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The 8"Black Widow has moved away from the stray light
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Jan 13, 2023 08:41:41   #
stepping beyond Loc: usa eastcoast
 
Alanna wanted a deck patio, I wanted an Observatory . compromise?, it's a win win and I was out collecting photons 3 hrs after it was finish. You may wonder about whether there is any vibration NO ! 4X6 posts 4ft deep, 2x8 planks, plenty of concrete , stablized no noticeable movement in guiding when Alanna was walking on it nor when a train comes by. Platform is made of 4x 2x8 plank boards with waterproof 4" flooring, it's moveable and very heavy 2 men to move it {it doesn't slide}.



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Jan 13, 2023 10:00:26   #
Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore
 
I have a ROR observatory and general rule is always isolate pier from walking surface.
If you're getting no vibration good for you.

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Jan 13, 2023 13:25:12   #
Europa Loc: West Hills, CA
 
👍

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Jan 13, 2023 13:29:58   #
Ballard Loc: Grass Valley, California
 
stepping beyond wrote:
Alanna wanted a deck patio, I wanted an Observatory . compromise?, it's a win win and I was out collecting photons 3 hrs after it was finish. You may wonder about whether there is any vibration NO ! 4X6 posts 4ft deep, 2x8 planks, plenty of concrete , stablized no noticeable movement in guiding when Alanna was walking on it nor when a train comes by. Platform is made of 4x 2x8 plank boards with waterproof 4" flooring, it's moveable and very heavy 2 men to move it {it doesn't slide}.


Neat setup. Looks like you are ready to get some more shots.

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Jan 14, 2023 09:27:30   #
alberio Loc: Casa Grande AZ
 
stepping beyond wrote:
Alanna wanted a deck patio, I wanted an Observatory . compromise?, it's a win win and I was out collecting photons 3 hrs after it was finish. You may wonder about whether there is any vibration NO ! 4X6 posts 4ft deep, 2x8 planks, plenty of concrete , stablized no noticeable movement in guiding when Alanna was walking on it nor when a train comes by. Platform is made of 4x 2x8 plank boards with waterproof 4" flooring, it's moveable and very heavy 2 men to move it {it doesn't slide}.


But she still brought her web of wires with her, 👍👍👍

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Jan 14, 2023 13:44:46   #
bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada
 
stepping beyond wrote:
Alanna wanted a deck patio, I wanted an Observatory . compromise?, it's a win win and I was out collecting photons 3 hrs after it was finish. You may wonder about whether there is any vibration NO ! 4X6 posts 4ft deep, 2x8 planks, plenty of concrete , stablized no noticeable movement in guiding when Alanna was walking on it nor when a train comes by. Platform is made of 4x 2x8 plank boards with waterproof 4" flooring, it's moveable and very heavy 2 men to move it {it doesn't slide}.

Sounds solid and definitely convenient.

I relocated my observatory from a spot about 400' from the house to the deck in 2022. And even though the observatory is directly over two of the concrete deck supports it isn't as solid as the previous pier mounted site but it sure beats plowing through snow to and from the old site (and it is right next to my WiFi router).

bwa

SkyShed POD with David Levy 152 Mak-Newt on an iOptron CEM26 EQ Mount
SkyShed POD with David Levy 152 Mak-Newt on an iOp...
(Download)

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Jan 15, 2023 09:55:00   #
SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA
 
All right, Ronnie!
That corner spot probably has the best stability on the deck.
Do you just throw a cover over it in between?

(I haul my telescope and computer in and out. But my mount stays in place and gets a big round BBQ cover over it with my 32 gallon dome over all.)
My WiFi reaches fine from the inside out to my back wall. And my mount sits on sanded in bricks so me clodding around doesn't seem to affect it like it used to.

Nice improvement!

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Jan 15, 2023 10:40:40   #
SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA
 
bwana wrote:
Sounds solid and definitely convenient.

