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By Btmackd
I have a CPC 800 Edge HD as well as an Orion Starshoot Autoguider. I recently ordered a ZWO ASI294 MC Pro colour camera. In terms of the auto guide function I had planned on using PHD2 (which I already downloaded onto my Mac laptop). In terms of researching software that would allow for control of the camera I understand there are a number of options. I considered purchasing an ASIair, however, I understand that is not compatible with the Orion Starshoot Autoguider, and therefore I would need to replace that with a ZWO. I am hesitant to want to do that, even though it would be convenient not to have to bother with laptop connectivity. Right now I've been using my iPhone for goto functionality with Starsense and Skyportal wifi. I understand there are a number of options available for Windows based PCs in terms of control of camera and image acquisition. BackyardEOS (for DSLR cameras), Astrophotography Tool, and Nebulosity. These seem to be the most popular. However, it looks to me as though APT is just for Windows based PC. As well, not sure the extent to which Nebulosity is seamless when it comes to Mac compatibility. Is there a recommended Image Acquisition software for Mac users? Is a Windows PC laptop dedicated for astrophotography the best approach (e.g. second hand etc)? I would appreciate your recommendations. Thanks
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By SamK
After many hours of fiddling round with Registax wavelet settings to process my own solar system images, I've always been curious as to how it actually works. In doing so I've put together my own image sharpening program which does something similar to Registax wavelets. For comparison, I've also added some general purpose deconvolution techniques which you'll probably be familiar with from other image processing software (like Wiener inverse filtering, Richardson-Lucy, etc). In choosing a point spread function to deconvolve with, one suprising result was that the typical stack outputs from Autostakkert work best with a Lorentz point spread function (with a minor modification). Deconvolving with a Gaussian point spread function doesn't really work. Deep-sky images seem to deconvolve best with a Moffat point spread function (which is to be expected - it's already well established that star profiles in long exposures are best approximated with a Moffat function).
On the whole, it's unlikely that you can sharpen solar system images much more in this program than you already can in Registax. You can see results from Registax wavelet (sharpening layers), inverse filtering (e.g. Wiener), and iterative deconvolution (e.g. Landweber) below. They all give very similar results. In all the techniques there's a similar trade-off between less noise but less detail vs more noise but more detail.
There are some quick start notes on the first page of the Readme here:
https://github.com/50000Quaoar/Deconvolvulator/blob/main/Readme.pdf
There are some examples of deconvolved images here (move mouse over image to see before/after):
https://50000quaoar.github.io/Deconvolvulator/
Image credits are on the hyperlinks
The Windows download is here:
https://github.com/50000Quaoar/Deconvolvulator/raw/main/Deconvolvulator32.zip
Example solar system tifs to experiment with are here:
https://github.com/50000Quaoar/Deconvolvulator/tree/main/image%20examples
And the project page is here (with Source code in the src folder)
https://github.com/50000Quaoar/Deconvolvulator
If anyone finds it useful, do post here how it compares to other tools you use for solar system image sharpening.
The download and the source code are free, you can use it unrestricted for any purpose. The OpenCV and OpenCVCSharp components which my program use have licence information at the end of the Readme.pdf.
Sam
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By thepainpastor
Greetings All!
Very Short Explanation: I'm disabled (43) and desperately trying to find ways to still bond/spend time with my youngest son (13).
My son expressed an interest, about two months ago, in Astronomy after watching a few YouTube videos on the subject (specifically, the moon and our neighboring planets). He asked if one day we could get a telescope. I was somewhat surprised when, over the course of the following days/weeks, he didn't forget about his request or shift his attention to other, "more 13 year old pressing matters." In fact, he became increasingly MORE excited, despite our lack of progress on the subject (except for many hours of questions and research regarding all things space).
So, I decided that somehow, someway, I would discover the means in which to make this dream of his a reality. However, due to our financial situation, I wasn't sure it would ever happen. Well, lo and behold, I stumbled across a Vivitar 76700 Reflecting Telescope, while killing time before a drs appt, at the local Goodwill, for only $14.99. I immediately withdrew my "Emergency $20" from my wallet, and I purchased it!
When I finally arrived home, I began the process of putting it together. Unfortunately, I soon discovered that it lacked everything which is placed in the "lens hole/slot" on the top, back of the telescope (just a hole, no lens, barrel, or anything originally included to fill said hole.
!!!EDIT/CORRECTION!!!: It DOES have the piece which screws onto the side of the telescope that has "adjustor knobs" below it for, I'm assuming, extending/retracting the lens(?). There is just nothing INSIDE this piece except a hole/space. Sorry!
This is our youngest son (13), who is a "loner." He is very quiet/shy/lacks self-confidence, and suffers from mental/learning disabilities, but truly is "sharp as a tack" in many, many ways. So, when we discover something, anything, educationally speaking, that peaks his interest, we try our hardest to encourage him!
Now, I don't really have any/much money to spend on getting this telescope in complete working order (I am NOT asking or soliciting for ANYTHING!!) , but I refuse to pass up this chance to bond with him, encourage this budding passion for Astronomy, and help get him OFF that blasted PlayBoxCube more frequently, and into something more beneficial for his young, developing mind!
Now to my question(s)...
What further (inexpensive) equipment would suffice in completing his new-to-us telescope, and increase his allure to the wonders awaiting his discovery in the heavens above? Quality vs Price? Trade-offs? On-topic/slightly off-specific-topic advice?
Links, articles, groups, periodicals, videos...ANY suggestions gratefully welcomed!
Thank you, in advance, for indulging my attempted-to-be-brief background/relevant personal info, and for taking the time to help this guy be a (better) dad again. I feel blessed to have found this particular site/group.
Live Long & Prosper,
-Larry
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By CosmicRayResearcher
Hello! I am new here and have a kinda weird question for you guys.
I am a cosmic ray researcher with the Pierre Auger Observatory and I am building a UV laser system to calibrate some of our telescopes.
To do this, we need:
Self levelling powered steering AZ mount that hit point to the Zenith with high accuracy (most important) and also point to any zenith/azimuth angle we may need. It would be great if it worked well with Linux Battery power is a plus but we will have 24V DC available for the laser already so it is not critical Can handle a payload which is ~10kg and 40cm long Is less than 1000€ before tax Is there any really reliable option that meets this criteria?
The mount we are currently looking at is the iOptitron AZ Pro but this is just past the 1000€ mark we want to hit.
I am really new at this sort of thing so any advice you have would be greatly appreciated!
Many thanks
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By BenR
Hello
I am new to astronomy, and recently purchased a Celestron Starsense Explorer LT 114AZ, and just for a start, I used the finderscope to locate exactly a random star, and I looked through the eyepiece and just saw a blurry white image. I was using a 25mm eyepiece lens, and then decided to put on the 2x Barlow lens with the 25mm lens, and nothing changed. Is this normal? What should I do to improve?
Thanks.
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