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Posted: 12/6/2018 6:37:18 PM EST
[#1]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
This is looking SSE. The brightest trail is Sirius, on the right hand side of the frame, so that puts E just to the left of the prominent pine tree on the left side of the frame. The town at the bottom of the ridge is Leesburg, AL. Here's all of that stuff in motion...  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TO2_UKzw9SsQuote HistoryQuoted:
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From a recent rock climbing trip in northern Alabama.... https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/203937/Sand_Rock_5156-5271_B_-_1200-756025.jpg Vaguely reminiscent of Baghdad opening night. Here's all of that stuff in motion... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TO2_UKzw9SsHowever, if that's your drone, you could mount an RF remote flash on it, and go nuts with painting the foreground! Keep drone lights just out of frame on the bottom and angle flash upward? I know flying that at night is just begging for losing it, though. However, it's a cool concept! I really like the photo, and should try one from here, you can see what a _flat_ horizon in 360 degrees looks like. Maybe I should get a 5.8mm lens, point it straight up, and show the sky from horizon to horizon. Just not sure how to de-warp it, suppose I'd need to make a VR spin/look image from it.  
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Posted: 12/8/2018 1:09:04 AM EST
[#2]
Set up tonight for essentially the first real time in over 10 years.
Partial of the heart nebula, the focal length on my scope is too long to get all of it. 10x 90 second exposures. 
Attempt at M42, pretty happy with it, 23x 5 second exposures, and 10x 20 second exposures 
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Posted: 12/8/2018 4:21:56 PM EST
[#3]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Cool, you got a rock climber in action too! I didn't see him hauling a tripod, though. However, if that's your drone, you could mount an RF remote flash on it, and go nuts with painting the foreground! Keep drone lights just out of frame on the bottom and angle flash upward? I know flying that at night is just begging for losing it, though. However, it's a cool concept! I really like the photo, and should try one from here, you can see what a _flat_ horizon in 360 degrees looks like. Maybe I should get a 5.8mm lens, point it straight up, and show the sky from horizon to horizon. Just not sure how to de-warp it, suppose I'd need to make a VR spin/look image from it. www.amazon.com/dp/B00JD4SWT0 Quote HistoryQuoted:
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From a recent rock climbing trip in northern Alabama.... https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/203937/Sand_Rock_5156-5271_B_-_1200-756025.jpg Vaguely reminiscent of Baghdad opening night. Here's all of that stuff in motion... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TO2_UKzw9SsHowever, if that's your drone, you could mount an RF remote flash on it, and go nuts with painting the foreground! Keep drone lights just out of frame on the bottom and angle flash upward? I know flying that at night is just begging for losing it, though. However, it's a cool concept! I really like the photo, and should try one from here, you can see what a _flat_ horizon in 360 degrees looks like. Maybe I should get a 5.8mm lens, point it straight up, and show the sky from horizon to horizon. Just not sure how to de-warp it, suppose I'd need to make a VR spin/look image from it. www.amazon.com/dp/B00JD4SWT0 In the future, I'm going back up there with a 14mm f/2.8 and jugs of water to fill some of the erosion dishes at the tops of the cliffs to get star trails and reflections in the pools of water. I'd also like to get some nighttime shots of climbers on a route, but it's hard to rustle up people who want to go put on their climbing shoes after dinner, especially if it's cold. |
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Posted: 12/9/2018 7:40:51 PM EST
[#4]
Finally a clear night!
Hopefully pics to follow tomorrow |
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Posted: 12/10/2018 12:19:07 AM EST
[#5]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Finally a clear night! Hopefully pics to follow tomorrow Here's the imaging setup I'm using right now. I am using my Berlebach wood tripod (that I use for my large format camera) instead of the included one. It's imaging the Triangulum Galaxy right now. Stellarvue SV80 Access 80mm F7 Apo riding on a Skywatcher AZ-GTI GOTO mount. The mount is in equatorial mode and I am using the Skywatcher Star Adventurer Wedge. I am also using my Berlebach tripod instead of the included tripod since it is more stable.  Telescope Setup by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr
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Posted: 12/10/2018 1:09:08 AM EST
[#6]
Speaking of Tripods...
