Getting back into imaging after a long break

[Gina]

Been working on my widefield narrowband imaging rig and think I have it just about ready for trying tonight if it's clear (cue clouds!!!).  Using the KStars/Ekos/INDI system with Raspberry Pi 3B.  ASI1600MM-Cool astro camera, ZWO EFWmini with Ha, OIII, SII and L filters, Asahi Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 28mm FL f3.5 prime lens with 3D printed dew shield.  Remote focussing with 28BYJ-48 gearbox stepper motor, 3D printed quadrant gear clamped onto lens focus ring and printed pinion on motor.  Controlled by DIY electronics and Astroberry Focuser INDI driver, slightly modified.  Communication by WiFi.

Testing by pointing the rig out of my living room window, facing roughly south. 

1. Imaging fine
2. Cooling fine - getting 43 degrees C cooling below ambient
3. EFW working
4. Remote focus working

Here are images with Ha, OIII and SII - focused on the bird feeder though I can focus on the distant hill and trees.

Edited July 3, 2019 by Gina

[Gina]

Same camera position, zoomed in and focused on the far hill and trees, pylons etc.

Edited July 3, 2019 by Gina

[Gina]

Mounted the rig on my EQ8 and set it pointing east.  It won't reach the horizon southwards, the pier is too low.  Images in Ha and OIII.  Still using WiFi.

Edited July 3, 2019 by Gina

[des anderson]

OH, you lucky so & so, views to die for. Des

[Gina]

Photosd of the rig on the EQ8 - looks a bit lost on that big mount 😄

[Gina]

2 minutes ago, des anderson said:

OH, you lucky so & so, views to die for. Des

Yes, I know, I'm very lucky.

[Gina]

Everything is working except the mount!

[Gina]

Took my Win7 laptop out and tried the mount on that with CdC and it worked fine.  Tried another USB port on the RPi and still no joy.  Guess I shall have to bring rig back indoors plus my NEQ6 mount and tripod and see if I can sort it out.  It's worked before.  Since this is very widefield - about 30°- I think I'll use the laptop to set the mount to Sidereal tracking and point it straight up in the direction of Cygnus and see what I can capture.  Then tomorrow in the daytime I can try to sort out the RPi.

A couple of screenshots. In the main control, clicking Connect just produces an error (see response part at bottom). in Connection I have tried USB0,1,2,3,4.  No joy.

[Gina]

Had a thought - tried plugging the mount into the USB hub on the camera and it connected.

[Gina]

Now waiting for it to get dark...

[tomato]

Really like the 3D printed components, looks like the technology was made for the AP hobby.

[Gina]

Yes, it's very useful.

Edited July 3, 2019 by Gina

[Gina]

It's dark enough to show the stars bur there aren't many showing - I'm wondering if there's thin high cloud. 

This is screenshot of the KStars FITS Viewer image - with a gain setting of 480, temperature of -30°C and 2x binning.  60s exposure. Hydrogen alpha 3nm filter.

[Gina]

FITS file converted to PNG in PixInsight.

[Gina]

OK trying a 3m exposure in Ha and see what that shows.

[Gina]

Not a lot of change so now trying 10m.

[DaveS]

You may be right about the transparency, as by this time last night the milky way was very clear and detailed, if not brilliant, while tonight it's only just apparent, and I'm not that far to the east of you.

[Gina]

1m and 3m exposures compared in PI.  I would expect to see hydrogen clouds with these settings almost anywhere in the sky.  This is 30° coverage in the horizontal.  That's a lot of sky.

Edited July 3, 2019 by Gina

[JamesF]

3 minutes ago, DaveS said:

You may be right about the transparency, as by this time last night the milky way was very clear and detailed, if not brilliant, while tonight it's only just apparent, and I'm not that far to the east of you.

I thought the sky was a bit murky when I was out earlier, too.

James

[Gina]

Here's a screenshot of PI showing the 10m Ha image.  Still nothing!  Seems tonight is simple useless!!

[Gina]

Just been outside again and I reckon I cans a lot more stars now than earlier so maybe the sky is improving.

[Gina]

I think I've picked up a bit of nebulosity.

[DaveS]

Definitely looks like it. Seeing a bit more of the milky way now, but that might just be because it's higher.

[Gina]

Yes.  120s exposure.  West is up so I'll rotate to the east a bit.

[Gina]