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stevebb

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Blog Entries posted by stevebb

  1. stevebb
    Well, after struggling for a few years in a fairly light polluted area I have moved to the edge of Dalby Forest just outside Scarborough and the sky's are just magical.
    A shame my neighbour has a security light that is permanently on as soon as a hint of darkness approaches - I offered to buy him a PIR operated one but - it is a touchy subject so best left alone !
    Anyway, just laid a concrete plinth and trimmed some top branches. Clear view to Polaris north and an uninterrupted southern view which is great.
    I have just set up an Astronomy Imaging UK group on Facebook which is a sister group to our Aurora UK group - two groups worth joining ;)
    Hope to post more soon.
    Steve
  2. stevebb
    Here are a few more basic Tutorials I have just written for Polar Alignment and astrophotography - primarily to help a small bunch of friends including myself. They are not all out guides but just enough to get started ...
    Polar Alignment - Polar alignment tutorial with photographs - for an EQ6 Pro mount but idea should be the same for others
    Subs & Frames - what are they all about, how to capture them and how to use them
    BackyardEOS - Basic intro to operating this amazing imaging program for Canon cameras
    More guides to come ....
    Steve
  3. stevebb
    Spoke to Ian King imaging, I have never dealt with Ian before, ordered an Ikharus field flatenner / focal reducer and a Moonlite Focuser for my SkyWatcher Equinox ED120 refractor.
    What a very pleasant gentleman :)
    Focuser arrived (from stateside) and it was such an easy fit (original unscrewed and new one was an identical thread) I do like the fact that you can rotate the focuser without having to release the tension on the fitting first. Looks fabulous and should easily be able to take the weight of my modded DSLR and even a battery grip too.
    When wife finds out how much I have spent though I will lose my other arm and a leg :eek:
    Thanks again to Ian, brilliant service and advice from start to finish.
    Steve
  4. stevebb
    Welcome to the blog !
    At the moment, trying to make the diversion between my main hobby that being photography to my newer one of Solar imaging.
    Last year I picked up a SolarMax 60mm Double Stacked scope and the views using it have been absolutely incredible.
    So to be able to capture with a camera what I can visually see through the eyepiece has really set me a challenge and one that unfortunately i now realise I have to save up and get a true imaging system as the DSLR by it's inherent sensor makeup is blocking most of the red end of the spectrum thanks to the IR blocking filter.
    So a DMK-41 perhaps or similar may be on santa's wish list next year.
    I also need to take time out and work out how to use Registax and Images plus (and the remote camera interface). If anyone is near Harrogate and fancies a "working BBQ" next time it warms up then let me know :D
    I also need to revisit York astronomical society, I have only managed a few occasions and they are a great bunch - no excuse really, I just need to get my derrier into gear.
    Well, not sure if this counts as a blog but it sets me some direction for this next year.
    Regarding the photography, if anyone is up for a trip out then please get in touch. I am always up for it work permitting.
    Best wishes and a Happy 2011
    Steve
  5. stevebb
    (musings from May ......)
    Well, funds were running low and I could not justify spending another £2k on both mount and imaging camera for Solar work. It broke my heart but realising I could not use my Canon 5DMkII to image what I was seeing through the eyepiece to the same level, it had to go.
    I picked up quite a package in part exchange, some bits I wont need and will be appearing in the for sales area. Some I might need in the future (QHY-5 camera and IR remote control PS2 controller for guiding scope from inside a warm room !).
    Also deciding to part with one of the Equinox's as having two (ED80 and ED120) is a bit overkill for a beginner like me. Also obtained a Startraveller 80mm scope in addition which may have a future use in conjunction with the QHY-5 for autoguiding.
    All this and I still need to learn how to polar align !!!
    Steve
  6. stevebb
    After a long time trying, the challenge of autoguiding has just about been sorted - took quite a lot of problem solving though.
    Equipment:
    QHY5 camera
    SkyWatcher ST80 refractor
    USB cables
    Software:
    QHY5drv
    QHY5drvupdate
    AscomPlatform6.1
    Microsoft Net Framework 2.0 Service Pack 2
    Microsoft Net Framework 3.0 Service Pack 2
    Microsoft Net Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1
    PHD
    and some additional software that allows complete removal of QHY5 drivers to start all over again - Astrosoftbe/InstallTool (thanks to Bern from Modern Astronomy for his instructions and links because I would not have sorted this without his help).
    Well, I installed all the above and the QHY5 camera went about calibrating itself, moving the mount on all planes and then came up GUIDING. I was so pleased then ...... as soon as I started my first capture with BYEOS - PHD crashed with errors 31 and error 22 intermittently. Removed and reloaded drivers and again same problem. Checked BYEOS was set to dither mode (PHD set to server enabled), crashed. Tried different drivers (QHY5_1024), still crashed and even though I tried all 4 USB slots on the laptop I could not get the two programs to work together. Only thing I can put it down to is a USB clash but unsure how to isolate. Thought about a USB cable problem but as u will read later, it works fine on a 2nd lappy so probably not that.
    However, all was not lost and fired up the netbook which is notoriously slow and of course I had to download MS Net Framework which took around 2 hours to install. But - it worked even though PHD is not tied in with BYEOS and I was running out of time and patience - 0200am. I took 3 x 6 minute captures of M51 and they were absolutely perfect.
    So, needing two laptops but I am autoguiding - the port clash (if it is this) has beaten me for now but the main thing is .... sorted :)
    Next challenge will be EQMOD but that will be for another day ;)
    Steve
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