Ten Chain Hill New Moon nights - Page 14

Tandum (Robin) · #**261** 22-02-2010, 12:43 AM

Same here pete, jjj's cloud bank stayed up north and it's completely clear. It's so frustrating when you have to wait for a clear sky to continue tinkering and it takes weeks to clear. Skippy says more of the same tomorrow night but the boss has me booked elsewhere

What's wrong with the sbig?

pmrid (Peter) · #**262** 22-02-2010, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tandum

Same here pete, jjj's cloud bank stayed up north and it's completely clear. It's so frustrating when you have to wait for a clear sky to continue tinkering and it takes weeks to clear. Skippy says more of the same tomorrow night but the boss has me booked elsewhere

What's wrong with the sbig?

As it turns out, mostly it's in the guiding - or lack of it. The self-guiding looks good on paper but not so great in practice. No doubt someone more familiar with the SBIG way of doing things, and perhaps more familiar with MaximDL might be able to get it going properly but - and here's a confession - I can't and I don't have the patience to persevere with stuff that won't cooperate. Perhaps in winter when there's plenty of clear skies and I can get scope #1 happily imaging away, I might return to the SBIG. But for now, the RC can work with the Canon and I can get on with some imaging - but not tonight. I'm knackered.
Peter

Tandum (Robin) · #**263** 22-02-2010, 01:00 AM

Maxim wouldn't guide for me tonight either, it's been working fine till now, would not calibrate. I'm sure it's cables but for now, good ole phd is working like a champ

pmrid (Peter) · #**264** 22-02-2010, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjjnettie

Alex, I bought it a week or so ago.
I'm looking forward to imaging with it too.

Welcome to the RC club. Do we get to wear funny aprons and use secret handshakes?
Peter

pmrid (Peter) · #**265** 22-02-2010, 04:44 PM

Well blow me down! Skippy Sky says we're in for a good one. The inconvenience of 50% moon seems minor in return for some clear sky. If you log in to SkippSky (skippysky.com.au) there is a prize to anyone who can tell me what that phallic-shaped structure over SW Qld is about to do to us.
Peter

AlexN · #**266** 22-02-2010, 04:49 PM

Peter - The moon, whilst 90% of the time I see it as a major PITA, This month it is one of the prime targets for a first light of my new scope.... I hope to get clear skies over the full moon weekend this month, try my hand at a high-res lunar mosaic, and maybe even some planetary imaging.. Saturn is good this time of year..

adman (Adam) · #**267** 22-02-2010, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmrid

Well blow me down! Skippy Sky says we're in for a good one. The inconvenience of 50% moon seems minor in return for some clear sky. If you log in to SkippSky (skippysky.com.au) there is a prize to anyone who can tell me what that phallic-shaped structure over SW Qld is about to do to us.
Peter

Looks like its already done it over central NSW...

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #**268** 22-02-2010, 05:19 PM

I'll be out there tonight. This time with a real mount.
I need a good astro fix, it'll do me the world of good.
Good luck everyone.

AlexN · #**269** 22-02-2010, 05:41 PM

Alas... My new toy hath not arrived... High Res Moonage will have to wait..

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #**270** 22-02-2010, 05:57 PM

I'm ready to align the finder scope. Still a few clouds around.
But if it's clear enough for a drift align, I'll be happy to catch some practise subs. I need to hone my skills.

pmrid (Peter) · #**271** 22-02-2010, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexN

Alas... My new toy hath not arrived... High Res Moonage will have to wait..

.
I'd be interested to hear if anyone has had a crack at the Mosaic tool within ASCOM/EQMOD. Alex? Even without a Losmandy, you can still mosaic with the HEQ5Pro??
Peter.

AlexN · #**272** 22-02-2010, 06:23 PM

- Wrong new toy Peter... I'm waiting on an Intes Micro M703 7" F/10 Mak Cass... The HEQ5 with EQMOD/EQmosaic would be perfect for the job...

Can't do a high res lunar image with a 480mm focal length... When the Mak Arrives I should be able to start shooting at the moon/planets again..

RobF (Rob) · #**273** 22-02-2010, 08:13 PM

Of course the other possibility with the weather is that its just readjusting to get in sync with the moon. Once we get a week or so past full, the clouds will automatically disapate for a week either side of New Moon for the rest of the year.....

pmrid (Peter) · #**274** 22-02-2010, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobF

Of course the other possibility with the weather is that its just readjusting to get in sync with the moon. Once we get a week or so past full, the clouds will automatically disapate for a week either side of New Moon for the rest of the year.....

How do you feel about Santa and the Easter Bunny Rob?
Peter

AlexN · #**275** 22-02-2010, 10:20 PM

A man full of hopes and dreams is among us folks!

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #**276** 22-02-2010, 10:38 PM

and what are we without our hopes and dreams?

AlexN · #**277** 22-02-2010, 10:52 PM

Supernova Remnants...

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #**278** 22-02-2010, 11:03 PM

very poetic Alex

pmrid (Peter) · #**279** 22-02-2010, 11:43 PM

I hope you're all productively occupied. I'm having a crack at the Antennae - inspired by Robin's effort the other day. Dodging clouds and condensation - misty morning coming up methinks.
Peter

AlexN · #**280** 22-02-2010, 11:47 PM

The Antennae is definitely a tough target... I did them with the ST10 + RC combo back in the day... came out ok, but needed heaps more than exposure than I was giving it... Looking forward to your results..