Eta

[Tandum]

This is first light from starshed obs. Just a shakedown to make sure everything is installed tracking and working properly. Green focus is a bit soft in this image and I think that is due to distances to the reducer on the fs60 still being out by a flypoop. I really should get that robofocus I bought 4 months ago installed on a scope :P

Just 6 each RGB binned X1 @ 300sec.
FS-60CB, QHY9, EQ6pro.

[RobF]

Nice going Robin
Why don't you send the Robofocus over here for shakeout trials - make sure it doesn't seize up in storage over there....?

[Tandum]

I'll get it going one day Rob. Remember it's been raining since september and I've been hanging off the end of a jigsaw for just as long :)

[gregbradley]

That looks quite nice. A great start.

Robofocus is very easy to install if you have the correct mounting bracket for your scope and if you have the correct brass shaft connector for the Tak. Then it only takes 5 minutes.

Greg.

[peter_4059]

Nice shot Robin. The colour looks good. When did you find the gap in the clouds?

[Tandum]

Greg, I got hold of a clutched coupler months ago but no bracket. I finally got around to making one today.

Was clear last night till around 1am pete. Both 7timer and skippy think it will be clear tonight as well. It sure don't look like it to me, the rain only just stopped here.

[atalas]

Nice Robin!

[allan gould]

Will take a while to shake down all the electronics and make sure the dome is working the way that you want it. Are you going to leave your equipment permanently installed?
Good first light anyway.
Allan

[gregbradley]

If you can make one then all power to you. Robofocus do make a specific mounting brakcet for the Tak. It is thicker than the usual one they send and its painted black. I still had to drill the whole wider for the attaching screws of the Tak focuser to fit though.

Greg.

[Tandum]

Cheers Louie, just a quicky.

Allan, it all seems to work pretty well, it's tracking well now, but I do get a few water drops at the doorway after rain so I might have to revisit the flashing around the door. I think the metal skin is catching water. I have a little awning hanging out above the door to stop this but it's obviously not good enough. I have the little FS60 and the Stellarview 60 guider in there on a SBS bar at the moment.

Greg, I got the bracket I made to fit pretty well on the FS60 but the motor I have is an old one and the drive shaft is thin and has a flat spot so it wouldn't fit the coupler :( I think the newer motors are just a round rod looking at on line pics. I got some tubing to go over the shaft and now it fits. Maxim can see it and drive it but I need to see some stars to check it out further. Maybe tonight.

[h0ughy]

well looks nice for the first light from the starshed - bit hard to tell at the size ;)

[Tandum]

Sorry Dave, here's a big one (http://www.starshed.net/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=61&fullsize=1). But it's a new one, this one is in focus :)

I did it again as I wanted to run the dome complete from left to right on target and test robofocus. I had dome trouble to the west. The SBS guider ended up pointing inside the dome towards the end of the run. So it's not as perfect as I thought :( I'll have to revisit the offset numbers I'm using in POTH.

This one is: 9x600sec L binned x1, 6x300sec RGB binned X2 plus lots of clouds and rain showers causing grief.

I think straight RGB binned x1 works best with this scope.

[Hagar]

Nice Robin although the colour of the new one is a bit harsh for my liking.

Dome motorisation. Bloody hard to get it just right. Geometry---- I failled that once, maybe twice. I know I have this time.