What did the postman bring? V2

[Mr Spock]

Just arrived. It's bigger than I imagined! Works perfectly with my Nirvanas though - 16mm = 5.7° and 10mm = 3.6°. What a finder 👍Views of the hillside opposite look sharp. Can't wait to get it on the scope.

[Ags]

I have the same finderscope - it changed my life!

[Mr Spock]

But there's moar! Just arrived from FLO. A Baader RDF and finder shoe.

I like deliveries 

[Vroobel]

The nice postman brought me two 6 dBi antennas which replaced two original short ones provided with my AstroPC Pro. 

It's a second upgrade, I already replaced an original ASIAir Plus antenna with exactly the same 6 dBi one and the gain is significant, I reach 13 MB/s preview transfer instead of hardly 3 MB/s as default. I hope working with NINA will be more pleasant from now. 🙂

https://www.dewcontrol.com/details/p3099125_21560791.aspx

 

 

Edited May 29 by Vroobel

[wookie1965]

Nice Skywatcher dual speed focuser care of Martin (Budgie1) thank you fits the Celestron 120mm like a glove. 

[Vroobel]

I got something else today. Thanks to @steppenwolf and his Vixen/Losmandy adaptor I finally solved one of my bigger problems.

 

 

Presently, I prefer a multi-night imaging, so I keep the setup fully configured at home, in my living room. Since I have a mono camera and a big, 7x2" filter wheel it became difficult, because the camera and filter wheel can accidentally rotate at a manual rotator if the setup is heavy (10kg) and the filter wheel reaches a lower point than a Losmandy plate. I experienced it once, I didn't realise it and all subs taken during one session were rotated about 20-30 degrees. Thankfully, I solved it in PixInsight without a crop. I used several thick books laying under the setup since then, but it wasn't comfortable and safe. Now it's sorted. ☺️

 

 

BTW, you can see the two 6 dBi antennas attached to the AstroPC. 

Edited May 29 by Vroobel

[geoflewis]

I just received a complimentary copy of this new atlas from Cambridge University Press (CUP). I was contacted a couple of years ago by the author Ronald Stoyan, who asked me whether he could use my version of M107 in the revision (2nd Edition) he was producing. I of course said yes and am delighted to see its inclusion.

My original version may be seen on my astrobin page here. The image in the 'Atlas' has been cropped and rotated about 90°, so it's lost the crucifix appearance as I displayed it, but I'm still pleased to have one of my images published.

The atlas itself is an excellent, large hard copy publication about twice the size of my iPad. As well as colour photos of each Messier object alongside pertinent notes, there are are also some 60 pages of introductory notes covering not only Charles Messier and the creation of his catalogue, but references to other prior and subsequent observers and their observation notes and lists, including an introduction to the Herschel 100.

If you want your own copy the Atlas is now available from many of the usual book retailers as well as direct from CUP - UK prices range from ~£50-£60.

[bosun21]

21 minutes ago, geoflewis said:

I just received a complimentary copy of this new atlas from Cambridge University Press (CUP). I was contacted a couple of years ago by the author Ronald Stoyan, who asked me whether he could use my version of M107 in the revision (2nd Edition) he was producing. I of course said yes and am delighted to see its inclusion.

My original version may be seen on my astrobin page here. The image in the 'Atlas' has been cropped and rotated about 90°, so it's lost the crucifix appearance as I displayed it, but I'm still pleased to have one of my images published.

The atlas itself is an excellent, large hard copy publication about twice the size of my iPad. As well as colour photos of each Messier object alongside pertinent notes, there are are also some 60 pages of introductory notes covering not only Charles Messier and the creation of his catalogue, but references to other prior and subsequent observers and their observation notes and lists, including an introduction to the Herschel 100.

If you want your own copy the Atlas is now available from many of the usual book retailers as well as direct from CUP - UK prices range from ~£50-£60.

Lovely image of M107 on your Astrobin. The crucifix aspect is easily discerned and I wonder why they decided to rotate the image.

[geoflewis]

6 minutes ago, bosun21 said:

Lovely image of M107 on your Astrobin. The crucifix aspect is easily discerned and I wonder why they decided to rotate the image.

Thanks Ian, I was a little disappointed, but note that it's been given a north up orientation, so whilst I haven't checked I suspect that all the images may be displayed the same way. Also the Mira variable V720 Ophiuchi has been highlighted, with reference to it being found just 9' south of the main star cluster, so orientation is important for that reference.

[bosun21]

2 minutes ago, geoflewis said:

Thanks Ian, I was a little disappointed, but note that it's been given a north up orientation, so whilst I haven't checked I suspect that all the images may be displayed the same way. Also the Mira variable V720 Ophiuchi has been highlighted, with reference to it being found just 9' south of the main star cluster, so orientation is important for that reference.

That makes good sense and is more than likely why they changed it. I still liked seeing the crucifix though.

