One step closer.. I almost got the telescope out!

iceman (Mike) · #1 21-01-2010, 07:04 AM

I was sooooo close to getting the telescope out last night.

I was standing outside, looking up at the crystal clear dusk sky, trying to convince myself to start setting up.

Then I realised it's been so long that I don't have the required software on my laptop.

I needed to install IC Capture software on my MacBook for planetary imaging, and I needed to install the Canon 40D drivers and software on my old Dell laptop so I could use it for deep space imaging.

So I did those things instead.

Tonight - I may actually get the telescope out! Maybe I'll even get my first Mars image for the season, even though the season if half over already!

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #2 21-01-2010, 07:07 AM

A similar night for me too Mike. I haven't had the imaging rig out for weeks. I just lost interest for a while and couldn't be bothered with the whole lugging outside/setting up/drifting/focus/yada yada. Sometimes it justs gets in the way of living.

I stood outside with my Puggies last night and thought "wow - what a great sky", and the temperature was beautifully crisp without being at all cold. I went back inside and thought that might be the last decent sky for weeks. LOL!

sheeny (Al) · #3 21-01-2010, 07:19 AM

My name is Al, and its been 1.5 days since my last astro session... prior to that it was waaayyyy too long...

I would've been out last night too, except the wind dropped enough for me to start spraying (Patersons curse!

) so I did that till dark and had dinner and a bit of Wii fit before bed

.

We have a friend coming to stay with us this arvo while he does a local shearing job, so not sure if I'll get out again tonight

...probably not...

The nights lately have been beautiful and clear!

Al.

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #4 21-01-2010, 07:44 AM

It's been beautifully clear up here too.
After a brief perusal of the sky last night, I went back inside and continued watching Spinal Tap.
I didn't want to set up, only to be foiled, yet again, in the drift align process by intermittent conflicts between the LPI and K3.

Lismore Bloke (Paul) · #5 21-01-2010, 07:50 AM

Boys and girls, when the lappie, software, power supplies, drivers and cables get too much, buy a 10" dob.

Drop it in the back yard with a wide field EP and just enjoy. Alternatively, a pair of binos and an easy chair.

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #6 21-01-2010, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lismore Bloke

Boys and girls, when the lappie, software, power supplies, drivers and cables get too much, buy a 10" dob.

Drop it in the back yard with a wide field EP and just enjoy. Alternatively, a pair of binos and an easy chair.

It's funny you should say this, because in my case I'm really not into visual astronomy. "One fuzzy patch - seen them all" kind of thing. I enjoy the technical aspects associated with the photography and gear side of the hobby. Each to their own - it's a very diverse hobby, that's for sure.

Lismore Bloke (Paul) · #7 21-01-2010, 08:10 AM

You're certainly right there Chris. The most important aspect is to remember that it is a hobby and should be enjoyable. If it starts to become a trial to set up, then perhaps changes are needed. For imagers, an observatory, however simple, should really be a priority. Everything is set up, polar aligned and protected, ready to go. I don't know how imagers drag out all that gear out and set up every time they want to run some exposures.

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #8 21-01-2010, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lismore Bloke

I don't know how imagers drag out all that gear out and set up every time they want to run some exposures.

You got in one Paul. An obs is the only long-term solution. It's a choice I guess one needs to make if they wish to continue past the initial stages.

I do wish that I'd had the time to construct my 12" bino's though - they are a treat to look through. One day!

iceman (Mike) · #9 21-01-2010, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omaroo

A similar night for me too Mike. I haven't had the imaging rig out for weeks. I just lost interest for a while and couldn't be bothered with the whole lugging outside/setting up/drifting/focus/yada yada. Sometimes it justs gets in the way of living.

Exactly. But for me, it's been about 4 months!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lismore Bloke

You're certainly right there Chris. The most important aspect is to remember that it is a hobby and should be enjoyable. If it starts to become a trial to set up, then perhaps changes are needed. For imagers, an observatory, however simple, should really be a priority. Everything is set up, polar aligned and protected, ready to go. I don't know how imagers drag out all that gear out and set up every time they want to run some exposures.

An observatory and permanent setup would definitely help!

Unfortunately it's just not going to happen any time soon.

I'll be trying to keep myself motivated throughout the day to set the scope up at dusk tonight. It's going to be a hot day so have to wait until it cools down a bit

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #10 21-01-2010, 08:25 AM

I'll have my new camera in a couple of weeks Mike - and I guarantee that it will get me outside again.

Lismore Bloke (Paul) · #11 21-01-2010, 08:48 AM

An observatory need not be elaborate and expensive. The well known visual observer, glenc lives not far away from me. He uses a zincalume 3mx3m garden shed. The walls are cross braced for strength. A steel fabricator can make up some rails for the roof to run off. These sheds are cheap as chips and sometimes can be picked up for nothing when someone needs to dispose of one.

