CCD-Freak

On 30/01/2023 at 04:29, Elp said:

 

Great nebulosity, how is the sharpstar 150mm to use? Looks like a neat scope.

I have really enjoyed the SS15028HNT.  Imaging at F2.8 is a joy.   I had to do a bit of tweaking when I first got it to fix some movement of the primary mirror but once that was solved it has played well.  I have mainly used it with an ASI533MC and a recently acquired ASI2600MC. 

NGC7023 the Iris Nebula   300 x 120s (10 hours total)  ASI533MC with a Baader UV-IR filter riding on an AP900 mount at my SRO dark site.   Captured and processed with Astroart 8.

M45 from the Okie-Tex Star Party 

Sharpstar 150mm F2.8 Hyper Newt with a ASI533MC through a Baader UV-IR filter.   75 x 1 minute captured and processed with AstroArt.

9 hours ago, jfrijhoff said:

That's a sweet looking rig! Do the mini-PCs hold up well in general in (freezing) cold and high humidity?

I have used the my mini PC during the hot summer months in Texas and in cold weather down to about 30F so far with no problems.  When I get out in even colder weather I will be putting the PC in a plastic container which hold in the small amount of heat the PC generates which also keeps dew at bay.  My SRO dark site is usually quite dry so dew is usually not a major problem. 

The HP mini PC has 4 more USB3 ports on the back side for a total of 6 as well a USB C  connector.  By utilizing the hub built into the camera to control the EAF focuser and the EFW filter wheel I can keep the cable count down.

On 20/01/2023 at 12:57, Stuart1971 said:

Out again tonight. 3rd night on the run, imaging the Bubble Nebula tonight, with my tak FSQ85 and QHY268m, guiding with tak FS60c and ASI174m mini, image from obsy cam…

 

What mount is that ????  It looks very "beefy".

Turn on the Hyper Drive...

This is one I caught.

2 hours ago, rnobleeddy said:

Was entirely unaware that these existed! I guess the main advantage over a refractor is the fact they're so fast? How do you find collimation? I also imagine I would a new dual band filter, which adds extra £.

I don't find the SS Hyper Newts to be too hard to collimate but I have been working with reflectors for many years.  Hyper Newts are more "fiddly" than a refractor and it helps if you are not "mechanically challenged".  Once my SS15028HNT is dialed in it holds colimation quite well.   For me collimation is a tradeoff for imaging at F2.8.  I have been imaging with an ASI-533MCp and a recently acquired ASI-2600MCp. 

The Sharpstar 15028HNT at 420mm and the 13028HNT at 364mm could be added to the list though you will still have to get the 55mm spacing set right.

I am a bit of a "Black Sheep" since I prefer to put the mini PC and such on the pier or tripod instead of mounting it all up top on the optical tube.  I do it to reduce cable clutter, weight and wind load and it is also easier to protect the electronics from dew, frost or low temperatures.   By using the internal hub on the camera I can reduce the number of cables which I run through "cable braid" that is secured at each end to take the strain off the connectors.  Cable braid allows each cable to move separately which makes the bundle more flexible.  

To quote Mando...."This is the Way"  8^P

Great looking imaging rig.  I recently got a GEM45 to carry my SS15028HNT which is much like your E130.

Great image....Do you have a picture of the imaging rig?

Did you search using the phrase "19V computer travel adapter" ???  That is how I found the one I use and it came with adapters to fit a whole slew of laptops and mini PCs. 

Travel adapters typically work fine with voltages as high a 14 or 15v since they are designed to run from car battery systems that charge at a nominal 13.8V.  I use a LiPO4 battery and a power gate to power all my equipment with a power supply so that I have power backup in case the grid goes down.  If I want to image at a remote off grid site I charge the battery with a solar panel. 

This is the one I use to power my remote mini PC.

https://www.amazon.com/CASIMY-Universal-Satellite-ThinkPad-Notebook/dp/B09LLQW74N/ref=sr_1_5?crid=4HV5F6OKGNBS&keywords=12v+power+adapter+for+laptop&qid=1655415730&sprefix=12v+power+adapter+for+laptop%2Caps%2C110&sr=8-5

I have a lighter plug adapter right now but I will be putting a Power Pole connector on it once the warranty period is out.   It has adapters to fit many different PCs and laptops.  

For anyone using Astroart 8.....Service Pack 3 has just been released...(^8

------------ Astroart 8.0 Service Pack release notes -------------

Version 8.0 SP3 - January 3, 2023
------------------------------------

* New feature.  Astrometry with optical distortions.
* New feature.  Reading and writing of FITS SIP distortions.
* New feature.  Three modes for "follow minor planet".
* New feature.  Camera control for the 64 bit version.
* New feature.  Several script commands.
* Improved.  Plate solving is 5% faster.
* Improved.  More options for plate solving.
* Improved.  Remove Gradient filter in real-time when changing points.
* Improved.  Blink full screen with option for fractional alignment.
* Improved.  Star atlas, the last searched minor planet is highlited.
* Improved.  Star atlas, constellations can be searched.
* Improved.  Telescope automatic centering up to 10 degrees.
* Improved.  Finer zoom-out levels.
* Bug fix.  Menu "Select coordinates" did not work sometimes.
* Bug fix.  Minor corrections in the user interface.

I just took this picture of my iOptron GEM45 sitting on a CI-700 Tripod (short version) using the adapter plate I put together.  I also have a tall version of the CI-700 tripod which will work well with refractors. 

I used a GEM45 tripod adapter plate from Avalon and mated it to the square plate that was a leftover from another project.  I made the gap just enough for me to tighten a bolt to attach to my piers or tripod.  AT some point I plan to machine a round plate to replace the square one but I am not in a rush since the square one works just fine. 

As soon as I get a clear night I will take some pictures with the mount on it but with the current weather patterns it may be months before that happens.  )^8

Brake rotors do make nice pier plates...I have a couple that will eventually end up on a pier at my SRO dark site.

NGC7129 The Rosebud Nebula , LBN497,  NGC7133  and NGC7142 to the lower left.

Great image !!  ....sometimes you just have to "stick a fork in it and call it done". 

Welcome Dylan

Have fun here on SGL.

Hi Doug

Welcome from a fellow Texan.  Have fun here on SGL and hang around long enough to become a "Lounge Lizard" like the rest of  us.   (^8

Where are you in Central Texas ????  I am up in North Texas almost at the Red River

Wow !!!!  I may have to "bite the bullet" too.  

I am the "Black Sheep" around here.  I use an HP mini PC and Remote Desktop to control it via WiFi or Ethernet.

Cameras   ASI2600MCp and ASI533MMp

Guide Cameras  ASI290MM or ASI178MM

HP Mini PC

i7 processor at 2.8GHz

16GB RAM

1TB SSD

6 USB ports

Imaging Software Astroart8  for Camera control, telescope control with fast plate solving that does not require an internet connection, EAF and EFW control and auto-guiding.  AA8 can also talk to PHD guiding.

I use a 128GB Flash Drive for "sneaker-net" to move image data to my main PC for processing.  

I also mount the mini PC on the pier instead of up on the optical tube.  I don't like the clutter and the additional wind load.  It is easier to protect the electronics from moisture when conditions are dewy.

My $.02

Today I finished my pier adapter plate for my recently acquired iOptron GEM45 mount.  It will allow me to use the steel pier in the backyard and my Todmorden pier at my SRO dark site. 

Now I am itching for some good weather. 

My "High Altitude Sight" might help. (^8

How this scope ended up in Texas I will never know.