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First light tonight, and before I started I first flashed the firmware. It was 26E, got it up to the 43Ed firmware patched to 44dd (usual patch from LX90 groups).
I did not count on it taking so long to to the flash, I wish there was a way I could do this without the whole scope. I mean is there no way to just connect the Autostar to the PC and flash it.. I guess it needs to get power via the scope. Is there a standalone power up option..
Anyway this gave the Scope time to cool down a bit. Ther was some light cloud rolling and it covered the moon, still I could see the moon through it and it was stunning. I Aligned on Sirus and Beatlejuice and it placed the moon in the FOV (a little off center). But then I did a very rough level and north alignment. I did use the STargps Redirect utility to connect my bluetooth GPS via the laptop with the HC, and though it connected and started sending through information. I can not be sure it did anything as I could not find anything on the HC. Did a Goto to the Horsehead and it was way off. So went back to Sirus, which was on the Edge of the FOV, centred it. Quickly read the online manual to work out how to do a sync. Done. Now I did a quick star test, looked good to me but the outside two rings were a bit "furry" the inner rings were perfect and concentric. This was with 5x barlow in there, I noted that Sirus would not focus to a point but rather it focused to a small dot with concentric circles. I guess I just need to focus better.
I went across to Procyon and noted it was very dull, so I check the mirror and it was getting a little foggy. Used my red light torch and I saw a bit of fog. And dust I had not noticed before. I decided to call it for the time being, a bit scared off by the fogg on the corrector I guess. Got it back in and noticed it was still there, but by the time i grabbed the camera and took a few shots it was gone. Hmm and it has cleared up outside. Darn it.. Saturn's just coming up.
Goto is sweet, tracking is sweet. Left it on Sirus for 20mins and it tracked perfectly. Fog/Dew not sure what the heck happened, I went out at 8:30pm and was only out till about 10pm. I thought dew did not occur till later on in the night..
Here are some pics one to show the dust on the corrector ( i need a blower) is this normal?
Regards
Fahim
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