JimH123 wrote:
Looks like you are getting good focusing and nice round stars. And it looks like your processing has come up a notch. Good work.
The Ring Nebula is one of my favorite objects. For comparison, here is one I took using my Explore Scientific 102ed (FL = 714mm) with an Olympus EM5ii camera (micro 4/3). It is from a stack of 60sec images at ISO 1600. I used DSS to stack.
Unfortunately, my life has gotten busy and I don't find much time to get out with the telescope and camera, and I miss it a lot.
Looks like you are getting good focusing and nice ... (
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Hi Jim, Good to see you! Thank You!
I just let the Atik software do the "heavy lifting" of stacking. It does much better than my attempts. So the Infinity is a great camera for me.
I built my own focuser using plans from a fellow in Britain, Tekky Dave. It's an Arduino based control. And computer based. Perfect for me and my remotest tendencies.
With the long focuser of my telescope (630 mm) it has over 23,000 steps of movement. Dividing it out, each step is 0.02739 mm in reach. Far more minute than my somewhat shaky fingers could adjust.
There are times where I can find a difference in single steps in my picturds. But I tend to adjust, or check with my Bahtinov Mask once, then just run with it. My patience is only so long....
And I'm typically only good for a few hours before I find myself nodding off, even outside.
But the electronic focuser has been another quantum leap for me.
Now, with scope rings on my aftermarket Vixen Bar (Solid 6061 Aluminum) I think I stepped up stability a notch. Brian (Europa) shown me the way with his ED80T CF. He changed to a focuser with an electronic stepper, (Moonlite ???) and it negated the typical foot Orion put on these. (Orion's method had about 1 square inch of support attached to the OEM focuser assembly.) The Williams Optics Scope Rings are rock solid for the tube. As long as my focuser remains solid, I should be golden for stability, for now.
I'm progressing like an inchworm over years of learning.
In the past few weeks our Sister-in-Law was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer in a breast and her liver. Kind of readjusts your priorities between working and enjoying life. Kind of a sudden smack in the face of reality. There is no treatment at this point.
My Brother-in-Law said when she comes home from a Cruise with their youngest son that she has planned and been so looking forward to, that he thinks it is time for a road trip.
I suggested to the wife we load up in our RV and get out there, if Ann would like to, of course. Just go.
No time prognosis yet. But the Daughter (CCRN) sez probably 4-6 months.
I'm at a point where I want to completely retire, and relax. It's time to live the last days, not work them.
We bought our 2000 Coachmen RV for retirement. It has hardly been used. But I and the BIL could drive, my wife could give comfort care, and we could go see a few places.
I will be 70 next March. Soon I may give up long distance traveling. I already refuse most trips my wife wants to go on (Cruises and such). I enjoy my dog and being home tinkering on my boat and telescope.
(And my beer.
) I'm glad to let her go with the family on cruises, or anything she'd like.
And she is happy to put up with me.
So Jim, try and not spend your life chasing the all mighty dollar, and take some time for your interests, too. None of us know how much time we may have.