display their products and services. Mostly, Im annoyed about missing most of it.. 😬

Got it!! Ty all!! 👌

I had a look at Stellarium, but it is not listed there. How do one find it? Would be nice to have a look. Looks like Ill have some clear skies this night!! Insomnia, Yes!

Ah! Toiletpaper. did buy a "few" rolls today.. But again, it is worth more than money today. so Ill had a good go at the image. Image apers to be a "smooth operator". Sorry, but can you send the paper anyway?? 🤣👌