WatcherF

Hi Everyone,

I got my Bresser HD Deep Sky Camera working with SharpCap after some jiggery pokery.  In the end (if I'd been able to find the right details and order of things) it's fairly easy.  The steps I followed are here:

1. Make sure the camera is visible in Windows Device Manager - it was for me on Windows 11 just by plugging it in
2. Install ASCOM Platform latest version - I used version 6.6 from ASCOM Platform (free) download Windows version (freedownloadmanager.org)
3. Install ToupTekToupSkySetup from Toupsky(Windows)/Dshow/ASCOM Driver for Astronomy Camera (touptek.com)
   • NOTE: This does not install the ASCOM Driver for ToupCam style cameras (Bresser HD Camera is one of these)
4. Install ASCOMToupTekSetup Driver for Touptek Camera from the same place
   • This is the bit that actually makes SharpCap recognise the Camera 
5. Restart your PC (VERY IMPORTANT)
6. Install SharpCap from Downloads – SharpCap – Lunar, Planetary, Solar and Deep Sky Imaging. EAA and Live Stacking.
7. Launch SharpCap
8. Select 'ASCOM ToupTek Camera Driver' from the 'Cameras' menu

I found that if I installed SharpCap before the ASCOM driver it simply wouldn't find the camera, however, if I then uninstalled SharpCap and re-installed it, it worked fine.  I didn't need to copy files around after the install - as long as you reboot after step 4 the camera appears as 'ASCOM ToupTek Camera Driver' in Sharpcam.

Hopefully that's useful for anyone having the same issue that I had.

Now - on to actually doing some imaging😀

Tomatobro, will have a look at that too. Cheers

Nope, not really tried anything yet coz couldn't get the camera going with sharpcap 😀

Was looking at sharpcak as seen others say it was easier to use than toupskay and, as I'm just starting out, easy is good.

I'll take a look. Thanks.

HI tomatobro, it's v4.0.8973 64bit

Hi All,

I've just started looking at imaging and have bought a Bresser HD Deep Sky Camera.  Looking around, many people advise using SharpCap rather than the included Toupsky software.  Unfortunately, sharpCap can't see the camera.  Things I've done so far after looking through various forums:

• Checked I have the latest camera drivers - check
• Checked I have the latest toupsky software - check (camera appears to be working in toupsky)
• Checked the camera is there in device manager - check
• Copied what I think are the driver files into the SharpCap folder (toupcam.sys, .cat, .dll & .inf) - check

does anyone have any other ideas?  Operating system is Windows 11

Cheers

Watcher

Perfect Johninderby. Thanks.

Hi All, I'm after a bit of advice.

I have a Celestron 130 eq on a CG-2 mount and tripod.

I also have a Skymax90 Mak with a photo tripod mounting plate. 

The Mak and photo tripod is great as a grab and go but I'd like to also use it on the CG2 for a bit more stability and control.

The question is simple - what kind of adapter plate do I need to buy to fit the skymax to the CG2 - it sounds simple but I just can't tell from all the different options.

Basically I want a plate that will attach to the skymax via a 1/4 inch screw and then slide into the CG2 dovetail.

Any help appreciated.

OK so firstly, thanks for the advice (and the chuckles about what Americans call a small car).

After a bit more looking and keeping in mind some of tbe commemts I've settled on an Acuter Mak80 and an Alt/AZ mount and tripod. Not only will it fit into to the car but also into my backpack when wild camping in tbe Cairngorms.  Seems like a good allrounder. 

@Louis D at this point there is no car...everything I need for 5 days is on my back. 😀

On 13/11/2021 at 03:52, Louis D said:

I'm a bit confused.  The Celestron 130 doesn't appear to be that big of a scope relative to something like a solid tube 8" Dobsonian.  How small of a car do you drive to Scotland?  How much other luggage goes with you to Scotland?  My daughter takes her Chevy Equinox camping.  It has plenty of room for her, her fiance, her dog, their camping gear, their clothing, a 127 Mak, tripod, and alt-az mount.  It's considered a rather compact SUV by American standards (as compared to a Chevy Traverse or Suburban).  I take my old Chevy Astro van camping, and I can pack my 15" truss Dob in back fully collapsed with plenty of room to spare for gear for the entire family with the third seat removed.

It would help to understand exactly how you're getting to Scotland, and how much space you have to spare before making travel scope recommendations.

One of these....(I'm not joking)

Thanks both for the advice.  Liking the look of the evostar.  Not used a Dobsonian before and always wondered how easy they are to keep stable on uneven ground but the fact it's a 150 might sway me in that direction.

