LaurenceT

Thanks for that Dave.

Excellent Lee, I'll try that 👍

I've decided to bite the bullet and learn Photoshop after having jogged along for years being happy with Lightroom for my wildlife photography. I'm starting a free YouTube course but at the same time learning how to use the Astronomy Tools Action Set with Photoshop. I notice on the YouTube videos I've followed (Astroexploring and Astroaddict) that when an action is performed a new layer appears, but when I do it the new layer appears for a brief half second and then disappears. I find this frustrating because it means I can't undo an action if I don't like the results. Be grateful for some advice.

Will do, thanks Adam and @PadrePeace for your help.

I bought it used . Edit: I've just checked the scope and the reducer wasn't absolutely screwed into the scope, there could have been a centimetre or slightly more of rotation 🙄

So is there a mismatch between the scope and the flattener/reducer?

That's what I thought. I don't know if it's relevant to back focus but I got a perfect pattern on a bahtinov mask on Vega. Perhaps there's something wrong with the scope?

Thanks for the reply Adam, much appreciated. This is the setup I'm using:

It would seem that the fringing only appeared after my attempt at further processing!

Image after processing and stretching in APP, exported to Dxo Photolab just for conversion to JPG. This is full size:

I understand, thanks, I will have to work out where in the process it got reduced.

Sorry for the newbie reply but how would I display a full resolution image, I've done so much processing of it?

Just had first light with this little scope, being an absolute novice I've had a bit of a fiddle with the post processing and I'm still unsure about the best software route to get rid of some blue haloing around the larger stars. I'd like some criticism in general about the image to help get me on my way. California Nebula,150x60 sec lights, no calibration frames, unguided, asi533mc pro, Asiair Pro, Skywatcher Az GTi in EQ mode. Processed in APP, DXo Photolab, Lightroom and Topaz.

I'll have a go at that.

For the previous two nights I've set up under clear skies at about 1900 and started imaging only to shut up shop half an hour later due to clouds. Last night was no different but when we took the hound into the garden at 2330 there was a lovely clear sky. My wife, fed up with my moaning obviously, insisted I had another go so I set up and decided on the Elephants Trunk. All seemed to be going well looking at my Ipad while watching a Netflix film when suddenly I realised I was imaging my trees instead! Quick re-adjustment of target and I found the California Nebula and started imaging, it was now 0130 and it went well until I wrapped it up at about 1530 and went to bed. Askar FMA 180, Az GTi mount in EQ mode, Asiair Pro, asi533mc pro. 100x60 second lights, unguided, no calibration frames. Astro Pixel Processor, Dxo Photolab3, Topaz and finally a bit of Lightroom. My astrophotography and processing are in their infancy!

I've found a solution which works for me with my beginners knowledge of astronomy. I open Stellarium and on the left I select "Sky and Viewing options window". I then select "DSO" and then "select labels and markers". I then select those options which I find useful ; Use outlines for big deep sky objects use proportional hints use additional names of DSO. Under the SSO tab I select "show solar system objects" I can now see at a glance what my targets may be for a given time or date. I'll now see if I can find a similar work around in SkySafari. Thanks for all the replies, at the very least I've been able to understand the various options in Stellarium and now maybe SkySafari.

I'm new to imaging, only really started this year. I am using an Asiair and have SkySafari and Stellarium installed on my laptop for reference purposes. What I'm really after is a way to see all the available targets of a particular type in my area for that night on a single screen while indoors planning my session. I am obviously able to use SkySafari for instance to select a target from a list and see its position and movement but that's only giving me one target at a time. Perhaps I'm asking for the impossible but I'd appreciate some comments.

Thanks

How does the integration of the astroberry/stellarmate with the Asiair work?

His DSLR is compatible with the Asiair as is his other gear and he's talking about getting an Asi guide camera.

The Nikon D600 has been officially tested by ZWO. Sorry, missed the post by @SmokeyJoe

I moved from Astroberry to Asiair and it was the best decision I've made in my astrophotography journey. The power question is an interesting one, I have been using this in my search for an ultra portable setup: Celestron 6.1 Ah Powertank Lithium LT | First Light Optics Many people would criticize this as being inadequate to power an Asiair but I use it to power the Asiair only, my mount and the camera are powered by smaller Talentcell units (Amazon). I have run this happily for 2 hours but of course many imagers would need something running for much longer. The capacity of the Celestron unit is 73.3 Wh which is inside the the FAA rules: Pack Safe – Batteries, lithium (faa.gov) "Lithium ion (rechargeable) batteries are limited to a rating of 100 watt hours (Wh) per battery. " I don't know what the rules would be in taking more than one battery on board.

That's certainly bizarre behaviour, have you updated the firmware to the latest version?

I'd be grateful if someone could help a non-engineer with this. I have the same setup and on checking mine the gap is obvious. It doesn't seem to affect performance but is there a risk of damage to the EAF?

Thanks for pointing out the Altair offering, I hadn't seen that one. You've provided me with a great deal of information.