I relocated my observatory from a spot about 400' from the house to the deck in 2022. And even though the observatory is directly over two of the concrete deck supports it isn't as solid as the previous pier mounted site but it sure beats plowing through snow to and from the old site (and it is right next to my WiFi router).

bwa


Nice Brian!
Bet you are much more apt to use your mount now that you aren't wading through butt deep snow.
I usually get mine going, then retreat into the house to run it remotely. But with NINA, I'm learning to build sequence's and just Polar Align then start a sequence written for the target I'm after. Much like Sequence Generator Pro is designed to do.
Always something new to learn.

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Jan 16, 2023 08:45:47   #
stepping beyond Loc: usa eastcoast
 
I've tried and tried to get rid of Widows web , I guess they're staying, I keep getting cable snags when I touch her web. I clean her web constantly getting rid of her babbies. I don't understand how to manage the cables after 6 years of trying , I gave up, the web beat me {If it isn't broke don't mess with it, I'll screw it up ALBERIO.} I use N.i.n.a for a backup Sonny , if I can't get it to connect or get frustrated at SGP, I'll disconnect and setup a sequence with N.I.N.A and away I go or I'll just fire up Sharpcap and run live stacking and run. Always have a backup plan fellas it'll save a clear night of frustration.

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Jan 16, 2023 11:53:08   #
stepping beyond Loc: usa eastcoast
 
Thank you Ballard, I just PA and adjusted the guide scope and 8pm I was hauling in the photons. I still have the spiders web and the way I see it is, if it isn't snagging cables and the guiding between .5 and 1 pixel than leave it be. I'm finishing up shooting Sh2-239 and LDN1551 before I start collecting on the HH ,Orion,Flame and Running man.At least that's my plan yall. Sidewalk astronomy , there is always an exception to the rule, as long as it works well; don't mess with it, I enjoy what I do.

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Jan 16, 2023 12:23:45   #
bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada
 
stepping beyond wrote:
I've tried and tried to get rid of Widows web , I guess they're staying, I keep getting cable snags when I touch her web. I clean her web constantly getting rid of her babbies. I don't understand how to manage the cables after 6 years of trying , I gave up, the web beat me {If it isn't broke don't mess with it, I'll screw it up ALBERIO.} I use N.i.n.a for a backup Sonny , if I can't get it to connect or get frustrated at SGP, I'll disconnect and setup a sequence with N.I.N.A and away I go or I'll just fire up Sharpcap and run live stacking and run. Always have a backup plan fellas it'll save a clear night of frustration.
I've tried and tried to get rid of Widows web , I... (show quote)

I use the KISS principle for astro-imaging. One power cable to the mount. One cable from camera to intervalometer. I might add one additional cable if I'm using an astro-camera.

The more cables, the more problems with things getting caught on something or faulty connections...

bwa

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Jan 17, 2023 11:51:15   #
Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore
 
stepping beyond wrote:
Thank you Ballard, I just PA and adjusted the guide scope and 8pm I was hauling in the photons. I still have the spiders web and the way I see it is, if it isn't snagging cables and the guiding between .5 and 1 pixel than leave it be. I'm finishing up shooting Sh2-239 and LDN1551 before I start collecting on the HH ,Orion,Flame and Running man.At least that's my plan yall. Sidewalk astronomy , there is always an exception to the rule, as long as it works well; don't mess with it, I enjoy what I do.
Thank you Ballard, I just PA and adjusted the guid... (show quote)


ASTRO photography is e tremely difficult. Guiding and pin point stars is tough. Nice work

