Newforestgimp

I do like the way ST works, I’m definitely not after the last word in tweaking layers and masks. So I bought the full license, but my APP trial has lapsed, which I liked the stacking process. thanks for that effort it’s given me some confidence im on the right track. I did set gain to 90 👍

Interesting article, the corner stars might take a few goes to understand the method fully though.

Holy moly !! I really didn’t expect anything like that certainly not without darks or flats, I was just curious if anyone could stack them as DSS didn’t want to know. What work flow do you use in startools ? I find sometimes my results are less that pleasant 😂

Interesting article, the corner stars might take a few goes to understand the method fully though.

Ooh I’ll take a look at that, I was using the Orion User Manual.

And then you have to repair brand new gear because it doesn’t work 😂

I will have another round or 3 of collimation, I’m even considering one of those electronic Collimators like the Ocal as I’m just not sure how I would tell if it was any better as it looked pretty good by eye. I guess the positive on this set of subs is the stars are better than before first collimation.

I was advised to use 90 and 0 for the ASI071 not used a dedicated astro cam before, what settings would you suggest ?

I'm starting to think I'm a refractor guy too 🙂

thank you, I dont doubt it on both points, collimation and focus, the collimation was much worse when i first attempted taking any captures. I just binned the lot. Do you think focus or collimation is the primary reason ? The focusing is annoying me that the autofocus routines always give different results after multiple passes, leaving me unsure which is the best focus position.

yeah but it only stacks about 4 from the entire list.

Thanks Vlaiv, Im getting a bit tired of the autofocus routines, i thought my eyesight was bad but..... Which software are you using to do the binning ? im not familiar with doing that.

Hi All, Im after a favour, below are a couple of drop box links to two sets of data captured last night, I cant get DSS to stack them, it sees no stars. I wondered if any of you processing gurus could have a go at one or both sets and see why you think DSS wont stack them ? they come from my new big rig as i call it, ive been having some teething problems shall we say and these are the first captures for me. I appreciate there might not be enough data to get a decent image i was experimenting with 1min and 3 min exposures on two different targets. I would like to see if anyone can determine why i cant stack, no stars found etc. captured on RC8" with ASI071MC Pro 90 gain 0 Offset. They are only Lights, no darks or flats as yet captured. M27 https://www.dropbox.com/sh/z6ncux1ucblhuil/AACm_3lbRj5dQP7x5-oA7rvva?dl=0 Crescent https://www.dropbox.com/sh/hne3yqytxj4kgdr/AAB9VPI1mssHVCed_9ut0TCHa?dl=0 See what you think.... Andy

Perfecto !

200x200x600 is a nice solid block, will it be tall enough ? mine is 150x150x1500 with about 2’ in concrete

That’s what I do.

The only thing I would say if it’s oak it’s really heavy I mean REALLY F’ing heavy (excuse my language) so removable would limit size, depending on strength. I could just about manage to manoeuvre (I couldn’t lift it other than bear hugging and standing straight, and kind of shuffling along) with much swearing. but I like the idea.

Ah yes the covered area is next years project 👍

Yeah it’s not a permanent telescope pier, I just got fed up with tripods, I do tend to leave it set for a few days. I have markings on the plates to give me North so normally it’s a few little tweaks and I’m aligned again, then a quick check before the subsequent nights.

Buildings have stood for centuries on oak, I’m happy it will be ok for my telescope. But seriously if it should warp or go out of true the levelling plate will adjust to account for it. I suppose it could split in middle of a session but I’ll live with that risk 👍

I had it delivered, it can be VERY expensive so do shop around, a local-ish wood mill who deliver is best, because of the weight some charge a fortune for delivery.

Do it, all joking aside it gives it a second use as a bird table as the best place for it was smack bang in centre of garden & I didn’t want a random post stuck there.

It’s pretty solid, 6” sq solid green oak, I could barely lift it, it’s not like any old timber. yes it will split as it ages but as it ages it will get tougher, the splits don’t impact on its strength. it doubles as the worlds most over engineered bird table.

Cheers, last years project. I’d never get away with a concrete or metal one, and I’ve got bit of an oak fetish, I think it will hold for a few years 😉

Would be very interested to hear how this works out, could be tempted. 👍