Last night, I was awarded with crystal clear skies after a very long week. What better way to unwind on a Friday night than to sit outside under the stars. Although something did not feel right, it was too good to be true.
I put the scope to cool a few hours before I planned to start imaging. By the time I set everything up it was now around 10pm. I aligned the scope and everything was coming along nicely.
Now was the time things started to get really weird... When I tried to start up the capture software for the DMK, an application error came up and the computer refused to start the program. I restarted the lappy but the same problem was still there. After a bit of troubleshooting, I reinstalled the capture software and everything was back to normal. This had set my back around 30-45 minutes and by the time now, the Moon had disappeared behind house.
Now that I had missed the chance to image the Moon, I decided to image Mars while waiting for Saturn to rise. After a few AVI's of Mars I pointed the scope to Saturn and everything seemed fine.....
Until.... the capture software decided it wanted to play some tricks on me. I centered Saturn on the chip, focused the scope and pressed the record button. The camera recorded around 2500 frames when it froze. I couldn’t do much but just stare at the laptop screen in despair.
When the frustration finally set in, I decided to pack up the equipment. As I was in the middle putting everything away. I remember looking up and the whole sky was covered in a thick blanket of cloud.
What a weird night! I hope this never happens again.
Last night....,When I tried to start up the capture software for the DMK, an application error came up and the computer refused to start the program..... I restarted the lappy but the same problem.... I reinstalled the capture software and everything was back to normal.... Until.... the capture software decided it wanted to play some tricks on me...... I centered Saturn on the chip, focused the scope and pressed the record button. The camera recorded around 2500 frames when it froze. .
Its not a Toshiba Satellite A200 is it?
It may have dewed up inside the case?
Sounds pretty normal to me....
At least you got to wrestle with beast that is astro imaging.
When those sorts of things happen just remember that only a short time ago in history most folk had no access to a telescope or imaging gear.
Sounds pretty normal to me....
At least you got to wrestle with beast that is astro imaging.
When those sorts of things happen just remember that only a short time ago in history most folk had no access to a telescope or imaging gear.
alex
I agree Alex but when you have the clearest skies that you have ever seen since you started this hobby and your computer and camera decide to go on a vacation. It is a bit hard to not get FRUSTRATED!
I agree Alex but when you have the clearest skies that you have ever seen since you started this hobby and your computer and camera decide to go on a vacation. It is a bit hard to not get FRUSTRATED!
Yes but wait till you miss once in a hundred year events that will not reoccur in your life time .... just keep the axe handy.
The key is not to get frustrated ... I am saying this to you in an effort to remind myself.. I am about to start dismantling the eq6.... as soon as I can find the axe.
alex
I restarted the lappy but the same problem was still there. After a bit of troubleshooting, I reinstalled the capture software and everything was back to normal. This had set my back around 30-45 minutes and by the time now, the Moon had disappeared behind house. 
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