raf2020

Sorry Guys for late reply, busy week at work then Xmass tidies on weekend 0o @mackiedlm thank you very much for you effort looking into my RAWs. This aberration close to the borders is caused by LPF. Without it photos look ok but because of my Bortle class 7 area I am not able to take any longer exposures without it. So I need to choose between 90 sec exposures without LPF or longer with it, but then I need to crop a lot my photos. In general I think I will stick with DSS to get maximum from it (now still I work only on default settings) then maybe I will try another solution so I will have full background picture to compare. Regarding flats I have took it straight away after lights, darks and bias. I have used manual mode to take it. I just looked on histogram to make sure data is on the middle of the graph. On manual mode because I have spotted that on AV and ISO lower than 800 data is not presented in the middle oh histogram what was recommended by a lot of users. edit: another experienced user has convinced me to try with APP. I will go with trial and see what I can get from it. Andromeda Galaxy M31 08-12-2020 ISO 800 90sek without LPF 60 lights, 20 darks, 25 bias, 25 flats (AV mode). If you would like to take a look into it as well to see the difference - would be great, thank you. @Phillyo in session pasted above dust is visible also od flats. For ISO 800 I have taken it on AV camera mode. Regarding darks - most of the users recommending to take it if you have a time. Afaik darks adding noise so it is recommended to take minimum 30. Please note I am very beginner. Thank you Guys again for replies!

I have started using SharpCap just recently and it's absolutely amazing tool for PA! If you are able to put your mount exactly on north position, then you even don't have to look into your polar scope = no more kneeling on grass 😃

Hello folks, Below is my very first attempt on DSO. M31 - material taken on 30-11-2020: Here is my 2nd attempt, 05-12-2020: Here I have raised an thread where I have asked for tips and advises as I am not rly happy with result. Many thanks for any input there. Cheers, Raf

Hello Guys, I am beginner and I look for advices what should I change/improve regarding my data collection and how to do it. I live in Bortle class 7 area so I need LPF. Below I will place links to my very first and 2nd sessions on Andromeda raw data: M31 30-11-2020, 17 lights, 15 flats, 10 darks, 15 bias. ISO 400, 240 sec. Not to much of data and still few needs to be unchecked before registering in DSS as quality is poor because of clouds etc. I have taken flats on manual camera mode on exp. 6". Just white t-shirt and tablet on scope (as per few advices my goal was to keep all data in the middle of histogram). In DSS I have used default settings. I have tried to postprocess stacked material about 5 times. Very poor result. After this session I have cleaned well main scope glass and ff/reducer as dust was visible on photos. Stacked and postprocessed. M31 05-12-2020, 41 lights, 34 flats on manual settings + 20 flats on AV mode, 20 darks, 30 bias. ISO 400, 150 sec exp. This time I have decided for the same ISO but shorter exposition as on previous I have seen strange "coma" around M31. This time I have asked neighbours to turn off security lights, on previous session it was on. Unfortunately dust is still visible so probably it is on CMOS of camera. LPF looks absolutely clean, same as main scope glass and ff/reducer. Tracking was great, usually error in PHD2 was around 50". This time I have took my flats in two different ways. First on camera manual mode, like the last time, I just tried to keep all data in the middle of histogram and I have reached it on 6" exp. Second way was same ISO on AV mode. Camera has picked 5sec. exp automatically but data on histogram is on its right side. No idea which one is better but tbh I see no difference between them after stacking. Another thing is that I see a lot of strange red, green, blue dots and lines after stacking on default DSS settings. I have tried recommended settings, even in various mixes, but general result was even worse. Stacked and postprocessed. Next time I am going to try with ISO 800, 150sec exposure and I will try take around 60 lights. If someone experienced would like to take a deeper look on my raw data and give me some feedback/tips I will appreciate it a lot. Cheers!

It is solved now. It was matter of drivers. Thanks.

Could you please advise which one? You think it is the causa of my connection problem? Thank you. Edit: I have installed CDM v2.12.28 WHQL Certified and..... it seems that I am connected Thank you very much @KP82! I needed to set up same baud rate in new com3 virtual device and eqmod driver. But now seems to be fine.

EQDIR cable is plugged to usb 3.0 hub which is plugged to last free usb 3.0 port on my pc. I will try different configurations, direct connection to pc included. Thank you for tip.