For long shoots (both session duration and shutter duration), which one of these would the type desired, video or photo? Video appears to be more rigid, but heavier, while photo collapses nicely and doesn't weigh much... All input and suggeestions welcome. Would like to stay in 100 and below range, with some flex there if it's a make or break reason. Both long and interval long exposures, conditions are always windy, so 10 to 15 mph with some gusts is normal and probably the limit I'd try anyway. "Calm" means 5mph or so here. Exact brand doesn't matter. I'd prefer to not get Bogen or Manfrotto unless absolutely necessary, I'm OK with knockoffs when it's dark out and nobody can see the logos. 
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Posted: 12/10/2018 6:46:49 AM EST
[#7]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Speaking of Tripods... For long shoots (both session duration and shutter duration), which one of these would the type desired, video or photo? Video appears to be more rigid, but heavier, while photo collapses nicely and doesn't weigh much... Both long and interval long exposures, conditions are always windy, so 10 to 15 mph with some gusts is normal and probably the limit I'd try anyway. "Calm" means 5mph or so here. At the same time, that video tripod you posted has pretty poor reviews, for a tripod, I wouldn't think twice about buying a used one to save some money, not a whole lot that can go wrong with those. |
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Posted: 12/10/2018 8:20:45 AM EST
[#8]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Set up tonight for essentially the first real time in over 10 years. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4882/44408567650_2581a41339_z.jpg Partial of the heart nebula, the focal length on my scope is too long to get all of it. 10x 90 second exposures. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4909/44408570970_5e9d77b183_z.jpg Attempt at M42, pretty happy with it, 23x 5 second exposures, and 10x 20 second exposures https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4890/44408567360_d02c9e9a09_c.jpg Nice! Details on your equipment? |
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Posted: 12/10/2018 5:04:14 PM EST
[#9]
Quote HistoryQuoted: @Zach540 Nice! Details on your equipment? Right now I'm using a Meade LXD75 mount with a Polemaster, Meade SN6 OTA with upgraded focuser, and a stock Nikon D7000. I have an Orion ST80 for PHD, but can't seem to get it to work reliably on my LXD75 mount, the connection is very much intermittent. I have a new mount on the way, and am considering some new OTAs, mainly looking at a William Optics Zenithstar 61 initially, and possibly an RC6. Took this last night, had a horrible time getting to it, there's quite a bit of backlash in my current mount and the goto doesn't work well, once there, it tracks alright, but that initial bit to get it moving it troublesome. 
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Posted: 12/10/2018 6:06:27 PM EST
[#10]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Thanks, it's been very rewarding getting back into it! Right now I'm using a Meade LXD75 mount with a Polemaster, Meade SN6 OTA with upgraded focuser, and a stock Nikon D7000. I have an Orion ST80 for PHD, but can't seem to get it to work reliably on my LXD75 mount, the connection is very much intermittent. I have a new mount on the way, and am considering some new OTAs, mainly looking at a William Optics Zenithstar 61 initially, and possibly an RC6. Took this last night, had a horrible time getting to it, there's quite a bit of backlash in my current mount and the goto doesn't work well, once there, it tracks alright, but that initial bit to get it moving it troublesome. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1921/44447872690_9f0168b4ff_c.jpg I used to use an orion ST80 that had a orion star shoot camera on it, I ran it from the camera to the mount with an ST port but that was the wrong way, or not the ideal way I guess. I not go from a guide camera to the computer then from the computer to the mount using USB with ASCOM, it has helped tremendously. I'm no expert but I can certainly try to help you get set up with PHD, its an amazing software. PHD and Sequence Generator Pro have completely overhauled my shooting, my only real limitation these days are cloudy skies and a mount that is not ideal. |
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Posted: 12/10/2018 8:16:15 PM EST
[#11]
Quote HistoryQuoted: @Zach540 I used to use an orion ST80 that had a orion star shoot camera on it, I ran it from the camera to the mount with an ST port but that was the wrong way, or not the ideal way I guess. I not go from a guide camera to the computer then from the computer to the mount using USB with ASCOM, it has helped tremendously. I'm no expert but I can certainly try to help you get set up with PHD, its an amazing software. PHD and Sequence Generator Pro have completely overhauled my shooting, my only real limitation these days are cloudy skies and a mount that is not ideal. I have the ASCOM drivers installed and even using PTOH, it's very intermittent, sometimes it works through there, and other times it will do absolutely nothing. Apparently it's a pretty common problem with the LXDs from what I've read on Cloudy Nights. I'm not going to stress too much over it since I have a new mount coming later this month, then I'll really work on getting that setup, and I'll likely take you up on that offer then! How do you like Sequence Generator Pro? I'm currently using Backyard Nikon, tried APT, but wasn't very fond of the interface. |
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Posted: 12/10/2018 8:32:02 PM EST
[#12]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Not trying to be rude, honestly can't figure out what you are trying to say there... I have the ASCOM drivers installed and even using PTOH, it's very intermittent, sometimes it works through there, and other times it will do absolutely nothing. Apparently it's a pretty common problem with the LXDs from what I've read on Cloudy Nights. I'm not going to stress too much over it since I have a new mount coming later this month, then I'll really work on getting that setup, and I'll likely take you up on that offer then! How do you like Sequence Generator Pro? I'm currently using Backyard Nikon, tried APT, but wasn't very fond of the interface. 
