Go Back   IceInSpace > Equipment > Software and Computers
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts Search

Reply
 
Thread Tools Rate Thread
  #1  
Old 18-04-2008, 11:41 AM
RB's Avatar
RB (Andrew)
Moderator

RB is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 26,622
Star Targ 2.0

Just wanted to share with everyone a cool piece of software called Star Targ 2.0, which many of you would have already heard about.
http://www.andysshotglass.com/StarTarg.html

This little app projects a reticle on top of your screen and allows you to drift align using a web cam.
You simply get your star in focus and place the star targ reticle right on top of the web cam screen and proceed with your drift alignment as usual.
No more sore neck/back.

I've wanted to order it for ages and now that I'm getting autoguiding underway, I took the plunge.

It's a great idea, can't wait to try it out.

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 18-04-2008, 11:45 AM
h0ughy's Avatar
h0ughy (David)
Moderator

h0ughy is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: NEWCASTLE NSW Australia
Posts: 33,425
i have his startarg 1 - its pretty good nmust look at v2
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 18-04-2008, 12:08 PM
iceman's Avatar
iceman (Mike)
Sir Post a Lot!

iceman is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Gosford, NSW, Australia
Posts: 36,799
I just use Al's on-screen reticle with IC-Capture.

but StarTarg does look cool.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 18-04-2008, 03:10 PM
allan gould's Avatar
allan gould
Registered User

allan gould is offline
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 4,485
Quote:
Originally Posted by iceman View Post
I just use Al's on-screen reticle with IC-Capture.

but StarTarg does look cool.
I manually star drift and then use the above for final touch up. Works well
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 18-04-2008, 03:13 PM
[1ponders]'s Avatar
[1ponders] (Paul)
Retired, damn no pension

[1ponders] is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Obi Obi, Qld
Posts: 18,778
K3 imitators
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 18-04-2008, 03:36 PM
allan gould's Avatar
allan gould
Registered User

allan gould is offline
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 4,485
Quote:
Originally Posted by [1ponders] View Post
K3 imitators
OK, Paul see you at Astrofest (Losmandy alley)and lets see how long it takes you to drift align etc.
PS Thanks for the advice and - Acropolite thanks for the cable from last year.
Allan
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 18-04-2008, 04:08 PM
netwolf's Avatar
netwolf
Registered User

netwolf is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,949
I wonder if something similar could be done to make a polar scope template appear.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 18-04-2008, 05:21 PM
h0ughy's Avatar
h0ughy (David)
Moderator

h0ughy is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: NEWCASTLE NSW Australia
Posts: 33,425
Quote:
Originally Posted by netwolf View Post
I wonder if something similar could be done to make a polar scope template appear.
??????????????????why?:shrug :
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 18-04-2008, 10:48 PM
netwolf's Avatar
netwolf
Registered User

netwolf is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,949
Houghy, the idea would be to replace the eyepiece of a polar scope with a camera and do the visual alignment using a polar alignment template on the screen.

Regards
Fahim
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 19-04-2008, 12:13 AM
h0ughy's Avatar
h0ughy (David)
Moderator

h0ughy is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: NEWCASTLE NSW Australia
Posts: 33,425
Quote:
Originally Posted by netwolf View Post
Houghy, the idea would be to replace the eyepiece of a polar scope with a camera and do the visual alignment using a polar alignment template on the screen.

Regards
Fahim
sound a good idea - but the camera field of view and focus will be vastle different?
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 19-04-2008, 01:42 AM
Zuts
Registered User

Zuts is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: sydney
Posts: 1,836
Quote:
Originally Posted by netwolf View Post
Houghy, the idea would be to replace the eyepiece of a polar scope with a camera and do the visual alignment using a polar alignment template on the screen.

Regards
Fahim

Hmm, I've always wondered why you cant simply do a rough align, then tell your scope to GOTO sigma octans (or any star) and then adjust via camera from your imaging scope on your lappie the dec/ra knobs on the mount until it is centered.

Admittedly I have had a few, but wouldnt you then be polar aligned?

Paul
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 19-04-2008, 07:46 AM
Dennis
Dazzled by the Cosmos.

Dennis is offline
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 11,811
The Vixen Skysensor 2000 does this, sort of.

You set the mode to “Equatorial, Non-polar aligned” and then do a 3 star align so the SS2K does its internal mapping and works out where it is pointing to. Then you GoTo a 4th star which should be centred in your illuminated cross hairs.

Then, you change the mode to “Equatorial, Polar aligned” and do another GoTo to that same 4th star and the mount will slew a small distance based on the offset from the SCP.

Tweak the Alt and Az mount alignment knobs to re-centre the 4th star and you are now polar aligned.

Cheers

Dennis
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +10. The time is now 08:11 PM.

Powered by vBulletin Version 3.8.7 | Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Advertisement
Bintel
Advertisement