Jump to content

Banner.jpg.b83b14cd4142fe10848741bb2a14c66b.jpg

varius21

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    120

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Posts posted by varius21

    Remote Astrophotography

    in Getting Started With Imaging

    Posted

    Hello everyone,

    I am in the process of selling/buying new gear and since I am still fairly new to this hobby of stargazing I would like to ask a couple of questions.
    What is the minimum setup for remote astrophotography? When I say remote I mean having a telescope in the back garden and operating it from my office-room computer or living room laptop.
    Is there such thing as "remote"? Or even cabled from a 7 meter distance let's say!

    I am sorry if this sounds funny to some people but all I've had so far was a 200p dobsonian which is great for a viewing session but that means I have no idea when it comes to astrophotography.
     

    • Would a HEQ5 pro be good enough of a mount?
    • Is a DLSR suitable or do you need a zwo camera?
    • Does a Newtonian reflector do the trick or do you need a refractor?

    And in general what will I need? Please, not the most expensive items you can think of :D The basic side.

    Thank you in advance :)

    Vasilis

    Need help with an Equatorial Platform

    in DIY Astronomer

    Posted · Edited by varius21

    3 minutes ago, westmarch said:

    Why don’t I pm you with the dimensions.  It will take me a day or so to work it out for your smaller 8” dob.

    John

    wow that would be WONDERFUL and you'd save me. If you could do that I would truly appreciate it.

    P.S. my longitude is: 52.88

    Need help with an Equatorial Platform

    in DIY Astronomer

    Posted

    Just now, callisto said:

    Sorry to but in....I would advise against the 12mm compass as its really tiny and hard to see where its pointing  😧

    I opted for this one...works a treat  :)   https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UK-stock-Fast-delivery-Waterproof-Compass-for-Hiking-Military-Navigation/164483546713?epid=25033515336&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=i

    Thank you Callisto! I chose the small one because I want to stick it on the platform

    Need help with an Equatorial Platform

    in DIY Astronomer

    Posted · Edited by varius21

    Hello, I have been looking online at Equatorial Platform ideas for my 8" dobsonian.

    This is what I partly followed: 
     



    Here's everything I have ordered:

    EQ1 motor drive
    https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/skywatcher-ra-single-axis-economy-motor-drive-eq1.html

    x2 Plywood: 610mm x 610mm - 18mm
    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Exterior-Hardwood-Plywood-BB-FSC-PLY-WBP-5mm-18mm-Cut-To-Size-Sheets/284101547528?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=585593433984&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2648

    x2 Aluminum Sheet Plate 200mm x 200mm - 4mm
    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aluminium-Sheet-Plate-Flat-1mm-4mm-Multiple-Sizes-Available-Grade-1050A-H14/283528663514?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=584704869651&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2648

    x4 adhustable feet
    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/M8-M10-M12-Levelling-Height-Adjustable-Machine-Furniture-Feet-with-Lock-Nut-UK/132754954645?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=432066591291&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2648

    Compass
    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12mm-Mini-Small-Pocket-Button-Survival-Compasses-For-Camping-Hiking-Outdoor/264747275918?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2648

    Bubble level
    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/32-x-6mm-Diameter-Disc-Bubble-Spirit-Level-Round-Circle-Circular-Tripod-bullseye/402444058640?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=672584086868&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2648

    Some bolts & nuts
    https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B077HRPJRG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    Metal roller ball
    https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07MX7R5K7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    Washer
    https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07S8X7P73/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    x4 Pillow block insert bearing
    https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07QJYDVT7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s03?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    Steel rod 400mm - 8mm
    https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07MV83GXB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    The trouble I am having is geometry.... I am really not that good at it and I don't know how to go about building this thing. The more I search online the more complicated it seems. Does anyone have a clear guide?

    Thank you in advance

    DSLR for planet images

    in Getting Started With Imaging

    Posted

    Now, to be honest with you... that's exactly what I needed in my life! A DIY project of something exciting that will save me money and help me do stuff I like!
    I do have tools thanks to my home improvement projects (different kinds of saws etc) and now I will do plenty of research because I need to learn quite a lot about the way it will work in order to build it correctly.
    This should work for DSO too, right? :D

    DSLR for planet images

    in Getting Started With Imaging

    Posted

    11 minutes ago, vlaiv said:

    Does your dob have tracking (is it goto version)?

    If not, I'm afraid that you won't do much planetary imaging with it ...

    Even if you do have tracking mount - DSLR camera is not the best for planetary imaging.

    For good results with planetary imaging, you want very short exposures - like less than 10ms exposures and you want to a lot of them, and I mean a lot - tens of thousands of frames are quite common per single video.

    DSLR cameras have three problems:

    - Large pixel size

    - Video often limited to 30fps

    - Video is recorded using compression

    If you use regular DSLR with say 4.3µm pixel size - then Jupiter when largest in the sky will be only 60 pixels across. Your 8" f/6 telescope has diffraction limited field with radius of 2.4mm, so you can shoot planets only in this central zone. Outside of this zone scope will suffer from too much coma for planetary imaging.

    If you try drift method - where you let planet drift thru the FOV and you record it during that time - you will only have about 50 seconds of video. With 30fps - that makes 1500 frames - not nearly enough for serious image - not to mention that you will have to center planet and let it drift over the center of the FOV with your camera attached (not impossible but not quite walk in the park either).

    In reality you want dedicated planetary camera and lap top and of course tracking mount.

    This is good starter planetary camera:

    https://www.firstlightoptics.com/zwo-cameras/zwo-asi120mc-s-usb-3-colour-camera.html

    You'll also need barlow - about x2.5 so get x2 barlow and dial in sensor distance.

    You'll need laptop with SSD and USB3.0 (well, you can still work with laptop with regular HDD and USB2.0 - its just that these are standard these days and they will improve things).

    If you don't have tracking - look at equatorial platform for dobsonian telescopes.

    Thank you once again! I should be paying you for all the advice you’ve been giving me. I can’t say that I am not disappointed that I can’t even take a decent photo of a planet with my dobs without a go-to mount though. 😕 

    DSLR for planet images

    in Getting Started With Imaging

    Posted · Edited by varius21

    Hello again. I know I ask too much but I've been searching on here so much and I got confused.
    So I am looking to pair a DSLR with my 8" dobs for planetary images (& short vids to stack frames).
    I am looking on ebay for something under £250 that possibly comes with a lens (for general use as well...

    Any suggestions for something decent, used at the mentioned price range?
    I appreciate all the help I am getting from all you nice people in here, you've been extremely helpful and I love how this community is so nice! :)

    Vasilis

     

    P.S. I certainly don’t expect anyone to go searching for me. I am only looking for suggestions, what kind of camera I should look for. :)

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.