I think I meant to say "I now go" I was getting attacked by my two kids when I typed that up quick, I was dodging nerf darts 
As for SGP it is the best money I've ever spent on software. Its is truly incredible. You can create profiles for different cameras/scope set ups, use the framing wizard to plan out your images or create mosaics. The software just does so much, it controls my cameras, filter wheel, mount, auto focuser, will sync your telescope with a star database to plate solve, talks to phd to help with guiding. I can tell it how long to shoot per filter, how often to focus check, when to start or stop shooting. It has a recovery mode if something goes wrong it will try to restart. I can go on and on with more rambling running sentences, but I really cannot say enough about it. It is one piece of software everyone should have |
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Posted: 12/10/2018 8:45:33 PM EST
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Thanks, it's been very rewarding getting back into it! Right now I'm using a Meade LXD75 mount with a Polemaster, Meade SN6 OTA with upgraded focuser, and a stock Nikon D7000. I have an Orion ST80 for PHD, but can't seem to get it to work reliably on my LXD75 mount, the connection is very much intermittent. I have a new mount on the way, and am considering some new OTAs, mainly looking at a William Optics Zenithstar 61 initially, and possibly an RC6. Took this last night, had a horrible time getting to it, there's quite a bit of backlash in my current mount and the goto doesn't work well, once there, it tracks alright, but that initial bit to get it moving it troublesome. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1921/44447872690_9f0168b4ff_c.jpg I think that will be my next DSO |
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Posted: 12/10/2018 9:56:11 PM EST
[#14]
Was suppose to be clear for 8 hours last night, managed two before clouds, tonight was supposed to be clear all night, heavy cloud cover
Another reason to hate NY, its always cloudy. I need to move to Arizona |
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Posted: 12/11/2018 1:54:09 PM EST
[#15]
Here is what I have so far on M45 the Pleiades
Two hours of luminance data, this will be a very blue image of I ever get a chance to shoot the color filters. 
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Posted: 12/11/2018 6:31:09 PM EST
[#16]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Great photo! I think that will be my next DSO By the way, your M31 and M42 shots look great! Can't wait to see how yours turns out after stacking shorter exposures for M42. That's something I need to get better at, when I stack mine with different exposure lengths, I tend to start losing detail, but I guess that's where trial and error and learning comes in! Where are you at in CO? I'm in the greater CO Springs area. |
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Posted: 12/11/2018 7:03:28 PM EST
[#17]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Here is what I have so far on M45 the Pleiades Two hours of luminance data, this will be a very blue image of I ever get a chance to shoot the color filters. https://i.imgur.com/h1kAjKE.jpg |
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Posted: 12/11/2018 10:29:01 PM EST
[#18]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Thanks, I was amazed when I first saw all that detail, since a lot of it isn't visible through the scope. By the way, your M31 and M42 shots look great! Can't wait to see how yours turns out after stacking shorter exposures for M42. That's something I need to get better at, when I stack mine with different exposure lengths, I tend to start losing detail, but I guess that's where trial and error and learning comes in! Where are you at in CO? I'm in the greater CO Springs area. I am up in Loveland (just south of Fort Collins). |
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Posted: 12/12/2018 2:58:25 AM EST
[#19]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Thanks! I'm shooting the Pleiades right now. I'll probably swing the scope over to the Flame/Horsehead later tonight. I am up in Loveland (just south of Fort Collins). Gotcha, we're still somewhat new to the area, work at Peterson but love the skies here compared to the DC area we just came from. |
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Posted: 12/16/2018 3:09:38 AM EST
[#20]
Set up tonight hoping for M33, unfortunately my telescope had different ideas, after the third collimation for the night (fairly large temperature change) my secondary spun on me ending the night (didn't want to risk scratching the corrector.
