The joy of remote control - session 1

[g__day]

Well tonight I'd thought I'd try to do some remote astrophotography. Given my focus seems reasonably good, tracking is stable, auto-guiding is getting better and the weather is getting colder, I thought here we go.

So whilst the scope and astrolab PC are busy snapping a 240 secs shot of M80, I'm sitting about 50 metres away upstairs and inisde watching progress where its nice and warm!

For remote control stage 1 I'm using Windows XP remote assistance, to control a dual screen PC in my astro lab. The lab's dome roof isn't automated, so there is still manual labour - but geeze I'm having fun!

The Astro lab has running Cartes Du Ceil + Celestron ASCOM drivers, PHD 1.5, JMI PC focus, DSLR Shutter, Canon Zoom Browser and Canon EOS Utility. I can see and control everything I need to right here as I type this.

My only bug bear is the screen has some streaks on it (so the signal may be going across the internet rather than my lan and getting a bit degraded).

So Just now I've slewed to M8, done a 60 second exposure, downloaded it from Camera to the astro lab PC on a shared drive, opened the RAW file on the PC here in CS Photoshop and done some processing , changed the guide interval and duration on PHD and DSLR shutter - and away I go again!

Anyone else played with this? This is fun and luxury!

Next I'm likely to try VNC and see how it stakes up!

PS

Oops - meant to put this in software sorry - thought there are obivious software and alot of equipment involved in all this!

Low quality jpg of this running from what I see inside where its warm:

[ballaratdragons]

I would worry about never going out to the obs. Every now and then I go out to check my camera and focuser cables aren't snagged on anything.

Then I rush back into my control room and stick my feet back at the heater :lol:

[g__day]

I'm not thinking about a never - very far from it. But if I can set the dome window to a quadrant of the sky I'm interested in, it would be great if I could do a 1-3 hour run with no or only very few visits to the lab on very cold night!

[ballaratdragons]

Yep, that's how I do it.
If the scope has to change locations by a fair way, that's when I go out to check. For minor movements I don't bother. If I'm lucky enough to be imaging in the same area of sky all night I don't go out at all :thumbsup:

Only takes me about 1 minute out in the cold to pack the obs up :)

The less I move from my heater, the better :lol:

[Dennis]

Sounds like you guys are having fun! I lack perhaps the most important pre-requisite, an observatory. :(

Cheers

Dennis

[duncan]

I'm with you Dennis. But one day when i win Lotto i'll set myself up with what i really want,hehe!
Cheers,
Duncan.

Ps. It's only on these cold nights i envy you guys.:thumbsup:

[Terry B]

What is a cold night in Far N Qld?:rofl:

[duncan]

It has been known to drop to -6c up here on the tablelands. About 2200ft above sea level. I guess an average low temp for winter would be 8c. Trouble is it is usually windy and damp with it.
I need an OBS.
Cheers:lol:

[JohnH]

Observatory is not required - just a laptop with XP Pro and a destop or second in the house - I do this with my setup so kids/visitors do not have to stand in the cold to get a view...for imaging I do not use it thoughh - once the run is underway I am inside anyway until meridian flip or target change is required.

[rogerg]

I've played around with remote & automated. Back when my telescope was actually working (insert violin playing some sad music) most of my astronomy for the last year or so was done remotely or while I slept (same deal).

It's certainly nice being able to be inside where it's warm, where the tv is, where my partner is and to do things like the cooking.

I did have to spend a while setting it all up, getting the auto-focusing callibrated, the autoguider calibrated, the polar alignment spot on, the software all talking to each other, etc. But it was worth it in the end.

Hopefully it won't be long before I'm back to it.

I didn't have to automate the roof because it's a roll-off, and I used MS Remote Desktop for mine. I did make sure that if I were leaving it running I left it logged on, on the actual observatory computer, not "logged off in limbo" if you know what I mean. That sometimes caused problems if I left it all running in the background without an actual login active on the PC (either remote or local).

Oh, and I used wireless to my laptop, so I can have the laptop where ever - kitchen & couch were the usual locations.

It doesn't cost a lot if it's what you want to do, but I don't spend money one eyepieces and other stuff.

Roger.

[xelasnave]

I am getting there but it is a lot of work to get it "easy"... but even having the shed close by with gear and lap top is great..one more long lead and I can sit inside with the door closed and look at at $100 moniter showing the scope is tangle free. That set up is cheaper than a window...and windows loss heat bad...maybe a hot water pipe under the floor from the fire even.
I dont want another winter freezing.
alex

[g__day]

Roger,et al,

For me this is a learning platform where like most folk I'll upgrade my gear over time. The astrolab is home made - probably cost $1,200 all up for a 2.5 metre square lockable lab with another $600 for a home made heavy duty permanent pier. This is designed to last and be comfortable. Most folk with a home have a shed, I just wanted mine to support astronomy!

I always wanted to have the option to image indoor when the weather gets chilly, and not be chained the to scope when the kids want parent time. I figured if I'm in doors I can jump on the pc for 5-10 minutes, get things going and show them how its done, then be around to play with them.

So if on nights of decent viewing I get 3-5 decent shots between after I get home from work and before the kids go to bed, I'm ahead of the power curve. To do this should only take 5-10 minutes outside to power on and set-up, then 3 - 4 lots of 3-6 minutes inside to run the tasking of shots. SO in half an hour over a 3.5 hour window of 1 night in 5 on average I get shots going and they still have an active partiticapive dad.

Too I hope they get interest in how to run it all, and this gets them further hooked into astronomy.

* * *

Mind you I'm getting closer and closer to the point where I see a much better mount than the CG-5 will raise what I can do significantly higher.

[ballaratdragons]

Apart from my Cubby-house roll-off roof Observatory (seen here) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcQ-ma_WN6w)
my control room is only a few metres away in the Sunroom. I don't have far to walk to check the scope. I can see it out the window when the Moon is out. Otherwise it's too dark to see.

1. Control room with Obs seen out the window
2. Control room at night (with flash)
3. Control room in action (on Carina Neb)

[montewilson]

I'm a big fan of remote set-ups too. I have one I am using right now. It is out in the garden and I am inside, while it does an Automap.

I use it up in the country too at Wiruna ASNSW. I use it to control the imaging while I relax in the house and enjoy the fire/wine/conversation!

There are a few images here: http://astronomy.proem.com.au

There are no STL images on the site yet but some STV shots and plenty about my remote solution.