There is no dummy questions when you deal with newbie Mount is on and handset is unplugged as it is EQDIR/EQMOD connection type.

@KP82 thank you. A step forward. Now I can see EQMOD ASCOM HEQ5/6 on drop down list in PHD2, but I am getting Connect Error: Time Out. I Have tried to manually select com3 port. No luck. Same with autodetect (binocular icon). ps. in device manager/another devices I can see TTL232R as unrecognized device which I guess is EQDIR cable/mount.

Yes I did as mentioned @KP82.

Hey, I am unable to connect to my HEQ5 in PHD2. What I have installed already: ASCOM (Platfor 6.5SP1), EQMOD (ASCOMPAD_V209) and Sky-Watcher ASCOM driver. Every time I try to connect I am getting error "ASCOM driver problem during connection: (ASCOM: Utilities) Element PortName can't be empty. When I try to choose it in setup field is empty. Whichever number I try to type there I am getting same error. Btw. on some YT tutorials I have seen that on drop down menu as mount there should be visible "EQMOD ASCOM HEQ5/6", but I can't see it despite EQMOD (ASCOMPAD_V209) is installed. I use EQDIR cable plugged in hand controller port. Please advise me guys! Thanks!

My rig will be about 10m far from my pc (living room - backyard). Initially I have seen problem that I wouldn't be able to control it from backyard, while I will be close to mount with HC, but probably there won't be any point nor need to do so Thank you @daz for your input! And controlling it with game pad sounds soooo fancy

Thank you @Cornelius Varley I was afraid that I have bought wrong cable

Hello Guys, After first rig tests, successful polar alignment on SynScan etc., today I found another mystery. I have ordered EQDIR cable (USB to RJ-45). I was sure it will go to "AutoGuider" port on my mount, but it seems only match to port of SynScan Hand Controller. I remember there was a way to plug mount to PC through SynScan Hand Controller somehow, but is this a good idea? I have few related questions after I find I am still confused on this topic: 1. What is difference between EQDIR and EQMOD? Initially I thought that EQDIR is on USB, EQMOD on serial, but I am not so sure no more. 2. If I will connect my EQDIR cable (USB to RJ-45) I will need to use app like Stellarium to access GoTo functionality? Is there any better app than this, or it is absolutely enough and recommended? 3. What kind of connection is better, EQDIR cable (USB to RJ-45) to hand controller port on mount or different cable and through SynScan hand controller to PC? (I am not even sure how). By doing in this 2nd way, I will need to use SynScan for GoTo or Stellarium? 4. SynScan has functionality like "go to home position" or gives me simply possibility to move mount head with arrows. How I suppose to do it if it won't be connected? Please forgive me if I have messed up something, thanks for any advices, Raf

Thank you mate for share. I have already ordered equipment listed in 1st post. Hopefully it will do the job. Btw. I have found that attaching ac/dc adapter to active usb cable will only give you possibility to provide charging, it won't improve signal quality. Cheers

I have almost finished to complete my veeeery first rig (just waiting for mount and few other accessories). I have spent almost twice than I have expected. Reading posts like this as a newbie who is very close to start gives serious gooseflesh Cheers

I have very similar problem but my neighbours have it on motion control which is actually veeeeery sensitive so I turning it on quite frequently just while I walk through my backyard. I don't know yet how it will affect my shots. Maybe just ring set up in the middle of my backyard remotely controlled won't activate it. I haven't speak with neighbours yet, hopefully it won't be necessary, but I keep it in back of my head. I have ordered LPF as I live in Bortle class 7 area what is actually enough to complicate things so we will see. So I wish us both a luck

I have ordered new ZWO ASI 120MM-S USB 3.0 for 150 EUR so cheaper than new mini in EU. As far as I will receive what I have ordered as it's from Aliexpress 😓 btw. I wonder I will need any additional adapters to screw it to stock SW evo 80ed finder scope and catch focus. It comes only with 1,25'' nosepiece.

