Thoughts on which imaging rigs to concentrate on

[Gina]

Correction - what Looked to me like the Eagle Nebula is actually the Seagull Nebula

[Gina]

Unexpected clear sky tonight but I've got a cold and think it best to stay indoors   Anyway, I went out this afternoon in the sunshine and tried to set up ready for tonight just in case but still having trouble with the remote focussing which I will have to sort out.  Just going out in the relative warmth of the sun affected my cold so frustration reigns yet again!!!

[Filroden]

Given how much data you've already collected, a night off, even if clear, is deserved!

I'm not yet convinced the idea of subtracting the two images works to isolate N. When I zoom into the full resolution image, there is so much overlap that data from the Ha must still be in the subtracted image, as there probably shouldn't be so much N visible (I think it should be much lower than OIII and probably more on a par with SII for visibility).

Still, I've now seen the Seagull in a wideangle shot and it looks a wonderful target. I think it's just a little too big to fit into a single frame for me, and probably too low given my horizon, but it's a target I will be adding to my wish list.

[Gina]

Thanks Ken

[Gina]

May rethink what I want to image next depending on when I can get the imaging rig working.  I'll be looking into things tomorrow I expect - depending on how I feel.  I've looked out a Raspberry Pi 3 which has a 32GB micro SD card in it.  Don't know what's on it but I'll connect it up and find out.  I also have a 16GB card with Raspbian on it already.  The RPi HAT I have is not suitable for two Pololu drivers on it due to where the holes are - unless I drill some more and wire direct to socket pins.

I have an HDMI TV for monitor, keyboard and trackball I can connect to the Pi or maybe SSH into it.  Probably try the latter first and save the effort of disconnecting the human interface bits from my Win7 desktop and moving to the table for the Pi.  I use SSH for the ASC RPi so don't see why not.

[Gina]

Connected power to RPi from Raspberry PSU and tried SSH - no joy   I guess I haven't got the WiFi properly enabled.  Just thought - I'll try Ethernet

[Gina]

No joy with that either.  Must do some Googling and see if I'm missing something.  Might try another SD card.

[Gina]

AHA!!  This may be the problem.

Quote

As of the November 2016 release, Raspbian has the SSH server disabled by default. You will have to enable it manually. This is done using raspi-config: Enter sudo raspi-config in the terminal, first select Interfacing options , then navigate to ssh , press Enter and select Enable or disable ssh server .

OTOH the version on the SD card should be earlier.  Hmmm - I'll continue looking...

[Gina]

Checked devices connected and the RPi is not there so maybe there's something wrong with the micro SD card - I'll try the new Raspbian card...

[Gina]

That's working   Get this, which I think I got before on first connection.

Quote

gina@gina-mint-PI ~ $ ssh pi@raspberrypi
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
@       WARNING: POSSIBLE DNS SPOOFING DETECTED!          @
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
The ECDSA host key for raspberrypi has changed,
and the key for the corresponding IP address 192.168.1.80
is unknown. This could either mean that
DNS SPOOFING is happening or the IP address for the host
and its host key have changed at the same time.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
@    WARNING: REMOTE HOST IDENTIFICATION HAS CHANGED!     @
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
IT IS POSSIBLE THAT SOMEONE IS DOING SOMETHING NASTY!
Someone could be eavesdropping on you right now (man-in-the-middle attack)!
It is also possible that a host key has just been changed.
The fingerprint for the ECDSA key sent by the remote host is
SHA256:LiOjnYUsGQPwwOp/0m4XIAIxASI6CFQzwf0ADf4Vazc.
Please contact your system administrator.
Add correct host key in /home/gina/.ssh/known_hosts to get rid of this message.
Offending ECDSA key in /home/gina/.ssh/known_hosts:1
  remove with:
  ssh-keygen -f "/home/gina/.ssh/known_hosts" -R raspberrypi
ECDSA host key for raspberrypi has changed and you have requested strict checking.
Host key verification failed.
gina@gina-mint-PI ~ $

 

[Gina]

Followed the instructions and I'm in

Quote

gina@gina-mint-PI ~ $ ssh-keygen -f "/home/gina/.ssh/known_hosts" -R raspberrypi# Host raspberrypi found: line 1
/home/gina/.ssh/known_hosts updated.
Original contents retained as /home/gina/.ssh/known_hosts.old
gina@gina-mint-PI ~ $ ssh pi@raspberrypi
The authenticity of host 'raspberrypi (192.168.1.80)' can't be established.
ECDSA key fingerprint is SHA256:LiOjnYUsGQPwwOp/0m4XIAIxASI6CFQzwf0ADf4Vazc.
Are you sure you want to continue connecting (yes/no)? yes
Warning: Permanently added 'raspberrypi,192.168.1.80' (ECDSA) to the list of known hosts.
pi@raspberrypi's password:

The programs included with the Debian GNU/Linux system are free software;
the exact distribution terms for each program are described in the
individual files in /usr/share/doc/*/copyright.