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Posted: 12/16/2018 5:35:36 PM EST
[#21]
What can be expected with a Canon 400mm/4.0L?
Or 70-210mm 2.8L Or 14 mm 2.8 I have 1.4x (-1 stop) and 2x (-2 stop) tele-extenders to stick on the L lenses, otherwise, a mix and match of 2.8-5.6 from 18-155mm with a few fixed in between, however, the extenders I have are only compatible with the White canon "pro" lenses (L). Sidetrack: I found a very sturdy tripod, inherited from my father, among lots of other photo stuff from point and shoot to medium format choices and lots of Nikon/Roliflex/(other niche brands) from 1950s to 1990s. Looking again at film/processing costs for medium and large format makes me very envious of those who did Astrophotography prior to digital editing. Even the dozen pieces/frames of film to align into a better frame of film would get expensive and try patience. So kudos to those of you who do these awesome images! When it still takes many hours of post-processing to get an image "correct" there's art going on. Doing these only with film and chemical darkroom is maybe even worse than benchrest shooters for tedious hobbies. |
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Posted: 12/16/2018 5:59:12 PM EST
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
What can be expected with a Canon 400mm/4.0L? Or 70-210mm 2.8L Or 14 mm 2.8 I have 1.4x (-1 stop) and 2x (-2 stop) tele-extenders to stick on the L lenses, otherwise, a mix and match of 2.8-5.6 from 18-155mm with a few fixed in between, however, the extenders I have are only compatible with the White canon "pro" lenses (L). Sidetrack: I found a very sturdy tripod, inherited from my father, among lots of other photo stuff from point and shoot to medium format choices and lots of Nikon/Roliflex/(other niche brands) from 1950s to 1990s. Looking again at film/processing costs for medium and large format makes me very envious of those who did Astrophotography prior to digital editing. Even the dozen pieces/frames of film to align into a better frame of film would get expensive and try patience. So kudos to those of you who do these awesome images! When it still takes many hours of post-processing to get an image "correct" there's art going on. Doing these only with film and chemical darkroom is maybe even worse than benchrest shooters for tedious hobbies. |
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Posted: 12/16/2018 6:19:21 PM EST
[#23]
Going to read this thread front to back. Bought a low end/ very entry level Celestron on Black Friday, and got a couple decent eyepieces. Going to a nice state park tomorrow that should offer some incredible views. I've been having fun finding objects from my back yard, but there should be very little light pollution tomorrow night. The moon is setting later now, but I can wait it out.
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Posted: 12/17/2018 12:56:02 AM EST
[#24]
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Posted: 12/17/2018 8:20:57 AM EST
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Set up tonight hoping for M33, unfortunately my telescope had different ideas, after the third collimation for the night (fairly large temperature change) my secondary spun on me ending the night (didn't want to risk scratching the corrector. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4863/46335181481_40aec4c189_z.jpg |
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Posted: 12/17/2018 8:22:33 AM EST
[#26]
Quote History |
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Posted: 12/17/2018 6:27:18 PM EST
[#27]
I got 3.5 hours exposure on the Rosetta Nebula and 3.5 hours exposure on the Elephant Trunk Nebula last night.
I stacked the Elephant Nebula and I'm now in the process of post processing it. I'm not sure it will turn out great as I am just using a stock DSLR and the Elephant Trunk seems like it would be much better with some Ha. I'll post it here when I finish either way. |
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Posted: 12/18/2018 1:31:21 AM EST
[#28]
Elephants Trunk Nebula
This is my first "difficult" DSO I've tried to capture. I shot this last night from my backyard, during a half moon and with plenty of light pollution. Stellarvue SV80 Access Pentax K1 (unmodified) EQ6-R Pro 64 subs at 180 seconds each shot at 800 ISO (total of 192 minutes)  Elephant Trunk Nebula by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr
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Posted: 12/18/2018 8:01:58 AM EST
[#29]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Elephants Trunk Nebula This is my first "difficult" DSO I've tried to capture. I shot this last night from my backyard, during a half moon and with plenty of light pollution. Stellarvue SV80 Access Pentax K1 (unmodified) EQ6-R Pro 64 subs at 180 seconds each shot at 800 ISO (total of 192 minutes) https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4898/46312815792_df7b539bf1_c.jpgElephant Trunk Nebula by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr |
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Posted: 12/19/2018 9:09:10 AM EST
[#30]
Fucked up on the processing on this, forgot to do flats which really screwed me. Also didn't get nearly the time I wanted to because of clouds.
