GRAS for Dummies

[jjjnettie]

Wes (zubenal) and I have a few hours of GRAS time that needs to be used by the end of this month.
I was hoping that someone out there on the forum could give me a simple explanation of the process.
Where do we start?
cheers

[adman]

I would be able to give you a very simple straight-forward explanation - were it not for one tiny inconvenient problem......

I have no idea what GRAS means :lol:

[Hagar]

JJJ it might be worth sending a PM to Fred (Bassnut) as he owns and operates a GRAS scope.

[jjjnettie]

GRAS = Global Rent A Scope :)
We had both won a couple of hours of scope time at QLD Astrofest you see. And what with one thing or another, we never gotten around to using it.

[adman]

ahhh - all makes sense now.

[seeker372011]

dont think Fred is involved with GRAS anymore..I wish I could help, I once made use of a free offer made here in IIS and took 30 minutes of images..but cant remember much. seemed pretty straightforward at the time though

why not send Brad Moore an email?

[OzRob]

GRAS uses the ACP observatory control software. It has been a while since I used them but pretty much you enter your target and the number and length you want to take with each filter plus the binning. If want to use one of the OSC cameras it is even easier. You should select to focus at the start of your run. If you would like to practice maybe register for the demo that DC-3 Dreams has online. You can register here (http://shareyoursky.com/demo-signup.asp).

A couple of things to watch out for is that the sky is clear and that a flip will not be required during the run. The scopes will take an image even if the roof is closed. A pier flip during the run will cost you points.

[jjjnettie]

Cheers Rob, that's exactly what I wanted to hear.:)

[ozstronomer]

JJJ I was only looking at their site yesterday, must try it out sometime.

I don't know if you've seen their introduction video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Um_YKprUKgE


Look forward to seeing some of the images you capture.

Geoff

[renormalised]

Used them a couple of times...quite good, actually. Would like to have more money to spend on there, though. Oh well:)

[RobF]

Will be very interested to hear how it works out Jeannette! :)

[Zubenel]

I have check and is says I have an account balance of 50. I haven't spent enough time trolling the site to know how long that would be and if it varies with each scope.???The G3 ( one shot colour , Easy??)in New Mexico bonked out when I when to use it tonight. I'm thinking something like NGC 6559 ?? G3 is Now under maintenance??

[Aussie Pete]

Hi Jeannette,

Well I just found this post so my apologies, hopefully you have already made your way. But to help you out i suggest you check out this link:

Pay a Visit to the (very new) FAQ page here: GRAS FAQ
(http://global-rent-a-scope.squarespace.com/gras-faq/)
This URL will change in the next few days by the way. The new site is still in the workshop.

And Jeannette, shoot off an email to me at Pete@GRAS (support@global-rent-a-scope.com) and I will send you some free telescope credits. That offer goes for ALL signed up IIS-GRAS users by the way :P

And yes, at times the telescopes do undergo maintenance online. We check focus, guiding and systems at the slightest hint of gremlins.

Actually users can't normally use a scope whilst the roof is closed. If you log in while its closing or during times when bad weather rolls in, you may miss the "system offine" message however. In that case we are always happy to refund fully.

Pete

[Zubenel]

Unfortunately I probably lacked the time and inclination to use the network of scopes. The few times I did try to have a go after picking one that was free ( Most scopes were either weather affected or in use) it , for unknown reasons became unavailable. For now I'll stick with my Dob and enjoy the universe visually. Still a worthy pursuit.
Cheers
Zubebel