It all went wrong

[leon]

Hi All,

I suppose everyone has theses types of imaging runs where it all just comes unstuck.

The night was crystal clear, started the imaging sequence, two shots in PHD tells me it cant get a signal, look into the heavens, looks fine to me.

Anyway lost the guide star, start again, did it again, Ah I said to myself there is some very high thin stuff up there, could just make it out.

Ok, wait for some time, by this time the object that I was on was to low, try for M83, yep, that's looks fine, start it all up again, you wouldn't believe it two shots in, no signal again, lost that guide star as well, but this time it was clear, but much cooler, you guessed it, even with the dew heaters on 4 degrees, I still got fogged out, first time for that one

Buy this time I'm peed off, closed it down with some choice thoughts, and went to bed, stuff it I said

Just thought I would share that with you, so as you can expect, nothing for that night

Leon

[iceman (Mike)]

Well I chose last night as the night to get some sleep (all these clear nights are killing me), and then Scott turns around and says it was a 1 in 100 night of transparency!

[Ric]

Some nights are just not meant to be.

Hope you have a better run tonight if your heading out.

Cheers

[Screwdriverone (Chris)]

Originally Posted by iceman

Well I chose last night as the night to get some sleep (all these clear nights are killing me), and then Scott turns around and says it was a 1 in 100 night of transparency!

I haven' seen 100 nights yet but I have to admit, based on what I have seen, it was clearer than I have ever seen.

Still doesnt mean I can get a decent Jupiter shot with the crap that I have, but at least I am having fun doing it.

Maybe you should clone yourself like Michael Keaton? Just dont let Mike2 near the wife....

Chris

[RB (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by leon

Just thought I would share that with you, so as you can expect, nothing for that night

Leon

I had one of those nights on Tuesday night, I should have realised it was going to be a fizzer when things started to dew up as I was setting up.

Very frustrating.

[JohnH]

If it makes you feel any better I chose last night to try out updated software for a new guide/imaging system I have on evaluation from OpticStar in the UK. This one:

http://www.opticstar.com/Run/Astronomy/Astro-Imagers-Opticstar.asp?s=d8e147f-3f81-4235-80a3-d39ad7c2591b&p=0_10_0_50_200

and

http://www.opticstar.com/Run/Astronomy/Astro-Imagers-Opticstar.asp?s=d8e147f-3f81-4235-80a3-d39ad7c2591b&p=0_10_0_50_70

Now I have used this gear previously but the software was unstable and the camera seemed to be in need of an IR cut filter as it gave bloated stars, also my old laptop's (IBM t40) USB system got fried (a common problem apparently when used with high current usb devices but one that requires a m'board swap to fix - out of warranty - natch), then I was busy, Christmas came then the clouds (Sydney) etc...so when it was finally clear again I wanted to image not test gear.

So first I thought to try fitting the newly supplied IR cut filter - but as it is a standard 1.25 thread it will not screw onto the camera - only into the 1.25 nosepiece, as I wanted to use the M42 connector I had to revert to changing the internal window again. Did that, found out it does not pass Ha, switched back to plain glass again and accepted I have to use the 1.25" connection.

Next I re-installed AA4 and the updated drivers - that went ok but when I went to install the camera driver I got an error message I could not work around.

"Setup unable to complete as the wizard was unable to find the required software" say Mr Gates. Thanks alot.

As a workaround I tried right clicking the .inf file and selecting INSTALL but that did work either. I did notice that when the camera is plugged in it is deteted correctly but the description displayed does not match the device name in the .inf file.

Oh well.

Tried on my old laptop with old drivers and a PCMCIA USB2 card (remember my main ports were fried)....it works but has the old problems of freezing up. Updated the software - it installs ok but connection to the camera fails. Grr.

OK maybe the 130 will work - well not on the old laptop it doesn't. It is now 00:30 am and I am ratty.

Last gasp install 130 on my newer T60 - success it works but only as a webcam at the moment.

[leon]

This makes me feel much better, thank you guys.

Leon