Debian GNU/Linux comes with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY, to the extent
permitted by applicable law.
Last login: Fri Feb 26 02:22:27 2016
pi@raspberrypi:~ $

 

Edited January 23, 2017 by Gina

[Gina]

I've brought my imaging rig indoors to work on.  Won't be very fast progress though as I still have this cold and below par.  Nice sunny day here and warm in the sunshine in my living room

[Filroden]

Sounds ideal for a snooze...I mean working on the focusing

[Gina]

Found the problem - put the wrong focus gear on the focus barrel - wrong size gear teeth - DOH!!

[Filroden]

22 minutes ago, Gina said:

wrong size gear teeth

Hopefully no damage done?

[Gina]

Oh no - none at all   Just wouldn't drive properly!

Now have found and put the right gear on the lens and it's engaging with the motor pinion just fine   So I guess the simplest thing will be just to leave this lens on and put the rig back on the mount.

Weather forecast for tonight is clear according to the BBC and 100% cloud according to Clear Outside.  Currently the sky is completely clear so I think there's a good chance of a clear sky tonight   Nice warm sunshine outdoors so good time to get everything set up in the observatory for tonight.  No rain in either forecast so I can leave the roof open.

Think I'll see if I can improve the thermal insulation for the laptop and stop it getting too cold and playing up.  It doesn't need the WiFi working as I have a CAT6 cable installed to the scope room so the laptop can go on the floor and be put in a cardboard box with thermal insulation.  The warming mat can go in the bottom.

[Gina]

Taking a break...  Have cardboard box bit bigger than the laptop all round in scope room on floor.  Block of polystyrene in the bottom then warming mat then laptop.  Connected cables to laptop and also fixed imaging rig on mount.  Now just need to find some insulation to cover the laptop with the screen partly open.

[Gina]

While having my cuppa I tried to log in to the laptop but no joy.  The router is showing connection both with Ethernet and WiFi but neither will connect properly.  Recognised with WiFi but sits there looking silly Not recognised with Ethernet.  Probably needs a reboot or boot up the .... !!!

[Gina]

Going back out shortly but I think I'll don my hat and coat. 

I don't need the imaging rig to get a Raspberry Pi set up - I have an ASI185MC camera I can test with and also NEQ6 which looks the same as the EQ8 to software.  I can check focussing with just the HAT and stepper motor.  I shall lack the EFW but plenty to sort out before I need that.

[Gina]

It's no good - laptop won't connect - TeamViewer working on laptop.  Guess that's it - no imaging until I get the RPi working   Router not seeing laptop in either WiFi or Ethernet.  It just gets worse.  I'm beginning to think this laptop is coming to the end of its life

Edited January 23, 2017 by Gina

[Filroden]

I've just taken everything outside. It's looking like my first clear night in about three weeks. I've just recalibrate the auto-focused and need to do the same for my StarSense to get accurate gotos. And then I'm hoping to get my first Ha images of the Rosette.

[Gina]

Great - good luck for tonight Ken

I'm loading up the RPi - sudo apt-get update and sudo apt-get upgrade then sudo reboot and install INDI stuff.

[Gina]

Well...  I went out again and cold booted the laptop, came indoors and TeamViewer connected.  I was able to run software and slew mount to the far tree for focussing.  The focus was a long way out so I went out again and uncoupled the focus gear from the lens and hand focused the lens on the far trees.  Ran the software focuser and checked it was all working.  Then covered the laptop and closed the cardboard box and came back indoors.  Now TeamViewer won't connect again.  NO laptop detected by router - again.

Am I wasting my time or should I give it one more try?  One more would all it would be - it's getting decidedly cold out there

[Gina]

Meanwhile RPi is unpacking packages and installing them.

[Filroden]

13 minutes ago, Gina said:

Am I wasting my time or should I give it one more try?  One more would all it would be - it's getting decidedly cold out there

If the reboot worked it's worth one last try, though why it stops working I have no clue. I can't imagine the cold would have such a quick effect.