Finally
Sep 10, 2017 23:19:54 #
Between working most nights and clouds ...it has been over 6 weeks since I even tried to shooting something up. This past Wed, Thurs, and Friday the skies were clear - and "seeing" was rated average - that is as good as I ever get so out I was. I got a total of 12 hours of IC1805, Heart and Soul in narrow band ....180 images were kept each 240 seconds. 30 darks, 90 flats, and 100 bias supported the lights...I processed in Photoshop CC. It's been so long since I booted up PixInsight, I need a primer....so PSCC came to the rescue. I think I scared the weather makers ...as they now have hurricane Irma bearing down on us so it will be a few more days before I can even hope of a clear night. Hummm....perhaps the wind can remove a few of our neighbor's trees. Actually we sold our home of 30 years, had it listed for one week...and bought one the next day. I have a 360 view of the sky from my back yard....and no, I don't want an observatory. I might put a pier in though. Will be moving Oct 20!
Sep 11, 2017 01:18:02 #
Well GOOLLLY, Ed!
That's a bootifull heart Nebula!
But holy cats in jammas, Movin out to a new sight!
That sounds wonderful! Congratulations!
So, when I'm getting ready to move, I go walk around during odd hours. Looking, listening, watching...
Scouting to see what might be ahead.
Yep, a pier with a 32 gallon dome. That'd do ya.
Or you might splurge on a 55 gallon dome...
Or 3. Papa Bear. Mama Bear. And Baby Bear.
Stay healthy so you get to enjoy the new digs!
That's a bootifull heart Nebula!
But holy cats in jammas, Movin out to a new sight!
That sounds wonderful! Congratulations!
So, when I'm getting ready to move, I go walk around during odd hours. Looking, listening, watching...
Scouting to see what might be ahead.
Yep, a pier with a 32 gallon dome. That'd do ya.
Or you might splurge on a 55 gallon dome...
Or 3. Papa Bear. Mama Bear. And Baby Bear.
Stay healthy so you get to enjoy the new digs!
Sep 11, 2017 09:46:16 #
Congrats on the photo, some clear skies and the new view. It's amazing how the NB grabs some of the finer detail. I'm still waiting on mine, been almost 6 months, the last two times I've checked in, they've pushed it 2 weeks, so hopefully that means sometime soon.
Sep 11, 2017 21:11:25 #
We are getting pounded by hurricane Irma tonight - in fact pretty scary out there now. I might wake up the find I have no trees tomorrow and a 360 view of the sky. How ironic would be? Here is Melotte 15 also in Pegasus Arm - IC1805, more narrow band but with an 8 inch SCT
Sep 12, 2017 02:28:40 #
nikonshooter wrote:
Between working most nights and clouds ...it has b... (show quote)
Lovely image!
bwa
Sep 17, 2017 11:45:38 #
Sep 17, 2017 12:52:17 #
Ed , Those are looking so good and the NB is awesome to say the least. I'll be getting Sgp and the EFW for my Bday and Xmas . Alanna said that things are just too tight now . I'm looking forward to learning to plate solve , I've tried guiding every night I'm out but, my PA is always off and phd2.5 has to work too hard . My damn Polar Scope is the most difficult thing to align, I try to align it then just when I think I have it bamm , it's off. I can't win !
Sep 17, 2017 18:10:44 #
stepping beyond wrote:
Ed , Those are looking so good and the NB is awesome to say the least. I'll be getting Sgp and the EFW for my Bday and Xmas . Alanna said that things are just too tight now . I'm looking forward to learning to plate solve , I've tried guiding every night I'm out but, my PA is always off and phd2.5 has to work too hard . My damn Polar Scope is the most difficult thing to align, I try to align it then just when I think I have it bamm , it's off. I can't win !
