Andrew INT

Hi, I know there are a few websites which predict ISS transits of the Sun and Moon (ISS Transit Finder, for example). However, I cant find any that send notification emails of transits. I remember there was one a few years ago but I don't think it is running any more. Does anyone here in SGL get automatic notification alerts? Many thanks, Andrew

Thanks - that's another one I can look into! It's currently £79.99 on amazon...

That's perfect, than you. I currently have a dome camera to monitor the telescope, but that can't point upwards without risking water ingress. I had been looking at the C310. Not heard of Contacam - will look it up. Is it free? Also, does it check the video in realtime?

Recently, I have decided to control my telescope indoors via remote access to a laptop over the WiFi. This has worked very well. I've also added a cheap CCTV camera to give me a bit of reassurance that nothing nasty happens to the telescope when it slews. I have noticed that although far from a sensitive astro camera, the little £30 WiFi CCTV camera can detect the brighter stars, Jupiter etc. Since it has an IP address, has anyone here ever tried to use these for meteor detection - or even fireball detection? I know they would never be as good as an ASI or similar, but is this feasible?

Thanks I'll order a new usb 2.0 cable today - cheers.

Hi all, From time to time when running PHD2, connection with my guide camera (ASI 120mm mini) is lost, so I wanted to try a new cable. My windows 11 pc has a thunderbolt port so I tried that using this cable: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B094CCJMFV/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=A3GPEFDFS3MO1G&psc=1 Unfortunately, the laptop couldn't find the camera. Is that to be expected? I also have a spare usb 3.0 port. Should this cable work ok: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B08XJPC2Y6/ref=ox_sc_act_image_2?smid=AXZ3JQ1GVFPIF&psc=1 I wasn't sure since the ZWO supplied cable is usb 2.0 and a much slower transfer speed. Many thanks, Andrew

Thanks Dave - all sorted now :)

Thanks Alan. After an uninstall and install it worked fine! Sorry for the delay in replying - wife was ill. Thanks, Andrew

Hi All, I have recently acquired a new laptop and am in the process of installing all my software and drivers. I'm running Sharpcap Pro to control my Starlight Xpress filterwheel. Although I can rotate the filters using the SX control software, SharpCap does not list the filterwheel under the File-Hardware tab. ASCOM is finding the camera ok, so I'm guessing I may be needing another ASCOM driver for the filterwheel. However, there doesn't appear to be one anymore on the website. Am I in need of a driver, or have I made some other mistake? Thanks, Andrew

I only thought of a cardboard box since it may give a little more insulation than a plastic storage box. The Astroberry sounds like a good solution. Do you find the WiFi link is reliable enough? My pier is about 20ft from the house.

I have a 15m powered USB cable - I'll try running things that way next time. My plan it to build an observatory with a warm room next year. That will solve most of the problem...but generate a load more I expect Thank for the advice!

Hi All, It's a bit below freezing tonight. I was wondering if anyone has any tips for protecting a laptop in the cold? I doubt the screens like temperatures this cold. I'm not going to be imaging for long - an hour at most for Jupiter and Mars. What do people do to protect their laptops during all-nighters in the cold winter? Are rugged laptops the way forwards, or some form of heating...or just an cardboard box or something? Andrew

Yep, that fixes it - cheers. I'll try and test the mount controls tomorrow (in the daylight!)

I have installed the latest ASCOM and EQMOD, I see that there is also an ASCOM driver on the starlight express website- I may have missed that off the file transfer. I'll see if that fixes things - cheers StevieDvd!

Having just upgraded my laptop, I'm in the process of installing my astro software. However, sharpcap Pro can no longer find the starlight express filterwheel. The supplied software can change the filters, but Sharpcap can't find it. Under the hardware tab is only lists simulator or simulator.net The old laptop ran windows 10. New laptop is windows 11. Any idea what I'm doing wrong? Thanks, Andrew

Thanks Olly and Onikkinen, I had taken the original flats the following morning using an LED panel against the aperture - with no white tee-shirt in-between. As you have pointed out, it was a very fast exposure of 1/2000s. I tried again, this time lowering the LED as much as possible and using two layers of tee-shirt. This increased the exposure time (using AV) up to 1/100s and looks to be a more even frame. Does this look more usable now? I'm guessing the dark banding in the first attempt was due to the shutter? Many thanks once again!

I can't upload any files at the moment for some reason. Please see the screenshot below. Many thanks, Andrew

Hi Peter - I don't appear to be able to upload the file in either png or jpeg - I just jet a 'contact us' message. Will try again later.

I have begun capturing dark and flat frames for my wide-field DSO imaging. (Equipment WO 73mm Zenithstar APO, cannon 250D DSLR, software, DSS). Whenever I take flat frames (either using an LED panel or the blue sky), I have a distinct band at the top of the frame. Is this due to the camera shutter or the mirror getting in the way? Any advice welcome! Andrew IMG_0494.CR3

Thanks Steve, that looks promising. An Issue I may have though is that with camera and filter wheel fitted, the 1:10 micro adjuster just spins - I guess it cant take the load. The course adjuster is fine though. The Deepskydad solution appears to only work by a drivebelt on the micro. Thanks for the heads-up though - it's something I can look into (may even be as simple as increasing the tension in the micro-adjuster... if that can be done?

Hi folks, Some years ago I upgraded my old Skywatcher 200mm Newtonian's rack and pinion focuser with a GSO Crayford focuser. It's ok, but I do find that when imaging, if I lock the focuser the image shifts. Because of this, I tend to just increase the friction since this does not have the same result. I'm now looking to get an auto-focuser such as the ZWO EAF, to be controlled via remote laptop. However, the GSO is said to be incompatible with the EAF. In fact I've not seen any other auto focusers which looks as though they will fit. Does anyone here have the GSO and, importantly, resolved this issue? Cheers, Andrew

I've had my eye on the 3m scopedome for several years now. When the v3 came out, I was determined to take the plunge. Base and pier built in anticipation of the new arrival and then, somewhat out of the blue came Covid, furlough and redundancy. Thankfully I'm back in work again and looking to relocate from a Bortle 4 to somewhere darker. Fingers crossed my some will become reality at some point. In the mean time, I have thoroughly enjoyed reading Gordon's adventures in France. I shall make copious notes for future reference! May I ask why you decided to raise the domes? Was is predominantly to create space of equipment under the flooring or for other reasons (such as ventilation? Thanks once again for such a terrific thread Andrew

Welcome to the forum. I love the love the scopedome v3. I plan to own one in the future once we move house. Never seen one in person yet though- not even sure if there are any in the UK. I have heard that they can be a bit flimsy. Is this true? Kind regards, Andrew

Hello and welcome to the forum. They really are a helpful lot here - given me loads of good advice and help over the years!

Hello and welcome to the forum. They really are a helpful lot here - given me loads of good advice and help over the years! Ooh, has to be Orion for me!