Hi All, 

I currently use a celestron 130 reflector as my scope at home and after booking a holiday in southern Scotland decided I'd take it with me in the hope of some clear and dark skies. Anyway, long story short, I didn't have enough room to take it and then had the best skies I've seen in ages so I've decided I want a scope I can travel with.

I'm thinking about a slokey 50080 as it comes with the tripod and a travel bag. Does anyone have any experience with slokey scopes or can recommend something similar.  I'm thinking a 500/80 refractor is about right for portability?

Cheers

1 hour ago, GlenM said:

If I remember rightly I think I bought mine from Harrison telescopes. It's been a while though.

 

stay safe,

Glen.

 

Perfect. Thanks Glen. The do have them. Order placed.

Hi All, anyone k ow where I can get a T adapter for  Panassonic Lumix DMC G3 (M4/3 fitting) in the UK. I can only find them in China and I ordered one but when it arrived it's not the correct fitting. It's too large. Any help appreciated, much disappointment ensued last night 😕

Starts in 20 minutes.

Hi David, and welcome.

I'm in Fife too (Leven) and also new to the hobby having just bought my first scope last week.

Once lockdown is lifted a couple of good viewing sites (bases just on online googling) seem to be around Loch Leven and East Lomond.

I'll be checking them out myself so I'll let you know.

I have the motor drive version too but haven't fitted it because I like to learn how things actually work before I hand the job over to a machine (That's the IT guy in me).

Hi All, only day 3 as a member of the community so hope this is the right place to post this.

The Virtual Telescope Project are doing an online observation of the 'Potentially Hazardous' 1998 OR2 Asteroid tomorrow from 19:00 BST.

https://www.virtualtelescope.eu/webtv/

As a very new astronomer I have no idea how many of us could observe this ourselves but for us newbies I hope this is of interest.

Enjoy.

3 minutes ago, Pixies said:

Hi Watcher,

 

Sounds good. I'm pulling the trigger and buying a 'scope tomorrow (Bresser Messier 8" Dob). I might take you up on teh offer once lockdown ends - whenever that is. I have an old campervan so can travel OK (and carry the 'scope). BTW - sorry for the clouds about to arrive for the next week!

Nearer me, I always thought the Lammermuirs might have some suitable places.

You're apologising for the weather? This suggests it's your fault, in which case, just get it sorted will you!🤣

Hi Ian. There seem to be quite a few of us buying scopes as a result of lockdown. Just waiting for one of us to find a new object so it can be named after Covid 😁

I just joined SGL a couple of days ago and already finding the guys and gals here really welcoming and helpful.

Have fun with your new scope.

5 hours ago, Gina said:

That was my first scope 😀

Did it serve you well? I was looking for something to view both planets and some brighter DSOs ... hoping this fits the bill but at the price I'll be happy if I end up using it just to master the basics.

Hi Pixies,

I work in Edinburgh (when I'm allowed to go to work, that is). I've just been googling to try and find sites. Not many of them around in Scotland it seems unless you go up north)  but I've just gone with 'less light pollution than where I live' . I also thought about height and field of view. Obviously if i can find somewhere with 360 degrees down close to the horizon thats got to be worth a look.

That said, the southern sky will always be a bit polluted by Edinburgh,. I guess

I guess until we get out there we won't really know the difference.

The other thing I thought of was distance from parking. I'd be ok lugging kit a fair way as I spend a bit of time wild camping so im used to carrying weight over distance but i appreciate this might not be the case for many. 

If you do happen to be in Fife after lockdown and fancy an evening viewing, the two sites I mentioned at the beginning of the post were both identified via local groups. I also know those areas quite well and can see why they have been suggested.

Maybe I'll see you there.

Hi All, looks like my reply wasnt accurate so thanks for the updates.  This will be great info for me too as I progress especially about Polaris needing to be off centre for photography. I'll be looking up some of those apps mentioned myself now.

This...😁.

My first telescope arrived Friday evening.

Hi Spidey. 

For Polar alignment you don't really need an app, however, there's an app for Android called 'Calibration' which will clibrte your phone's accelerometer then give you a compass so you can see where 'north' is. This will be magnetic north though so only an approximation.

Stellarium is an astronomical map and is great for locating objects in the night sky. Its available free on Google play with paid versions with more capabilities. You can use this to locate the north star (Polaris) and then align your scope to this. Aligning to Polaris is far more accurate.

If you use stellarium or a star chart to locate Polaris you will see that it can be found by drawing an imaginary line through the two stars that form the end of the big dipper (the bowl end). Once you know this it's fairly easy to align your scope without an app at all.

Hope that helps.

W.

Cool, cheers. I'll take a look once we are allowed.