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Jan 17, 2023 13:21:12   #
SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA
 
stepping beyond wrote:
I've tried and tried to get rid of Widows web , I guess they're staying, I keep getting cable snags when I touch her web. I clean her web constantly getting rid of her babbies. I don't understand how to manage the cables after 6 years of trying , I gave up, the web beat me {If it isn't broke don't mess with it, I'll screw it up ALBERIO.} I use N.i.n.a for a backup Sonny , if I can't get it to connect or get frustrated at SGP, I'll disconnect and setup a sequence with N.I.N.A and away I go or I'll just fire up Sharpcap and run live stacking and run. Always have a backup plan fellas it'll save a clear night of frustration.
I've tried and tried to get rid of Widows web , I... (show quote)


Yeah, I can't stand unruly wiring. I guess it's my analness from 42 years in the electrical trades. I use a product known as Spiral Wrap. I bundle any wiring I can and make it less tangleable.
I use a Startech powered hub mounted on my filter wheel with Velcro. One power wire for all, and one USB3 cable for control and data from my Baby Dell laptop/tablet. Then Tight Vnc as my wireless connection between the inside and outside.
But I never could stand a bunch of loose cables and wires. I have it as condensed as I can now. My Baby Dell gives me visual and a full function computer at the mount, and Wi-Fi's to my router really good now.
A weak router(s) was always a PITA. But this last router has enough power and range it reaches clear out to the mount.

One of the worst things I tried was a micro computer. I wore a path from the inside to the mount outside. Because no display, and it was too weak to Wi-Fi. Even with booster antenna's and Wi-Fi extenders.

I guess I just like the abuse and frustration this sport brings with it.

I did a trial with Sequence Generator Pro, and could see the value in it, but not the price. Nor the way the developer acted to another guy and I for asking if it could save as tiff file format. (At that time it would ONLY save as .fit files) The developer told us to go get NINA if we wanted other file formats.
At the time, they were just changing from a one-time purchase to a rental by the month. I don't buy into rental agreements. And his temper tantrum cost him any future interest by me.
So I downloaded the Free NINA program. But had to get my equipment up to acceptable function to really see results. My (now) old ED80T CF Orion telescope is sporting a few red anodized ZWO gadgets. I'm learning to live with that.
I tend to change as my gadgets fail. So it takes a long time for me to evolve. When my home-grown Electronic focuser finally failed, I got a ZWO EAF focuser. Before that, I upgraded my guiding camera. Now, everything is ready for fully functional remote operation and works great with NINA. I've been developing Sequences and saving them in NINA. My learning process is painfully slow. More like plowing a field with a spading fork. I repeat a mistake until it works. It works when I've finally trained myself to work with it.
I was forced into getting good at guiding at the start. Now, NINA does Plate Solving and centering.
I've been doing a Polar Alignment, then starting a predesigned sequence. NINA takes it from there. I'm almost to AWIS Mode (Astrophotography while I sleep mode.) NINA even parks my mount when done.
If I could get it to pull up a blanket and tuck it in.....

The only thing in the way now is the weather. Oh, and that post processing thing.
But I don't want to rush into anything.

What a long, strange trip it's been.

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Jan 18, 2023 18:37:47   #
stepping beyond Loc: usa eastcoast
 
Sonny, fits is the astronomical standard format for imaging . All my buddies use fits format because it isn't compressed and it comes with a header of information for that sub image which is just what you'll need when you score and process your images. Sgp isn't for everyone ,N.I.N.A isn't the only freeware out there , it's what you're more comfortable with. Sonny, you really {NEED} to save your raw data in the fits format. You can always convert it after stacking ,you want to stack your raw data with the most information instead of a fraction of the sum of information you spent hours collecting.

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Jan 18, 2023 18:49:55   #
stepping beyond Loc: usa eastcoast
 
Brian, the majority of my web is the extra footage of cables that is weaved through the mounts eyepiece holder/ tripod spreader . I found treasure in the walmart parking lot a bundle of velcro straps just perfect for strapping wires to the legs of the mount. I'm starting to get things tidy now but, if I get a darn cable snag it's all your fault , there is no fault in our stars .ha ha "I like that movie alot" I can relate to it by the way. Things were rough for me in school after my accident in 1974.

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