Sands through the Hourglass - Terroux Observatory - First Light

[alpal]

Mike,

Besides all the extras I would need to make this setup remote capable is way out of my budget at this stage.

I often wondered about remotely operating a Newt?

Apart from the obvious cable tangle problems you'd
also need an electric focuser & a frame rotator to
put the target the way you want in the frame.
Operating PHD guiding would be difficult - you'd need a computer on site
that you could remotely operate.
I am sure there are a dozen more things I haven't thought of.

I will have to check it out one day as the weather in Melbourne
is so bad that my hobby is coming to an end here.

cheers
Allan

[LewisM]

I knew it!

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by alpal

Mike,
I often wondered about remotely operating a Newt?

Apart from the obvious cable tangle problems you'd
also need an electric focuser & a frame rotator to
put the target the way you want in the frame.
Operating PHD guiding would be difficult - you'd need a computer on site
that you could remotely operate.
I am sure there are a dozen more things I haven't thought of.

I will have to check it out one day as the weather in Melbourne
is so bad that my hobby is coming to an end here.

cheers
Allan

Well I have the FLI Atlas digital focuser and I don't usually worry about rotating the camera.

My plan is to at least be able to control the dome lappie with another lappie in the shed/control room via direct network/remote desk top, then all I will have to do is wonder out every 30-45min depending on sky position to rotate the dome a little...yeah, not perfect but oh well, better than nuttin huh?

Originally Posted by LewisM

I knew it!

.........

Looks like a Dalek

[dvj (John)]

Originally Posted by alpal

Mike,
I often wondered about remotely operating a Newt?

Apart from the obvious cable tangle problems you'd
also need an electric focuser & a frame rotator to
put the target the way you want in the frame.
Operating PHD guiding would be difficult - you'd need a computer on site
that you could remotely operate.
I am sure there are a dozen more things I haven't thought of.

I will have to check it out one day as the weather in Melbourne
is so bad that my hobby is coming to an end here.

cheers
Allan

Remote is nice, but autonomous operation is nearly impossible. Something will break requiring service. Observatory roof won't open, power outage, equipment failures in general. PC motherboard failed. FLI Atlas failed. FLI Proline 16803 dies. Mount power supply fried.

Bush Fire required evacuation.

More recently, the receiver in the satellite dish died. So now I have no connection at all.

[Ross G]

A great looking closeup photo Mike.
Very nice detail and sharp.

An observatory and a "comfort" room.........you are getting soft!

Good luck with the setup and I'm looking forward to some amazing photos.

Ross.

[Shiraz (Ray)]

Congrats on getting there. It must have been a nice feeling to put it all together, gingerly test everything and then realise that it's finally complete - you can get back to taking images of galaxies.

[Phil Hart]

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

We were...but the call of the civilised city life was too strong for Angie in the end and I am now at our neighbours in that photo (in the distance top right) so in the end it was win - win

MIke

Thanks to dvj for teasing out the explanation that was confusing me too. Great to see the setup Mike.

Phil

[alpal]

Mike,

Well I have the FLI Atlas digital focuser and I don't usually worry about rotating the camera.

My plan is to at least be able to control the dome lappie with another lappie in the shed/control room via direct network/remote desk top, then all I will have to do is wonder out every 30-45min depending on sky position to rotate the dome a little...yeah, not perfect but oh well, better than nuttin huh?

You're doing well Mike & you have a powerful system.
I look forward to all your results.

cheers
Allan

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by dvj

Remote is nice, but autonomous operation is nearly impossible. Something will break requiring service. Observatory roof won't open, power outage, equipment failures in general. PC motherboard failed. FLI Atlas failed. FLI Proline 16803 dies. Mount power supply fried.

Bush Fire required evacuation.

More recently, the receiver in the satellite dish died. So now I have no connection at all.

Yes some would say that remote is the only panacea but it has it's risks, issues and associated expenses in setup and maintenance

Originally Posted by Ross G

A great looking closeup photo Mike.
Very nice detail and sharp.

An observatory and a "comfort" room.........you are getting soft!

Good luck with the setup and I'm looking forward to some amazing photos.

Ross.

Cheers Rossco, yeah call me soft, I can take it

Originally Posted by Shiraz

Congrats on getting there. It must have been a nice feeling to put it all together, gingerly test everything and then realise that it's finally complete - you can get back to taking images of galaxies.

Sure was and sure will Ray, your recent galaxy images have really inspired me actually, thankyou

Originally Posted by philiphart

Thanks to dvj for teasing out the explanation that was confusing me too. Great to see the setup Mike.

Phil

Yes Phil, I have certainly had my fair share of moves in recent years huh?

Originally Posted by alpal

Mike,

You're doing well Mike & you have a powerful system.
I look forward to all your results.

cheers
Allan

Yeah I'm happy enough and the whole project came in nicely under budget too, so I even had enough left over to FINALLY buy myself a good visual scope - I grabbed a 12" GOTO Skywatcher flex tube dob from Steve Massey at Astro Shop so now I have something to do while I am out there imaging and can actually show people stuff when they visit, not to mention also finally having something easily transportable to take to SPSP

Mike