Getting back into imaging after a long break

[DaveS]

Running the dew heaters, and using the pet warmer to keep the lens cap warm so it doesn't trap dew when I've finished.

[Gina]

Yes, heavy dew here too.  Might be too much with an upwards pointing rig - we'll see.  Probably have to venture out after dark with torch to check for dew on the lens if the image isn't clear.

[Gina]

I have a fault - the filter isn't changing.  Drat.

[JamesF]

5 minutes ago, Gina said:

Yes, heavy dew here too.  Might be too much with an upwards pointing rig - we'll see.  Probably have to venture out after dark with torch to check for dew on the lens if the image isn't clear.

The temperature is forecast to be fairly stable all night, so I think it's fully dark we might well be ok.

I think I'm going to switch the 314L+ to the ED80 for M27, put the 174MM on the TS 72ED and go comet-hunting with that and then have the 127Mak ready for some lunar shots when it rises.

After last night's escapades however, I don't feel exactly bouncing with energy so I don't know how long I'll last

James

[Gina]

Been out to the observatory and I think I've fixed it temporarily.  It was power connections.  OTOH there are strips of cloud continuously passing overhead so I don't know if imaging will be any good anyway.

[Gina]

Have image - stars and clouds.

[DaveS]

Oh dear, the perils of wide field imaging. I'm seeing strips of cloud here too, looks like they're coming from the north west-ish. TBH as I'm mainly debugging any actual imaging will be a bonus.

[sloz1664]

Glad you have sorted your power connections Gina. Clear skies here, but the transparency is awful, PHD2 graph is like the alps.

Steve

[JamesF]

Yes, I'm seeing rather more cloud than I'd expect for a clear night here, too.  Still, it's not properly dark yet, so I'm not too disturbed.

James

[Gina]

This isn't looking promising...  The cloud is stopping plate solving!

Edited August 23, 2019 by Gina

[DaveS]

Oh dear, hope those clouds push off soon.

[Gina]

Well, I'm not going to bed just yet so there's a chance of imaging if things improve.

[Gina]

It's just getting worse!

[DaveS]

And what I thought would solve the problems I was having with this particular rubbish ASA software didn't work. Oh well will have to use Maxim as I've been doing.

[Gina]

I've never used Maxim.

[DaveS]

Maxim is OK I suppose though not as good as SGP for capture but I'm done with buying yet more software. The ASA Sequence software needs Maxim and PinPoint for plate solving to build the big sky models it uses, so I might as well use it for my capture sequences.

[Gina]

KStars/Ekos/INDI is free and the single board computer to control the imaging, mount etc. is around £30.  There are a few other bits needed but £50 should cover it.  Indoors, KStars/Ekos can be run on Windoze, Linux, Mac etc.

[DaveS]

If you can use it then OK, however the ASA DDM mounts need their own software for control and making the pointing files.

[DaveS]

I think I'll call time on the Crescent for this year and start thinking about a new target. I have unfinished business with Deer Lick and Stephan's Quintet which will be coming into target range.

[Gina]

24 minutes ago, DaveS said:

If you can use it then OK, however the ASA DDM mounts need their own software for control and making the pointing files.

Fair enough.  I forgot you had an awkward mount.

[JamesF]

Looks like everything's gone a bit pear-shaped.  Lots of cloud coming in from the west now

James

[JamesF]

Just  taking a few frames of M31 at the moment, because that's pretty much the only area of the sky that's still clear.  90s subs, three down, two contain satellite trails

James

[Gina]

Strangely, the cloud has gone from here.

[JamesF]

LOL.  And the fourth appears to have an aeroplane in

James

[DaveS]

Yeah, lots of cloud coming over here too, high by the way it's picking up the light pollution form Bridport and Weymouth. Think I'll jack it in for the night.