It is more money but, IMHO, worth every penny - it's called Polemaster by QHY. I think it is under 200 dollars but in that range. There are two components. One is the camera that fits into your polar scope opening...the second, software that connects to your laptop. The camera images Polaris and the software takes over, giving simple instructions to adjust the Alt-AZ knobs until you are polar aligned. It takes less than 5 minutes to complete two PA routines.....I probably only need to do it once but ...being anal, I do it at least twice....sometimes three times. Your PhD2 graphs will "flatline" and adjustments to the DEC by guiding pulses will be few.
The second approach is software - Alignmaster! There is no camera involved and is especially helpful for those who do not have a view of Polaris.
You are right about the need for an accurate PA before an imaging session. ..and thanks guys/gals for the kind remarks.
Sep 17, 2017 18:36:03 #
nikonshooter wrote:
It is more money but, IMHO, worth every penny - it... (show quote)
Yup, PoleMaster is worth every penny of an accurate polar alignment! I have one unit and mounting brackets for my Celestron AVX and CGEM DX. It also came with a mounting bracket for a Star Adventurer.
bwa
Sep 17, 2017 19:22:20 #
bwana wrote:
Yup, PoleMaster is worth every penny of an accurate polar alignment! I have one unit and mounting brackets for my Celestron AVX and CGEM DX. It also came with a mounting bracket for a Star Adventurer.
bwa
bwa
Indeed! I bought the brackets for my AVX and ZEQ25, though I have not used on the later. But it is easy to move from mount to mount. But, if you are heading to a place where it a view of the North may have obstructions - then the 30 bucks you spend for Alignmaster is well worth it. This is a video review of Alignmaster
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNRFm3LtCrE
Sep 17, 2017 23:47:06 #
nikonshooter wrote:
It is more money but, IMHO, worth every penny - it... (show quote)
I'm guessing its been awhile since you bought your Polemaster.
It's running $300 plus about $30 for the adapter.
I am seriously considering adding this go my CGEM that I just purchased that I haven't been able to use yet.
I want to have the best chances for tracking now that I have a scope better suited to my SCT's.
Thanks for the testimonial. Coming from you it means a lot.
Jim
Sep 18, 2017 17:39:57 #
Albuqshutterbug wrote:
I'm guessing its been awhile since you bought your Polemaster.
It's running $300 plus about $30 for the adapter.
I am seriously considering adding this go my CGEM that I just purchased that I haven't been able to use yet.
I want to have the best chances for tracking now that I have a scope better suited to my SCT's.
Thanks for the testimonial. Coming from you it means a lot.
Jim
It's running $300 plus about $30 for the adapter.
I am seriously considering adding this go my CGEM that I just purchased that I haven't been able to use yet.
I want to have the best chances for tracking now that I have a scope better suited to my SCT's.
Thanks for the testimonial. Coming from you it means a lot.
Jim
That sounds right.......I have added a few astro gadgets in the last few years and I cannot remember what I paid for what. What I like best, besides it's accuracy, is I no longer have to get on my knees - and contort my neck so I can make sense of the view through the polar scope....and the further north you go the more difficult it becomes.
Sep 19, 2017 11:03:38 #
nikonshooter wrote:
That sounds right.......I have added a few astro gadgets in the last few years and I cannot remember what I paid for what. What I like best, besides it's accuracy, is I no longer have to get on my knees - and contort my neck so I can make sense of the view through the polar scope....and the further north you go the more difficult it becomes.
Ordered it today and found a package deal at High Point Scientific that included the CGEM adaptor for $299 with free shipping.
Anything I need to know up front?
Sep 19, 2017 23:15:25 #
Albuqshutterbug wrote:
Ordered it today and found a package deal at High Point Scientific that included the CGEM adaptor for $299 with free shipping.
Anything I need to know up front?
Anything I need to know up front?
Well, one thing...
You are $300 bucks lighter...
Other wise, maybe a mile ahead of where you was.
Sep 20, 2017 00:09:47 #
SonnyE wrote:
Well, one thing...
You are $300 bucks lighter...
Other wise, maybe a mile ahead of where you was.
You are $300 bucks lighter...
Other wise, maybe a mile ahead of where you was.
Mutter mutter. Durn comedians.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.