I don't mind posting my failure shots, and this is one of them. |
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Posted: 12/20/2018 3:43:20 PM EST
[#31]
My wife and I wanted to hang some of our astrophotos, we were thinking of getting a sky chart and using thumb tacks with different colors, then using the corresponding color mat to frame the pics we take, but I think making these for the areas is cooler.
 
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Posted: 12/20/2018 8:56:02 PM EST
[#32]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
My wife and I wanted to hang some of our astrophotos, we were thinking of getting a sky chart and using thumb tacks with different colors, then using the corresponding color mat to frame the pics we take, but I think making these for the areas is cooler. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4913/46347097432_cacf20a925.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4854/32525930388_c3c6c82aae.jpghttps://farm5.staticflickr.com/4849/46347097532_69e45bb245.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4852/44581010470_5b87f35f0a.jpg Do you have little colored/sharpie marks to show where in constellation top print is at, or is that the idea that got scrapped? It'd be great for visitors or idiots on the net. 
A completely digital one of making a huge image/sky chart, then "thumbnailing" your own photos (1500x1000) of the various objects on it would be sweet. Sort of like a stellarium program but not as interactive. I'm guessing something like that has been done before and hard to do. Like laying a sky chart over the Hubble Deep Field, it would make up one pixel. --ETA: Laser etch names of constellation on photo frame glass? |
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Posted: 12/20/2018 9:00:17 PM EST
[#33]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
My wife and I wanted to hang some of our astrophotos, we were thinking of getting a sky chart and using thumb tacks with different colors, then using the corresponding color mat to frame the pics we take, but I think making these for the areas is cooler. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4913/46347097432_cacf20a925.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4854/32525930388_c3c6c82aae.jpghttps://farm5.staticflickr.com/4849/46347097532_69e45bb245.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4852/44581010470_5b87f35f0a.jpg |
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Posted: 12/20/2018 9:00:42 PM EST
[#34]
Bodes Nebula, M81 & M82.
I shot this last night at a 3/4 moon. The cigar galaxy (M82) color was visible in only a single photo. I am posting a cropped version and a larger version. In the larger version there are 9 galaxies that I can count Shot for 3 hours (60, 3 minute exposures) at 400 ISO with my D600 and Stellarvue SV80 Access  Bodes Nebula by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr Bodes Nebula Wide Field by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr
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Posted: 12/20/2018 9:19:41 PM EST
[#35]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
My wife and I wanted to hang some of our astrophotos, we were thinking of getting a sky chart and using thumb tacks with different colors, then using the corresponding color mat to frame the pics we take, but I think making these for the areas is cooler. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4913/46347097432_cacf20a925.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4854/32525930388_c3c6c82aae.jpghttps://farm5.staticflickr.com/4849/46347097532_69e45bb245.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4852/44581010470_5b87f35f0a.jpg |
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Posted: 12/21/2018 10:12:41 AM EST
[#36]
Quote HistoryQuoted: That's very cool! Do you have little colored/sharpie marks to show where in constellation top print is at, or is that the idea that got scrapped? It'd be great for visitors or idiots on the net. --ETA: Laser etch names of constellation on photo frame glass? Quote HistoryQuoted: That's very cool! Do you have little colored/sharpie marks to show where in constellation top print is at, or is that the idea that got scrapped? It'd be great for visitors or idiots on the net. --ETA: Laser etch names of constellation on photo frame glass? Quoted: Looks great! Did you lazer the star chart yourself? Quoted: Alrighty. Desire to know more intensifies. I am looking for art for my place and that looks right up my alley. |
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Posted: 12/26/2018 11:56:09 AM EST
[#37]
Wife got me a new telescope tube to compliment my new mount for Christmas. Now I just need to make so mounting hardware, as I can't achieve proper balance as is with the DSLR.