[Ags]

5 hours ago, Vroobel said:

The nice postman brought me two 6 dBi antennas which replaced two original short ones provided with my AstroPC Pro. 

It's a second upgrade, I already replaced an original ASIAir Plus antenna with exactly the same 6 dBi one and the gain is significant, I reach 13 MB/s preview transfer instead of hardly 3 MB/s as default. I hope working with NINA will be more pleasant from now. 🙂

https://www.dewcontrol.com/details/p3099125_21560791.aspx

 

 

Do you think this would work for the Air Mini, or would the bigger antenna overload an optronic phase coupling (or whatever)?

[Vroobel]

As long as the ASIAir mini operates with 2.4GHz and 5GHz WiFi the antenna SHOULD work. I didn't try the two antennas with the AstroPC yet, but as I wrote, it works great with my ASIAir Plus v.1. Its cost is not too big to not give it the chance. 🙂

[Bivanus]

I've got an used ZWO ASI 585MC with a decent discount. Trying to also nail an ADC from ZWO too , but time will tell. Right now I'm playing with it indoors since outside is , of course , pouring  The test rig is made with a Canon 18-135mm lens, makes for a good toy when night are cloudy 😉

[Mr_Cat]

Lots of toys for us all in the post today !
My Mini Mak turned up today too. I didn't really want it but took a punt on ebay after a beer or five... 
Glad I've got it though - now to find an ultra portable goto eq mount

How long do you think it will be before I put it on my EQ6 "for a laugh..." ??

Edited May 29 by Mr_Cat
smelling mistook

[Vroobel]

3 minutes ago, Mr_Cat said:

How long do you think it will be before I put it on my EQ6 "for a laugh..." ??

 

Friday this week? 🤔🙂

 

[Mr Spock]

The only thing to be wary of with the StellaLyra finder shoe is..

• Accommodates M4 / M5 screws (not included).

Luckily I had something I could use. Even though it says 'not included' on the page I suspect it will catch a few out.

[Nakedgun]

7 hours ago, geoflewis said:

 

 

If you want your own copy the Atlas is now available from many of the usual book retailers as well as direct from CUP - UK prices range from ~£50-£60.

~

I have the first English edition of this, published 2008. The 2nd Edition is available as a pre-order currently, from CUP:

https://www.cambridge.org/us/universitypress/subjects/physics/amateur-and-popular-astronomy/atlas-messier-objects-highlights-deep-sky-2nd-edition?format=HB

My order through Amazon shows a delivery date of 11 July.

 

 

.

Edited May 30 by Nakedgun

[geoflewis]

8 hours ago, Nakedgun said:

~

I have the first English edition of this, published 2008. The 2nd Edition is available as a pre-order currently, from CUP:

https://www.cambridge.org/us/universitypress/subjects/physics/amateur-and-popular-astronomy/atlas-messier-objects-highlights-deep-sky-2nd-edition?format=HB

My order through Amazon shows a delivery date of 11 July.

A quick Google search shows it listed at other booksellers as well as eBay, Amazon, etc., though I have no idea what the delivery timescales will be from them.

[johnturley]

19 hours ago, wookie1965 said:

Nice Skywatcher dual speed focuser care of Martin (Budgie1) thank you fits the Celestron 120mm like a glove. 

It looks like the same focuser as they fit to the Esprit series.

John 

[LukeTheNuke]

I didn't get this especially for astro processing, but I'm looking forward to trying some 16 bit images with the Lenovo ThinkVision Mini-LED monitor that claims to offer a "genuine HDR experience".

I hope I prefer it to my old monitor, which I've never been fully happy with. I preferred my old monitor at work, and my son's Lenovo monitor really impressed me. I hope it doesn't disappoint!

I'm hoping the postie may have something more directly related to astro imaging for me in the next few days (this forum is a terrible influence!)

Edited May 30 by LukeTheNuke

[ST_Steve]

Not Mr Postman but Miss DPD has called to me this morning bringing astronomical delights.

A Baader Diamond Steeltrack with S58 clicklock clamp and M90x1 adapter for the 8” CC.
Plus a Baader Herschel Wedge and 2” single polariser for the incoming 4” frac…

[IB20]

😁😁 lovely stuff. The magic button does more than I could’ve hoped! 
 

[Mr Spock]

I have the 12x36 too - they are brilliant.

[JeremyS]

As I mentioned on another thread this is -28% at Amazon atm

[Nikolai De Silva]

We brought some new things!

First, a GoPro Hero 12 Black. Its cool! 

We were looking for a cam to take on the way when we go on trips. We were looking for camcorders, like handycams, but we got this with a great recommendation and bought by paying a little more! Still didn't have much times to look this up. Hope this is really good. Anyone have used a gopro? What are your comments?  Are they nice to use? Can i use this for astrophotography? (I mean, not serious, but some) Here is it.

And also bought a laptop, a Lenovo LOQ Ryzen 7 RTX 4050. My brother is doing animation (still 13), and he is now catching up things with it.