N00b overwhelmed by kit

[Dragonblaster]

I have recently had a yen for astroimaging due to the incredible advances in imaging technology since I last had a scope. To that end, I have over the last several months amassed the following kit:

• Celestron Nexstar 8SE
• Celestron CG-5 GEM
• Celestron Starsense AutoAlign
• Celestron  SkySync GPS
• Celestron Sky Portal WiFi
• Celestron OAG
• ZWO ASI1200MM-C plugged into AutoGuider socket on the mount
• SBIG ST-402me with colour wheel as main imager
• Dew shield and heater
• Celestron 17Ah Power Tank

What I would like to do is remote control the scope from inside the house with the scope set up on my patio. But never having done this before, I am not quite sure how to do this. I understand that I could remote control a second laptop outside the house, plugged into the autoguider and imaging camera,, and connected to the scope WiFi,  but have the following questions:

• Can I use the same software for guiding as for imaging, or would it be two separate programs?
• How do I control the colour wheel on the SBIG when imaging RGB/Dark?
• Is this sort of totally remote imaging a realistic goal?

 

 

[Anthonyexmouth]

would it not be easier plugging it all into a powered usb hub and running a cable into the house?

[Demonperformer]

There are a few threads on here from people who use a Pi to run their imaging kit.

Imaging will use something like APT  or sharpcap. Guiding uses PHD2. Both can run on the same machine.

So yes, it is a practical proposition.

[MarsG76]

1 hour ago, Dragonblaster said:

Can I use the same software for guiding as for imaging, or would it be two separate programs?

Two seperate programs... I personally use PHD2 and APT (Astrophotography Tool) for my imaging sessions.

[MarsG76]

1 hour ago, Dragonblaster said:

How do I control the colour wheel on the SBIG when imaging RGB/Dark?

Astrophotography Tool, APT, can control various hardware, aside from your camera and mount, it can communicate with PHD for dithering purposes, control a electronic Filter wheel and focusing also.... it can also be used to keep an eye on temperature.

[MarsG76]

2 hours ago, Dragonblaster said:

s this sort of totally remote imaging a realistic goal?

Yes it is.. I do it all the time... I remote into a outside laptop with all the hardware connected to it using VNC...

BTW, I use the same OTA but on a CGEM mount... the OTA can deliver some nice images.