Nearly automated imaging while enjoying christmas dinner! :)

[bmitchell82]

well as the discription said i was controlling the eeepc with another computer wirelessly as to enjoy the company of my family whilst enjoying my hobby :)

details

40d, ed80
dsi2, finderguider

ISO 800, 6x10min, 6x2min, 6x30sec, 6x15sec
Processed in PS CS3, Stacked in DSS

http://s700.photobucket.com/albums/ww3/brendanmitchell1982/?action=view&current=RunningmanandM42.png

comments/criticism wanted

[tornado33]

Looks great, shows the faint background nebulosity well.
Scott

[troypiggo]

Well done! Glad someone is having clear skies.

[mithrandir]

What are "clear skies"?

[rogerg]

Nice nebulosity ... wasn't the moon around then?!? That was my one of my excuses for not doing any astronomy over Christmas anyhow :)

remote .. nice... what level of remote control have you achieved? focuser, mount, camera, guiding, the lot?

automation is the only way, for us non-retired astrophotographers IMO :thumbsup:

[TrevorW]

I'm interested in remote so I can control the mount, camera etc from inside the house at a distance of about 15 mtrs, I assume you're using bluetooth but the RS232 to bluetooth adapters I've seen are about $100 each and you'd need at least 2 but how do you go about setting the relevant ports do you need 2 bluetooth adapters on the PC end as well

[bmitchell82]

hehehe I utilize the 2 PC method. that is i go out set the mount up get it focused because i don't have a motor on my focuser at this point in time and soon as i can press a button to make it go backwards and forwards :) im set.

I utilize a wireless 11g connection between the PC's and a remote desktop viewer that i can sit inside and do what i want to and just keep a eye on guiding and what not. though DC3- Dream does a web based html controller that you can do the same thing with and make lists of objects for it to attack without coding bucket loads of yuk. it takes a few minutes of my time to get everything buzzing then i leave it to its own devices. Maxim dl 5 has the ability to stack imaging runs and save as CR2 files. so i just put in my 10 min iso 800 CR2 * 6, 2 min iso 800 CR2 * 6 ect ect. and hazzar :) simple easy no cost as 99% of people have a desktop at home and a laptop anyhow!

My level of remote control gives me guiding, mount, planetarium, camera control, only thing missing is focusing! now all i have to do is get one of my mates in the mechatronics dept to sort me out with a motor that has USB control.!

Yep the moon was around but set realitively early so the skies out at Madora bay are nice and dark and Ravenswood will be even darker yay LP filters will work well!

[TrevorW]

I've got my laptop outside and my PC inside all on a wireless network so as I read it, it's basically just controlling the laptop from your PC via remote desktop viewer (using say remote assistance in windows)

[bmitchell82]

Thats right, using 1 pc to control another. and now i have that under way, i can start using other programs to further automate the sequence, that is put in a list of targets to capture over the evening. have the program initialize the list that has the information of what i want it to capture,times, exposure type ect ect.

It starts the run, slews to the object, take a shot, plate solve adjust for any error, capture again, check, start guiding, capture sequence, repeate. :)

Go to bed wake up in the morning hope your telescope servived the night :)

[TrevorW]

May have to try this as I generally pack up by 1:00pm on weekends and before 12 during the working week

[rogerg]

Trevor, it's a good idea to have slew limits implemented on your mount, and if running from the mains use a UPS. Wacky stuff, as well as incorrect perception of current telescope status, does happen now and then and can cause physical damage to the scope :rolleyes:

[bmitchell82]

run it off your battery then you shouldn't be in too much trouble.

[TrevorW]

Good reason too use my new battery !!

[mill]

I use remote desktop as well and when i go to bed i just let the scope on and make pictures.
I dont have limits set and just let the scope guide into the legs.
The only thing you hear in the morning is a click now and then when the stepper motor clicks.
It doesn't damage anything as long as you dont slew at full speed into the legs :P
I have seen a program that will park the scope at a certain time that you set in the program, cant remember what it was called.

PS: a very nice picture Brendan with nice resolution and colors.

[rogerg]

Agree, battery might be fine for your situation.

If you start scripting stuff, it is still worth considering wacky scenarios that could damage the scope. It's not uncommon for windows errors, communication errors, telescope equipment errors, etc to cause something to go wrong which might leave your telescope in the position that it gets damaged - like continuing to track in RA beyond 0 degrees altitude because something's failed on the PC so the scope isn't told to do otherwise. So just think about it and put fail safe's in place :shrug:

[TrevorW]

Thanks Brendan tried Team Viewer and it worked so I'll have a go next imaging session

[Jeffkop]

I swear everytime I look at a photo of this neb I see something different. I'de be pretty chuffed if I had a result like this Brendan. :thumbsup:

[Hagar]

Nice one Brendan, I have been working remotely with VNC and a wireless connection out to the observatory for a couple of years now and it makes those cold winter nights (-5C) almost bareable.

Well done.

[Manav]

Well done Brendan! Great image and lots of data you collected there! :)

[bmitchell82]

thanks all for the comments, i was actuallly happy with the colours that came out considering its not from my dark sky site its from the back yard of my house :)

Hopefully i can get the 10" working well, im going to give it a go with the star collimnation to sort out my tilted focuser problem :) then i can take some nice Halpha shots