Hello Guys, This is probably my last riddle before I will finish set up of my rig (then true riddles will start). Basically I need USB hub to plug mount through EQDIR (USB 2.0 standard I guess), DSLR (Canon 6D so, USB 2.0) tracking cam (ZWO ASI 120MM-S USB 3.0) and dew strap. I have read a lot of threads in here and what I am going to order? I have found Sabrent 60W 7-Port USB 3.0 Hub which should be enough. Especially it has 3 separate ports for charging, what is good considering USB dew strap. I assume those charging ports works separately and PC won't be able to detect plugged equipment? As dew strap probably I will pick this one. It is pretty cheap and should be enough for my SW Evo 80ED. It has 3 level temperature regulator and most important it has USB connector. As beginner I don't rly want to invest in more professional straps with separate controller yet. This one should do job hopefully. Right? I need minimum 10m long USB cable. I assume it needs to be active with repeater. I have found this one. But AC adapter isn't included and I have read some negative opinions on Amazon about it. As far as I know, mentioned USB hub has 1,5m USB 3.0 cable included what will give me 11,5m in total. Any advices on it or recommendations of another one? I have 15m power extension cord with 4 DC sockets. So I will be able to plug mount AC/DC adapter, USB Hub AC/DC adapter and USB extension AC/DC adapter. So in here I should be ok with 1 spare DC socket. Power and USB extension cables must got through balcony doors which needs stay closed. I have tested it already and it should be ok. Hopefully it won't damage cables. I will try to trap the cables with the door in a slightly different places each time. I will appreciate your opinions and tips, thanks, Raf

Thank you Dave!

Thank you @Davehux, Ring like attached one? I have ordered also Optolong L-Pro EOS-FF clip in filter. Do you think that FF/Reducer could affect it in any way? I might need it as I live in Bortle class 7 area. Regards, Raf

This makes things a bit complicated for me. Or maybe I will be able to find extension cord with very thin cable to let it go through balcony doors and to be able to close it somehow. Or I will buy 2 x 10m ac adapter tiny extension cords plus 10m usb as I doubt it there is any 10m power extension cord with tiny cable. Thank you.

Hey Guys, As I am closer to start (just wait for mount delivery and must to buy few more accessories) I want to double check that I have everything that I need for imaging and observations as well in terms of rings/adapters etc. This area is pretty complicated for a newbie even after watching tons of vids it will be better for me to make things tied together. I have SW Evostar 80 ED with Dual-Speed 2" Crayford Focuser installed, Canon 6D and FF/Reducer. Below I will list few scenarios which could be a case for me. Please correct me if I am wrong somewhere: 1. DSLR + 0,85x field flattener: Sounds easy as everything I need is to screw FF to nosepiece, install it in focuser and on other side screw M48 Camera Adapter and plug in DSLR. I can rotate it on nosepiece and focuser connection. 2. DSLR without FF: I need to buy 2 inch Focus Extension T Adapter. On one side I will screw nosepiece, on other M48 Camera adapter and plug in DSLR. I can rotate it on nosepiece and focuser connection. Regarding above, is there any situation where imaging DSO without FF/Reducer will be better? Or if I have FF/Reducer already, should I forget about buying "2 inch Focus Extension T Adapter" as there is no point? My concern is that I have full frame camera so that's why I am not sure I will need so huge FOV. 1. Observations: This sounds easy. I just need to install diagonal into focuser and put eyepiece on the other side of diagonal. I can rotate it on diagonal and focuser connection. Actually this the only scenario that I have tested already on 10m far rock fences and I was able to find focus without any problems. Below two cases are pretty mixed so please be patient :) 2. Observations with FF/Reducer. I am not even sure this is possible but I have seen on Field of View Calculator in "Observations" tab, there is possibility to add FF/Reducer. So I have tried 3 ways. First was to screw nosepiece to FF/Reducer and install in focuser, screw FF/Reducer to diagonal and install eyepiece. Second way was just to install diagonal in focuser, screw nosepiece to FF/Reducer and eyepiece on other side, install it in diagonal. 3rd try was to screw nosepiece to FF, then eyepiece to FF (without diagonal) and install it into focuser. I was unable to catch focus on 10m far rock fence in any of those ways. 3. I have 2 adapter which I am not sure what is it (please find attached pictures). Both match focuser and eyepiece hole in diagonal. So my guess 1.jpg is adapter for 1,25'' eyepiece which goes to diagonal but what is 2.jpg I have no clue. Maybe just different version of the same adapter? Thanks for any respond, regards, Raf

Sound good. Thank you! edit: @Budgie1 I have one more question. Does your usb hub need ac adapter to handle all those devices or not?

Thank you @Budgie. Useful tip. Is there a difference to plug it through hdmi or usb? I have 6D.