andrew s

With usb3 and a CMOS camera (where you can't do on chip binning) I can't see any reason to bin other than during image processing after capture. Binning then trying to recover the resolution is just plain wrong. I have a scope with over 2m focal length with an ASI1600 and don't bin. Regards Andrew

Ay laddie, that'll do it.

Ok take it at face value . No quantum process could be used as anything the size of a human could not escape environmental decoherence. Even the 400 CMB photons per cm3 could/would be enough. Regards Andrew

It might just be the optics are not capable of "perfect" images full field. Has anyone got this setup and achieved the required precision? Regards Andrew

Is this thread in the science subsection or the science fiction subsection? ? Not that I mind one way or the other. Regards Andrew

Even if it were possible in principle, which I doubt. If the data cannot be read instantly what happens to those bits that moved fractionally or electrical impulses that initiated in the interval during the data read? Also if you just send data what do you do with the material (person) left behind? Regards Andrew

@vlaiv I don't understand the point of binning the CMOS ASI1600 on capture as it is software binned and not on chip? Do you have a specific reason for the recommendation? I use my ASI1600 at full resolution as it then gives me the most options for post processing. Regards Andrew

First class well done. Regards Andrew

Try using CCD Inspector on the images. It has a free trial period and might give you a better understanding of the issues. Regards Andrew

Never was! Regards Andrew

Anyone remember "The flip side of Dominic Hide" where the eponymous hero goes back and fathers his ancestor? He sets the mother up for life by getting the football scores for the week ahead. Now that's a genetic time slip in the terminology of the series. Regards Andrew

See the Two Ronnies Mastermind sketch for disrupted causality. Regards Andrew

That's the Block Universe a perfectly respectable theory. Everything is determined and exists. We just appear to move through it in time. Regards Andrew

Equally playful @ollypenrice. Causality is the basis fo all order. There could be no nature for us to fail to grasp. It would all be engulfed in an bicycle of paradox and contradictions. A race to simultaneous order and disorder The entropy and the agony of being (or possibly not) Regards Andrew

Without some form of causality then almost nothing would make any sense. Prediction would be impossible. Retrodiction undecidable. Now where is that nice cup of tea for my improbability drive. Regards Andrew

If you take bias frames you can then used scaled darks taken at the longest exposure. Regards Andrew

I think it is mainly historic. It is simpler to machine round components and lap them for precision. Accurate milling of flat surfaces is much more difficult. It is easy to forget the original Crayford focuser was designed for the man with hand tools to self build, not as an ideal design! I have never understood why the basics of kinematic design have not been widely applied in astronomy equipment for the amateur. It is not rocket science and would overcome many of the flex and shift issues we encounter. Regards Andrew

Once you are seeing limited, and not doing lucky imaging by eye or device, then all aperture brings is extra photons and possibly a bad back. Improved S/N let's you go deeper if sky brightness allows, or image with shorter exposures and/or higher cadance. It all depends on what you want to observe and how you want to do it. Spectroscopy, my thing, is photon limited so I have a 400mm ODK but it takes two people and a ramp to get it on the mount! ? You pays your money and takes your choice. Regards Andrew

I think for imaging/visual there is a definate sweat spot or small region. It is bounded by a number of factors. Less than 300mm due to the change in the effect of seeing as the " seeing cells" get resolved. S/N ratio scales as diameter not area Weight/portability goes as size^2 or size^3 depending on type Cost goes as diameter^x where x is 3 or more. This leads to the normal range of scopes we see used by SGL members. Regards Andrew

Just look further away and you will see further back in time! ?‍♂️ Regards Andrew

A mount is the sum of its parts mechanics, electromechanical, firmware, software and importantly support. How these are integrated and optimised can make it a joy or a pain as several threads on SGL will confirm. There are no technical magic bullets all have strengths and weaknesses. Given that we require them to point and track at such fine tolerances it is almost a miracle that such fine mounts are available. Even more so when you consider price. Regards Andrew

...and why he also had larger ones. Regards Andrew

Delighted you have it working. Just 4 mths from the first post, if my maths is right. You must be a relieved and happy imager. Well done all that helped. Regards Andrew

So most possibly digital noise in the control loop and unrelated to real motion of the axis? Regards Andrew

Gven the mass/inertia of the mount and scope, how could they respond that fast? What is being measured here? I suspect noise e.g. star scintillation. Regards Andrew