CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

This was my first attempt at using my Laptop with my Camera.
I used the Photography feature in digiCam Controler.
It is fairly simple to navigate through the controls.
I shot the Little Dumbbell Nebula M76 at 60 sec and ISO 3200.
Meade 8" telescope Prime Focus at f/9.5
All hooked up to the Computer for the first time.
It was shot in my backyard with a fair amount of light pollution.
I did not use an Autoguider and did not do a complete Alignment.
I was just experimenting with the equipment but the Image turned out OK so I posted it.
Craig

(Download)

astroturf Loc: vacaville ca.

beautiful Craig :thumbup:

CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

Thank you very much Darren. It was fun and informative.
I look forward to seeing more of your work too.
Craig

Albuqshutterbug Loc: Albuquerque NM

Don't need no stinking guider.
Great shot Craig. Glad your not still fogged or clouded in.
Dumbbell is on my list as well.

CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

Thank you very much Jim.
But the 120 sec shots had little trails.
I have the Autoguider I am picking up the Scope and Rail tonight :thumbup:
Craig

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

That's beautiful, Craig!

I had some troubles with my guider last night. Odd that it was having trouble staying with the target star.
Finally, I set the time for 5 seconds exposure times in PHD and it stopped losing the star.
I'm still trying to figure it out. :shock: (Everyday is a new day)
I can't wait to see how your Nexguide works for you!
Congrats on the scope and rail. I'm sure it is going to take you to a new level.

I finally got my fits Liberator program working, so trying it out make my fits into tiffs.

I was getting tired of beating my head on the floor having fits anyway. Now I can take my tiffs to Adobe Elements 12 and have it mother them. :?
:lol: :lol: :lol: Oy Vey! :shock:

Looking forward to your experiance with your completed NexGuide AutoGuider package.
Jim in Albaqurky is going to have to eat crow and catch up pretty soon. An AutoGuider gives the AVX an eye on the sky. ;)
I can see a need for an Autoguider mounting on the AVX's head where the Vixen rail of the scope mounts. That way the AVX would have an eyeball, and us amateur astronomers could change scopes without moving the AutoGuiders camera. :idea:
Get the autoguider on the mount, instead of the scope. When you think about it, the Polar scope is in the mount.
I think the AutoGuider should also be homed on the DEC head near the Vixen mount.
That would be ideal for Alba Jim and his different scopes.
I often look in the box, but usually think outside it.

Also, I have been trying my direct computer captures sans the red film over the computer screen. :shock:
That's right, damn the blindness and full speed ahead.
I've even added a red LED lamp to my "Observatory site" to light up the ground area. I think I temporarily hung it to high for last nights playtime. My DSO was too close towards my red light district.
As the night progressed though, I noticed a "glow" in the PHD screen and unplugged it. The glow went away, and I was left with just my red headlamp.
Then I got my red film during a dark frame cycle and installed it, in case I was causing my own light pollution. :roll:
Experiment, experiment, experiment... :lol:
Tonight I have a clamp in the fixture to easily move it elsewhere if need be.
Damn thing gives off a lot of red light for only 3 watts. I just have to keep it lower I think.

There is what? 6 of us here now going about the skies with these AVX's. And each has their own unique way and individual equipment/means/needs. Makes it interesting.... :idea:

CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

Thank you very much Sonny. Sounds like you were really busy last night if not mostly in your own head. :P
Lots of good thoughts there to think about. I have been considering a Tandem Mount for the 2 scopes. It would keep my weight lower.
I think maybe Jim has a setup like that for his scope.
Instead of mounting it on top of the big scope.
Craig

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

I only have one scope to worry about. :oops: (So inadequate)
But I could see a great advantage to a mount mounted mounting for guys with choices.

I have seen doubles for the guide scope Vixen style (smaller) mounts. Orion example
But the picture in my head is a side bracket to the mounts Vixen socket for a single small style that mounts the guide scope right to the DEC head. Always there, always zeroed, always connected.

Naw, I'm not asking for much.... :lol: :roll:

Incidentally, when I bought my Mini 50 for my SSAG camera, one selling point for me was the mounting bracket included with it.
I didn't need the mounting bracket for my telescope, as it already had a nice double screw clamp on it.
But I did want the mounting base to stick it on the stalk for the guide scope to mount my Red Dot site on it. And I killed two birds with one stone that way.

Yep, crazy like a fox.

http://www.dropbox.com/s/y78yr2zg2hie76e/2015-07-13%2020.33.19.jpg?dl=0

http://www.dropbox.com/s/e0m2usbymru6jt8/2015-07-13%2020.33.42.jpg?dl=0

chazz4623 Loc: Prairieville, La

Great shot Craig, I gotta wonder, what is that whitish area in the lower left corner? Must be some other element or something.

dlmorris Loc: Loma Linda, Ca

Well done Craig! You're getting it!

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

I saw something like that the other night in my endeavors. Turned out it was subtle light pollution for me. :?

So I turned off the light... :-D

CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

Hi Charlie thank you very much. As you can see in this shot through a SCT scope when the Exposure is cranked way up the center has more light than the edges. And the shot I posted was a crop.
Craig

Uncropped High Exposure Setting

(Download)

CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

Sorry for the double tap folks.
Craig

CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

Thank you very much DL. It didn't turn out to bad for a hap-hazard setup and shot.
Craig

CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

Hi Sonny, There is plenty of light pollution causing all the Noise in the shot.
I went to pickup the scope and hardware and none of it would fit on my Meade scope. It was all for 3" CGE rails. Not to mention the 80mm Scope and hardware is fricken humungis. I weighs in at 12 lbs. That would put me over the 30# limit. I have another idea
Orion 70mm Multi-Use Finder Scope
http://www.telescope.com/Accessories/Telescope-Finder-Scopes/Orion-70mm-Multi-Use-Finder-Scope/pc/-1/c/3/sc/49/p/102777.uts#
Craig