Andy ES

Thursday  night I was out trying out some more planetary photography (second time actually). I managed to get some good data on Jupiter and Saturn using firecapture. The problems started however when I tried to use the 1.25” x2 Barlow.

I would centre the planet with a high power EP then insert the Barlow and the camera but I could never find the planet again.

Things I tried were:

ensured all the adapters and Barlow and camera were fully locked in the 2” diagonal , using 1.25 adapter.

moved the focuser fully back and forth

ensured the mount was tracking properly

ensured all dust caps removed 🤪

increased the gain in firecapture 

made sure view was MAX not ROI in  firecapture

When I put the EP back in the planet would still be there!

Hope  someone can suggest what might to happening?

Thanks

Andy

Ian 

I’ve got a CPC925 so everything else is light as a feather! 😂

Thanks both it’s going to be an interesting new hobby.

I should think the skywatcher could be more practical if you have got to take it out to a dark site

if you don’t have a van ??

5 hours ago, Chriske said:

Busy building one last SaturnV.
This one will be 4.2 meter high

Just sitting in my garden looking at the top of the house at the soffits (which I painted a few weeks ago). I know these are 5m up so your model is really impressive at 4.2 metres! I can see the scale very clearly. 

It will be like the rocket garden at the Kennedy space centre in Florida, good effort ! 😁

28 minutes ago, Laurieast said:

Visually I could see none of this detail, so was surprised at how much came out in Registax. I only used one level, but I don't really know what I'm doing with it yet.

On exactly the same journey😁

Paul

I did get some kit in the end (as below in the signature) and put it to work this week.

very first image attached.

As they say “Things can only get better” 😁

Anyway going to be a great new hobby.

9 hours ago, Elp said:

dim" the image and until the planet detail appears clearer. Only then your exposure time should be adjusted to get enough detail in the captures.

Hi

I’m starting to use firecapture with a CPC925 similar to the OP above.

Is it possible to suggest what the gain and exposure settings should be for Jupiter?

I suppose there are loads of variables depending on seeing but perhaps there are average settings to start from?

I’m pretty happy about dimming down after  locating the planet, but really not sure what the exposure Time should be . I think it’s about 1-2ms?

thanks

Hi

Finally got a chance to use the new camera.

I’ve been trying to learn Fire Capture, AS3 and Regi Stax.

amazingly (to me) I managed to get this first ever image out of the computer.😁

Yes, I know it’s pathetic, and I must admit this process is a compete dark art and would be very grateful for any pointers towards any resources which could guide me through it all, particularly with reference to settings and “work and process flow”.

I think sharpening seems to be the most confusing.

Thanks

On 23/09/2021 at 15:12, Kon said:

The nice postman brought me 2 Explore Scientific 82 degree EPs

Hi kon can I ask how long you waited for these?, I’ve had a 24mm 82 degree on order for 9 months

Thanks

5 hours ago, Bigwings said:

Who considers the cost of repair when choosing a scope? I do now

Very good point. I’ve got a slight feeling of foreboding about how much it will cost to repair my CPC Goto when it fails, as it surely will and if it will still be supported them. 😬

2 hours ago, Jetstream15 said:

New to this forum and astrology also,

Welcome Alan, perhaps auto correct strikes again??? 😂

you will get loads of help here.

I’ve been using a CPC925 for about 9 months and have been very impressed with the quality and performance. Lunar and planetary views have been breath taking.

The goto function is very accurate and the alignment process can be achieved in about 5 minutes once you have had a bit of practice. I don’t use the finder scope as I find a red dot finder or Telrad much easier to find alignment stars with. (Eyepieces in use as below)

YES it is a big lump but I move it on a wheeled dolly and then is fairly easy to mount onto the tripod, again it needs a bit of practice to land it . 

The tripod is superb and very stable. I get almost zero wobble.

again it’s not wide field, but don’t confuse that with not being able to view DSOs, as it can do this but without the “space walk” experience.

I highly recommend the CPC925, but don’t get one if you have got a history of bad back problems. 😄

I think Ed Ting on uTube rates the C9.25 optical tube (not the CPC version admittedly) as his second scope he could not do without. 

1 hour ago, Stu said:

My new home is in Crewkerne, Somerset

Stu, 

we were down at Cricket St Thomas a week ago so went through Crewkerne a few times, lovely part of the world congratulations on the dark skys.

Only got this one so I use this, works really well! 😁

This has got me wondering about my CPC mount (which sounds a bit like Robo Cop) and what effect this will have on the neighbours. I have not been able to use it for weeks due to  Permacloud. 

This weekend looks clear, so not sure how disturbing it will be with all the windows open. Luckily we are all on very good terms, at the moment...

I like the idea mentioned about muffling the sound with wind chimes, our three cats screeching may also be of help. 😂

It’s certainly a wonderful image that I have looked and thought about many times, including the animation of it.

IMHO I believe the universe must be teeming with life, most of it however not very “intelligent” like us 😂.

what I find frightening and slightly disheartening is when I talk to people about my resurrected hobby, after a pause of about 30 years, and also in discussions during my whole lifetime, many have no interest or have never given any thought as to what is “going on out there” or “why are we here?”

I sometimes hear “well it doesn’t mean anything to me” or “so what?”

Blimey, maybe two years of Covid has trashed some of our spirits.

48 minutes ago, powerlord said:

It will not come as a surprise though that there is no mrs powerlord. It does make purchases decisions much easier. 🤪

Amen to that Brother ! 😂

Good luck !! 😁 got some serious kit.

9 minutes ago, Jiggy 67 said:

Have you considered one of these

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/diagonals/baader-clicklock-2-dielectric-star-diagonal.html

The beauty of this is the click lock which holds your eyepiece really securely but also enables quick release for ep changes. It leaves no marks on your eyepiece. Optically it’s Baader, so say no more. You can also get a 1.25 click lock adapter if you need to. It’s expensive yes, but worth every penny in my opinion

Got one of these and would recommend it as well. The click lock system is superb and really convenient when changing EPs. My Baader Morpheus EPs fit in the 2” barrel and I’ve got the adapter for the 1.25 EPs.

well worth getting if possible.

Paul

Very impressive I’ve just acquired the same camera and have a 925 so I now know what to aspire to.

cheers

Thanks all for responding, yes I would really like to download some AVI files fo use as if I had captured them from my own telescope.  I’ll have a look at the link.

Hi

I’m beginning to learn/ teach myself planetary photography by reading this forum’s threads and tutorial videos.

However, the weather and planet positions seem to be against me for a couple more months.

I was therefore wondering if there are any sites where some AVI videos may be available to download and “practice” processing on ?

Thanks for any advice.

5 minutes ago, cloudsweeper said:

Never mind AP, visual only can be a bit bonkers.  I've got FIVE telescopes and TWENTY EIGHT EPs.  And you know what? - it's still not enough!  🤪

I got yet another parcel from FLO the other day and my lovely Mrs said, rather wearily, “Is that everything now?”

“nearly” I said but my head was saying “NEVER!” 😂

By the way you can have lots of fun peeling of your FLO “may contain clouds” stickers and putting them on your Mrs’ parcels 😂

35 minutes ago, reezeh said:

Okay, who's for pineapple on pizza!?

Steady you’ll start a riot 😂😂