Getting back into imaging after a long break

[DaveS]

For reference, a couple of quick pics done last year, with the ASI1600

The whole of Orion and Barnard's Loop with 35mm Elmarit in Ha RGB

Next, with the 180mm Apo-Telyte-R

Not claiming they're any great shakes, and have been cropped here and there for alignment edges as they were set up by eye on a SA.

 

 

[Gina]

Very nice.  Yes, that's what I have in mind.

[alacant]

1 hour ago, Gina said:

Barnards Loop and the Flame Nebula are not in KStars

?

[Gina]

Well, they aren't in mine!

[alacant]

2 minutes ago, Gina said:

they aren't in mine

[Gina]

Great - thank you.

[Gina]

Smaller area.

[Gina]

This could be a good FOV, to include M78.

Edited September 3, 2019 by Gina

[alacant]

APS-C. Too tight perhaps?

Edited September 3, 2019 by alacant

[Gina]

CO is showing a bit more promise for Thursday and Friday but in meteorological terms that's a long time!

[Gina]

Next clear night I'll probably sort out the meridian flip.  Meanwhile, I'm still gradually proceeding with the ROR automation job.

[DaveS]

I'm seeing a bit more green for Wednesday, but Friday for me is solid red.

Will try a Sequence run after getting some input from Wolfgang at ASA. If it works it'll be a fill in job on Stephan and Deer. If it doesn't work, hopefully there'll still be time to do a manual run. maybe just L.

[sloz1664]

Gina, why don't you sort out your meridian flip during the day. You will not lose any imaging time.

Steve

[Gina]

Just thought of that myself - I could, couldn't I?  Just a matter of setting the time for night-time and testing an imaging run.

[sloz1664]

12 minutes ago, Gina said:

Just thought of that myself - I could, couldn't I?  Just a matter of setting the time for night-time and testing an imaging run.

Either that or just tracking the stars in real time, close to the zenith.

[kendg]

Or just pick a object visible during the daytime.

 

[alacant]

9 hours ago, Gina said:

setting the time for night-time

No need. Kstars will show you the object crossing the meridian. It doesn't care whether you or your camera can see the object or not. Just choose something close to the meridian whenever you choose to test.

Unfortunately that will only test the flip itself. What EKOS will not be able to do is plate solve on the other side after the flip. That you can only do with real stars.

HTH.

[Gina]

Yes, realised myself that I couldn't test that it plate solved in daylight.

[Gina]

Lens is still fogged up! 

[Gina]

I have another 105mm lens so maybe the best thing is to take the foggy lens off and put the other one on.  Then the foggy lens can be dried out, hopefully.

[Gina]

Looked in my lens box and I have two more 105mm f2.8 lenses.  I remember now that I had set up a triple imaging rig at one stage with three Atik cameras - since sold.  So with two 105mm lenses I don't need to bother about the fogged up lens - it can take as long as it needs to dry out. 

One thing is certain, I'm not doing any more unsupervised imaging until I have the ROR automation with rain detection working and that is now top priority.

[JamesF]

I'm wondering if some sort of cloud detection might be useful, too.
 

James

[Gina]

My all sky camera is on the books but lower priority.  When it was working it was very useful for watching for clouds.  Currently the remote focus isn't working and the new case needs finishing.  One plan I had for a deluxe ASC has been scuppered by ZWO discontinuing their ASI 385MC-Cool camera.

[Stub Mandrel]

13 hours ago, JamesF said:

I'm wondering if some sort of cloud detection might be useful, too.
 

James

Here's a circuit for one:

Flick the switch, and if it's cloudy the bulb will light up...

[Gina]

Might be promising for tomorrow night.