smoggy

On 02/08/2020 at 16:17, wormix said:

Did you find a solution to this in the end?  
 

Picking up a Meg tomorrow so will be wrestling with flatteners myself soon. 

Sorry for not noticing this sooner, I assume you're sorted but if not I've replied above.

On 12/04/2021 at 19:59, flyingbarron said:

I'd also like to know the answer

I've got the stellamirra 0.8x flattener/reducer and it seems to work well with my canon DSLR. https://www.firstlightoptics.com/stellamira-telescopes/stellamira-2-inch-0-8x-reducer-field-flattener-with-m42-adapter.html

Finished it today, running out of space to put all these NASA Lego models now!

Hi

I've got a physics with astrophysics degree and the amount of maths in the degree (and the level of it) was close to 50% of the content. My concern would-be the step up from a BSc in astronomy (where, in general, the level of maths is not comparable to a physics degree) to a MSc and PhD in astrophysics. 

If you have confidence in your maths then go for it and for all I know the BSc may contain more maths then I envisage. 

1 hour ago, Waldemar said:

If you installed the latest version of ASCOM, which is 6.5 at the moment, a problem shooter called ASCOM Diagnostics, is also installed. Did you run that?

Thanks for this, my antivirus software was blocking two downloads which must have been the key ones as it now works when I've reinstalled with the antivirus disabled.  Thank you.

17 minutes ago, Cornelius Varley said:

The problem is that the Ascom option doesn't appear to be available, even though both laptops are running the same version of Stellarium.

Yep exactly that, the menu shown above with ASCOM shows on one laptop but not the other, I'm at a loss! I'll probably uninstall everything and try again.

Hi all

I'm trying to control my AZ-EQ5 mount using stellarium.  I have followed identical procedures for two laptops, one had the ASCOM option and one did not (I'm hoping to use the laptop that did not show it so I can keep my work laptop indoors)  Could anyone suggest why ASCOM might not be showing as an option on one of the laptops?  EQMOD is working fine so I am assuming necessary drivers are all on there.  Both laptops are running 0.20.1.

I'm just a beginner myself but I would consider getting up and ready before 3. I was out last night and could see it from 1 onwards, albeit I am further north than you. You might be battling sunrise before too long if you come across a few difficulties at 3.

Thank you very much!

I'm currently putting my shopping list together to see if astrophotography is for me.  However, the cheapest part has got me stumped.  I've been advised to buy the stellamira 0.8x field flattener/reducer for my scope which requires 55mm of back focus.  I believe the distance to the sensor in my camera if 44mm which leaves the M48 T ring adaptor needing to be 11mm.  Is 11mm a standard width as I'm struggling to find any website that quotes the thickness of these adopters unless it is ultra thin.  

Hi all

 I've had my lovely little Megrez 72 for 18 months now and have just used it as a quick grab and go.  I'm now looking at dabbling into astrophotography and seeing if it is for me or not.  I have an old Canon EOS 1000D which probably isn't ideal but should get me use to the first principles.  I have an AZ-EQ5 which has predominantly been used in AZ mode but I've recently been experimenting in EQ mode to get use to it.  All I need now is a guidescope and camera and a field flattener.  This is where I have become a bit stuck.

Sadly the WO flattener that is recommended in the manual is no longer produced so I'm looking at alternative options but would greatly appreciate any guidance.  I'm not overly fussed at to whether a reducer is included or not as I like the idea of a larger field but understand the benefits of shorter exposure time with a reducer.  I'd just like the best flattener for the job!  I have so far found these options which may or may not be a good fit and would appreciate any guidance:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/reducersflatteners/ovl-field-flattener.html

https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/william-optics-p-flat6aiii-adjustable-field-flattener-08x-reducer.html  It doesn't mention the adjustment for the Megrez 72 so no idea if it could work or how you calculate the adjustment needed.

And this morning I noticed that RVO are offering an ED refractor that seems to mirror all the Megrez stats and they have produced a field flattener for their own refractor although in the review of the scope the review mentions an allen key being needed to attach the flattener so not sure it would be compatible with the Megrez:  https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/rvo-horizon-10x-rotatable-field-flattener.html

So now I am just going around in circles!  Please help!

And sorry for the poor quality phone pic!

A lovely example of a halo viewable in the north east at the moment that may be of interest for anyone who might catch it!

Hopefully I ordered the last one then!

Thank you all for your help

25 minutes ago, omo said:

Skywatcher weights for the eq3 are 3.4kg and 1.8kg:  https://www.firstlightoptics.com/counterweights/skywatcher-counterweight.html

I had noticed them but as the below poster pointed out I can't find them anywhere. If they do become available is the central hole the same diameter as the 5kg?

I'll have to give it a go if there are no other alternatives. Thank you.

2 minutes ago, bomberbaz said:

Don't wish to state the obvious but you have tried fully sliding the 5KG weight fully up the shaft I take it. 

Sadly I have. It's only a measly megrez 72 it is to balance with. It's fine if a camera it attached but for visual it's just not heavy enough.

Hi all

I currently have a small telescope on the az Eq5 and the supplied counterweights (5kg) are too heavy to balance with the scope. Does anyone know of smaller counterweights that would fit into the shaft?

Thanks in advance