CraigD1986

I'm using an ASIAir Plus but have always recorded to an SD card so I can take the card out and transfer the files easily afterwards. I'll try recording to the internal storage next time. The Frame rate improves at lower resolutions but my FOV is tiny (Skywatcher 190MN and ASI662MC) so it would be good to be able to take 1080p lunar videos.

Hi All. I'm just getting into planetary imaging and have noticed that when I start recording a video, the frame rate often drops from around 100fps to 10fps after a few seconds. Is this buffering as the file is being written to the SD card or something else?

Hi All. I’d like to try combining luminance with dual narrowband data and have chosen the cigar galaxy as a suitable target. I’m using a ZWO ASI533MC pro and have an Astronomik L3 filter and an Optolong L-enhance. What kind of ratio of data between the two filters should I aim for? More broadband data or more l-enhance? Do I stack the data sets separately and combine in Pixinsight or do I stack it all together? TIA

Thanks for the everyone’s input but as I said, I’m trying out planetary imaging to see if it’s for me and therefore am looking to see if it’s possible with the gear I already have. If I decide that I enjoy planetary imaging, then I can worry about all of the above but for now, it’s way beyond me. I’m not looking for award winning images, just to get started.

Thanks for the replies. As I’m just dipping my toe in the water, I’m just making use of what I already have. If I enjoy planetary imaging, I’ll buy a planetary camera. If that time comes, how do I decide which camera to buy? ASI224MC or similar?

I’m dipping my toe in the water with planetary imaging and have a couple of newb questions. Here’s my gear: Skywatcher 190MN (1000mm f5.3) Mak Newt astrograph ASI533MC Pro Celestron 3x X-Cel Barlow 1) My focuser only has 40mm of travel and I can’t get enough back focus to achieve focus. Can I just buy some of these to extend the distance: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Extension-M42x0-75mm-Telescope-Accessory-Astrophotography/dp/B0BDV5652K/ref=sr_1_4?crid=17UAT6QKJ9XGJ&keywords=T2+extension&qid=1699383479&sprefix=t2+extension%2Caps%2C88&sr=8-4 2) When using video mode in ASIAir, even when selecting the lowest resolution (which I assume is the equivalent of region of interest), the frame rate drops considerably when I start recording - to about 4 fps. Why is this? I have a 32gb Sandusky Extreme Pro micro SD card in if that makes a difference. 3) What’s the best way to focus if there is no moon? I have the ZWO EAF. Just manually by eye or focus on a star? thanks in advance!

Thanks for confirming Paul. I’d read in numerous places that it was possible but I just can’t get it to work so assumed I was doing something wrong. Please please please ZWO - add this in the next update.

Just following up on this. I can confirm that the ASIAir does not use the position when turned on as home. I need to be able to lay the scope flat at the end of the imaging session so my roof can close but can’t figure out a way to do this. If I turn the ASIAir on when the scope is flat, then use the manual slewing controls to move the scope around, when I then “go to home”, it returns to the flat position it was in when turned on. However, if I plate solve anything, home is then reset to the NCP. Also, when the scope is flat and ASIAir is turned on, go-to is way off so I think the ASIAir thinks the scope is pointing at NCP when turned on. Anyone know how to achieve this?

Thanks so much. I hope I have a 1mm spacer somewhere. If it didn’t come with the camera then I’ll have to buy one. I recently bought a acre-in adapter from FLO, which reduced tilt a lot

I have my ASI533MC Pro set at 55mm from my flattener on the 72ED, as recommended but I think the stars at the corners are all pointing towards the centre. Here is an individual sub. Does anyone have any experience of this and if so, how much more spacing should I be adding? And how? TIA! Light_NGC6992_120.0s_Bin1_20230824-215245_0005.fit

I have a Skywatcher 190MN on a standard Skywatcher 300mm dovetail bar and am thinking of swapping this out for a losmandy but am confused about compatibility. Will either of these work? https://www.firstlightoptics.com/dovetails-saddles-clamps/stellamira_l_dv_uni_13.html https://www.altairastro.com/altair-tms-350mm-losmandy-plate-black-anodized-191-p.asp As I understand it, I don’t want to be bringing the tube rings closer together so the longer the bar the better but I don’t understand what the difference is with all the hole positions, etc.

The first time I had an issue like this, i was told to not re-calibrate the guiding after a flip so I turn this off in the settings and then everything worked as expected again.

Thanks. I'll have a little play with it next time it's not raining

I'm building an observatory and would like the home position of my mount to lay the scope flat so the roof can be lower. Does anyone know how to set a custom home position on the EQ6-R Pro and sync this with ASIAir Plus?

Thanks guys. I'll leave it be for a few more days at least.