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #12 21-01-2010, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lismore Bloke

An observatory need not be elaborate and expensive. The well known visual observer, glenc lives not far away from me. He uses a zincalume 3mx3m garden shed. The walls are cross braced for strength. A steel fabricator can make up some rails for the roof to run off. These sheds are cheap as chips and sometimes can be picked up for nothing when someone needs to dispose of one.

I guess that the problem with the lightweight garden shed units Paul is security. With tens of thousands-worth of gear (high-end mount, 3 x Takahashis, SBIG cameras and computers) kept inside (otherwise - what's the point?) it must be a very solid unit that discourages (as best it can) break-ins. A garden shed in my area screams "I've got stuff inside worth jumping the fence for!". Also, roll-offs tend to just let all the dust in the neighbourhood in as their roof seal is inherently poor by design. You can rubberise the edges and seal them to an extent, but your scopes still end up really dusty after a good wind.

Solution - buy land way out of the city and put up a solid steel 4m dome!

I plan to eventually build mine on my place near Cooma. Only problem is that it's 4.5 hours away each time I want to go... Oh, it's all very difficult and Catch-22-ish. LOL!

Octane (Humayun) · #13 21-01-2010, 09:15 AM

It's OK, Chris, I'll look after it for you. :whistles:

H

theodog (Jeff) · #14 21-01-2010, 09:17 AM

I know where you guys are coming from. I hadn't used the set-up for months, even though it's in an obs, in the bush and beside my house. I haven't done any eyeball stuff for years, except for the odd session with my students.

That changed with the trip to Dunnedoo. Interaction with fellow amateures under dark skies with some new objects led me back home and into the obs. Started with a short M42 -crap, but will do better tonight.

The interest is back.

You need a new astro mini project.

Benno85 (Ben) · #15 21-01-2010, 09:18 AM

I was setup by 3pm yesterday ready for some unguided imaging of M42. Kids and wife we're all asleep by 11pm, had the mount reasonably well aligned for 2min exposures with stars landing bang in the middle of a 9mm plossl....

....Put on the Bahtinov mask and attach the Canon to the ED80, only to find that the extension tube is too long and I couldn't reach foucs and then remember that my lower profile adaptor is on the 8" Newt at a mate's place 60km away!!!!

I was sooooooooo looking forward to actually collecting some data last night, only to be pipped at the post by our mate Murphy.

As a consolation, M42 was brilliant in a 20mm, and 47 Tuc was stunning.

I'll get this imaging thing sorted one day......

multiweb (Marc) · #16 21-01-2010, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omaroo

Solution - buy land way out of the city and put up a solid steel 4m dome!

I plan to eventually build mine on my place near Cooma. Only problem is that it's 4.5 hours away each time I want to go... Oh, it's all very difficult and Catch-22-ish. LOL!

I'm surprised you don't already have a remote observatory there. Makes sense. If i had a block that big that far from LP I'd be imaging my *** off over the internet already

Got power/solar anything there?

h0ughy (David) · #17 21-01-2010, 09:44 AM

i havent imaged in months - lostock

DavidU (Dave) · #18 21-01-2010, 10:31 AM

Last night I looked up at the clear sky, so I set up the 12" and within 10 minutes it was raining.
I miss my 150mm refractor for quick set up's, it was smashed on the concrete floor.

TrevorW · #19 21-01-2010, 10:49 AM

Well me and my mate Mark are working on a project to adapt the EQ6 to a 1" counterweight shaft with a new collar.

Been cloudy and hot in Perth all week so far.

He's got the lathe and I've got the inspiration (great to have a mate with a lathe who's' also an astro geek)

My wife and daughters call us Geek mates (how charming) I'm off too day to buy a metre length of 1" stainless steel rod (only need 1/2 a metre but they won't sell it to me that way so I'll give the other half to Mark)

I have 3 counterweights (use two presently) so we will bore out one of those to fit the new shaft)

Lismore Bloke (Paul) · #20 21-01-2010, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omaroo

I guess that the problem with the lightweight garden shed units Paul is security. With tens of thousands-worth of gear (high-end mount, 3 x Takahashis, SBIG cameras and computers) kept inside (otherwise - what's the point?) it must be a very solid unit that discourages (as best it can) break-ins. A garden shed in my area screams "I've got stuff inside worth jumping the fence for!". Also, roll-offs tend to just let all the dust in the neighbourhood in as their roof seal is inherently poor by design. You can rubberise the edges and seal them to an extent, but your scopes still end up really dusty after a good wind.

Solution - buy land way out of the city and put up a solid steel 4m dome!

I plan to eventually build mine on my place near Cooma. Only problem is that it's 4.5 hours away each time I want to go... Oh, it's all very difficult and Catch-22-ish. LOL!

I take your point Chris. Taks are a very desirable item and need to be secured. It's interesting though that Eddie Trimarchi apparently still has his gear in a tin shed in his yard. Tin sheds in town are everywhere, but a shed in the bush is more of a target - stealable items inside.