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Posted: 12/26/2018 12:03:00 PM EST
[#38]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Wife got me a new telescope tube to compliment my new mount for Christmas. Now I just need to make so mounting hardware, as I can't achieve proper balance as is with the DSLR. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/158414/48989553_2293778124189016_3907772167449739264_n_jpg-785992.JPG I need to either take apart and try to fix my mount or buy a new one, the blacklash has gotten horrible on it. |
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Posted: 12/26/2018 12:06:29 PM EST
[#39]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
That is sweet. How do you like that mount? I need to either take apart and try to fix my mount or buy a new one, the blacklash has gotten horrible on it. I have a lot to learn in regards to integration now, such as plate solving and guiding. |
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Posted: 12/26/2018 12:20:07 PM EST
[#40]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Only played with it (so to speak) indoors, came in on Monday, but seeing as how I couldn't regularly control my old mount (LXD-75) with my laptop and I can this one, I'm excited for the possibilities. I have a lot to learn in regards to integration now, such as plate solving and guiding. |
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Posted: 12/26/2018 12:34:19 PM EST
[#41]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Let me know if you need help. If you can swing it buy SGP, it makes life a lot easier. |
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Posted: 12/26/2018 12:38:40 PM EST
[#42]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I can and I've been heavily considering it, I've already downloaded the trial for it. Got any good tutorials you'd recommend for beginners and setting it up? |
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Posted: 12/26/2018 12:39:13 PM EST
[#43]
Since its always cloudy here maybe I'll post up a tutorial tonight with pics.
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Posted: 12/26/2018 2:40:39 PM EST
[#44]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Since its always cloudy here maybe I'll post up a tutorial tonight with pics.
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Posted: 12/26/2018 4:54:19 PM EST
[#45]
My folks bought me a guide scope and camera for Christmas!
I set it all up today, cleaned up the wiring and installed all the programs needed for guiding/imaging/planetarium. I have it all working through a USB3 hub, so I only need a singe USB3 cable going to my computer. The EQMOD Direct Cable I made myself with an FDTI chip I had laying around. Everything works great, I just have to learn about the guiding setup. Unfortunately, weather has rolled in, so I won't be able to try it under the stars for a while   Astrophotography Setup by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr
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Posted: 12/26/2018 8:09:56 PM EST
[#46]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
My folks bought me a guide scope and camera for Christmas! I set it all up today, cleaned up the wiring and installed all the programs needed for guiding/imaging/planetarium. I have it all working through a USB3 hub, so I only need a singe USB3 cable going to my computer. The EQMOD Direct Cable I made myself with an FDTI chip I had laying around. Everything works great, I just have to learn about the guiding setup. Unfortunately, weather has rolled in, so I won't be able to try it under the stars for a while https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4829/31537496777_c2cf523d7d_o.jpgAstrophotography Setup by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr |
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Posted: 12/26/2018 8:17:44 PM EST
[#47]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I'll try to grab a link in a minute but on youtube Chucks Astrophotography has a video on how he set up his SGP, its basic and you'll have to figure out certain numbers for yourself like your camera pixel size, focal length etc. He covers getting plate solving working and other things as well. The SGP website forum is very help and has a good group of users helping people. |
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Posted: 12/26/2018 8:18:30 PM EST
[#48]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
My folks bought me a guide scope and camera for Christmas! I set it all up today, cleaned up the wiring and installed all the programs needed for guiding/imaging/planetarium. I have it all working through a USB3 hub, so I only need a singe USB3 cable going to my computer. The EQMOD Direct Cable I made myself with an FDTI chip I had laying around. Everything works great, I just have to learn about the guiding setup. Unfortunately, weather has rolled in, so I won't be able to try it under the stars for a while https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4829/31537496777_c2cf523d7d_o.jpgAstrophotography Setup by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr 
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Posted: 12/28/2018 9:04:46 AM EST
[#49]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Have you actually changed any of the parameters in SGP for Plate Solve 2? It doesn't seem to save any of mine, to include Max Star Size, starting parameters FOV, etc. |
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Posted: 12/28/2018 1:15:48 PM EST
[#50]
I tend to go all in on hobbies, and I can already see that this one is going to be lasting. Because of that, I am going to build my own dome for the backyard. I was going to build a ROR, but then stumbled on some plans for building geodesic domes. I already have all the foam cutting tools since I was in the business of hot wire cutting wing cores for many years, so this seems right up my alley.
I am going by these plans: https://users.eoni.c...tzj/geodome.htm . I scaled them down to an 8' dome though. I'll also be fiberglassing the dome instead of using stucco. Today I'll be firing up the hotwire and cutting the triangles needed. A great thing about this type of dome is that it can be built on the cheap. I'm going to keep track of the expenses, but I think I can get away with building the whole observatory for under $1000.00. More posts, with pictures to follow after I get some cutting done! |
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