Observatory...Pah who needs one!

[blinky]

Got the remote operation all sorted, I can now sit anywhere in the house and connect wirelessly to the control PC located under the telly. I can control everything bar the focus from inside Now if I could only get the clear skies bit to work I would be sorted :x

(click to enlarge)

(click to enlarge)

(click to enlarge)

[jonbarr87]

Quites the ambitious setup!

[Jeff RV]

Nice setup Craig.

Jeff.

[centroid]

Nice one Craig, you'll not have cold feet this winter then.

Dave

[blinky]

As long as nobody trips over the cable or they dont get tangled round the mount!

I still have to work out the mount limits bit so it does not crash into the pier.

Very happy with it though, 'should' be able to sit in the house/go to bed and leave it imaging.

[Sam]

That's quite some setup Craig - I like the idea of remoting it all - especially when it gets cold.

[gary1968]

:-0, well done craig, looks the biz. I'll have to come through next time the skies are clear to see it in action mate.

Gary

[blinky]

Great idea Gary but who knows when that will be

[gurney]

That's never a PlayStation controller you've got there is it?

[blinky]

Nah just a cheap £7 job from Maplins. Does the job though

[gary1968]

Is that one of your dew controllers on there?

[blinky]

Nah that the leccy focuser!

[gary1968]

So you need to get that connected to the pc now, then no need to go outside.

Gary

[rigel1]

You could link up some sort of video monitering system I suppose to keep a check on things. And you would also be able to illuminate the scope periodically to check as long as you stay in doors. In fact, where does one stand (or sit), with "Dark Adaption" with such a set up?

Cool set up though.

Rigel1

[Astro_Baby]

And there I was worrying my HEQ5 may be under strain with my 200P and a few extras

[blinky]

You could link up some sort of video monitering system I suppose to keep a check on things. And you would also be able to illuminate the scope periodically to check as long as you stay in doors. In fact, where does one stand (or sit), with "Dark Adaption" with such a set up?

Cool set up though.

Rigel1

The theory is that this setup will be used when I am wanting to gather loads of data on one specific target over a number of hours. Say something like M31, I could set it all up outside with the aid of the laptop remoting into the control PC. I would then retire inside, maybe have a sleep for a couple of hours! Then it's only a matter of removing the camera, unplugging the USB from the hub and sticking the cover over the whole assemble till morning. Thats the theory......

[daneel]

That's amazing! Could you explain how you did it Craig? I'm intrigued. Particularly about the sensor on the telescope - does that connect to a PC by the scope?

[blinky]

The setup is as follows:

Canon350D & Meade DSI - Connected to USB Hub

2X USB - Serial convertors 1 for connection to the mount handset the other for the shutter release of the Canon

The above all connect to the same USB hub that is located on the pier, I then run a 5m cable to a pc in my living room. I then use UltraVNC to remote into the PC from my laptop, wirelessly, from anywhere in the house/garden.

The only bit that I cannot control from the PC is the electric focusser on the Newt and the manual focusser on the ZS66, but hopefully once focussed I can lock them and wont need to touch tme again for the rest of the evening

[dogfish]

Hi Craig

That looks the dogs doohdah's. Looking good right now in Glasgow so fingers crossed for some viewing tonight.

Cheers, Martin