Wish me luck....

[Helen]

I'm going to attempt to image from my patio tonight  

I've been spoilt by my permanent set up, but am going on holidays next week and so need to remind myself how to use a mobile skywatcher set up (now being on Mesu in the obs).  I expect lots of muttering!!!  and scrabbling around for cables etc.  But hopefully it will mean I'll have all the bits I need next week and will be able to make the most of dark skies in France.

Wish me luck...

Helen

[Moon-Watcher]

Hello Helen, enjoy your trip.

Where in South Wales are you?

[Scott]

I'm sure you'll muddle through Helen but I'll wish you luck anyways

[silios]

Good luck ( and make a nice list with the gear needed for the trip )

[happy-kat]

Hope it goes well tonight :-)

[JamesF]

Always an excellent plan to do a dry run whilst you have time to correct the problems   Enjoy your holiday.

James

[Helen]

Thanks 

Got my pad ready for the list.  Nearly had a major accident while trying to balance the side-by-side rig - so in the book will go 'get Mike to help when setting up!!' 

Scopes now balanced though, so next are IT problems (sorry, challenges  )

Helen (in Rhymney Valley)

[Davey-T]

Good luck Helen, make a list and check it twice three times.

Are you taking Solar stuff as well ?

Dave

[Helen]

Yep, solar too 

[Singlin]

Good Luck Helen!

Enjoy your Holiday.

[laudropb]

Hope all goes well tonight and you get to enjoy wonderful dark skies on your holiday.

[lennylovit]

give me a shout if you need to borrow any thing / need a hand

Lenny

[ollypenrice]

I've forgotten how to do it, Helen! Best of luck.

Skies are good here at the moment. Very good - but it's just a little hot. Be prepared!

Olly

[Helen]

Quick update report after two nights out.  Firstly, I now appreciate my obs even more!!  But I have enjoyed the challenge  I've decided piggy-backing is much easier to balance  (and safer) than side-by-side.  Got the software updated too and had a few runs at polar aligning - doing it without polaris makes it a bit tougher (so hoping that experience won't be needed when away!) I also had to read up on how to stop the synscan handset only showing certain alignment stars (it kept showing only ones hidden behind the house!!)  First night was testing imaging - proof of concept rather than producing anything.  Last night was primarily visual - I had some really nice views but couldn't resist putting the camera in for the moon.  Learnt that my Surface Pro laptop likes to lose data from the SD card - like all of the moon data     - so while I was very unhappy this morning at least I know I need to do something different!

Despite enjoying the visual I much prefer alt az for visual, so will be taking a manual head too.  

Useful 

We travel next Saturday, so a week to pack into as small a space as possible - if Olly says it is hot at least I won't need too many clothes 

Helen