And some things haven't changed. LOL!
Still can't process for beans.

Hah!
Get set-up right and you can just start the night and wake up to the file.

NINA and Me-na. I'm in nirvana.

I watched my equipment (remotely) do a meridian flip. Then wondered why it did two more.
My conclusion was it was perfecting its aim.

Made me think back on the days when I would try to get my subject centered by hand, and the focus was always off.
Now it's automagical. I'm where I was dreaming of being 10 years ago.

Take a trip and never leave the farm....

Once you spend the money, stubbornness will get you the patience.
I can't tell you how many times I quit, just to try again the next night.

Still awestruck with your Sony camera.

Very nice, Brian!

Are you practicing for the Eclipse?
Or too far N/W for it?

Thanks Albireo.
I might get the hang of this yet.
All it takes is money and patience.

The skunks!

My que!

So I've been dawdling in the backyard. I have Racoons, and a big Owl has come around again.
Trying, then deleting, then waiting for our torrential rain to get the heck out of here. (We have moss growing! In the desert!)
I recently was informed I had a lot of DEC backlash. So I spent some time adjusting that. (PHD2 woes)
Got it!
But then, I think I like the challenge and frustration as much as the picturds.

Yep, I think Forrest Tanaka sez it best: Astrophotography

I've become quite the curmudgeon with my remote operation. I don't have to sit out and shiver, unless I want to. I think I've only deployed my Insulated Carhart's a couple of times this "winter".
I even have a remote camera on my equipment now.
And run everything remotely most of the time.
I'm sucha turd.

Recently, Windows shoved another "Update" at me and when I shut down my mount laptop, it updated. I wound up removing the update, then figuring what it damaged.
And as usual, Windows shot holes in my drivers, PHD2 being one of the casualties.
After removing and reinstalling PHD2, it's fixed again. It took longer to build the new dark files in PHD2 than anything else.
I hate Windows Update. It cripples anything not from the Microsoft Store. Which is about everything that works with any astro programs.

OK, happy to stink up UHH again.

In B&W....



March 17th, 2024.

Great to see you, Marc!
Beautiful Heart Nebula!

Weather? What's that?
I'm under an "Atmospheric River".
I know I'm under it because it continues to dribble on me.
Holy crapoly.

Sorry to hear that Ronnie. No fun being in pain my Friend.
Can't keep up the work right now. Clouds.
Plus being a nurse for my wife who had Back Surgery. So looking after her comforts as needed.

Brian did some processing of files from this ASI 1600MM and he said he didn't think I needed a flattener for the telescope. I would have blindly gotten one back when, but they were on back order. So I figured just try it without.
I don't see any vignetting I'm worried over. And I crop away any stacking artifacts anyhow. Or excess background.
I got a couple for my 80mm telescope but alas, saw no improvement at the time.

Suppose to get some clearing here. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Yes Sir. All the filters, actually.
Not sure what I'll get out of them, but heck, it's easy to click them all on in NINA, and let it do its thing.
I have the Pegasus Flats Master I use for the flats wizard in NINA.
Since I don't know any better, I shoot the whole 9 yards.
I've even taken a step back and use the scope cover to take the darks, and dark flats.

Since everything is cooled and at it's "Normal", I try to get it all just to have it available.
I err towards the too much side. LOL!

I was watching a GraXpert video and thought I'd take a side trip with a processed file. I was impressed with it for a first time fly by.

Thank You!

Thanks! Hope yours was as well!

Thank You, Bruce.

Thank You, Mr. B