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Re: GPS on a German Equatorial Mount
Mark Squicquero
Just my 2 cents: Just as Roland stated, it's part of the "feature wars" and therefore is probably important for marketing. Most power users only use about 10-20% of the features of most software but look for all of the features when making buying decisions (humans are strange beings indeed). So I would say yes, include GPS in the feature set for purely competitive/marketing considerations and who knows, someone may discover a truely unique use for it and it will become the "killer ap" of mount features. As an aside, I'd like to see a wireless joystick (not a complete keypad) that could be used to jog the scope when looking through the eyepiece. I use The Sky often and the fine movement features are great but you have to look at the screen. I've been playing around with a game controller that has two joysitcks on it and a universal software interface so it can act as keyboard input to any program. The joystick is so easy to use without looking. I know the keypad
works the same way, but often you loose track of the buttons and have to look at it to re-orient. A small wireless joystick wouldn't have much power need and would allow you to do fine positioning while looking in the eyepiece and still have the keypad available if needed. I mentioned this idea to Tom Bisque and he was intrigued by it. Who knows, maybe a feature of The Sky 7! Mark
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Re: First images with AP1200 GTO
Wiggins, Rick
Hi,
These are classic dust motes that are nearly impossible to completely remove (that's why we take flats). The large ones are probably dust on the filters and the small ones are dust on the sensor window. You can actually do the calculations to determine how far away from the sensor that the dust is. That's how I can determine the difference between halos from filters and halos form sensor window reflections. Thanks, Rick --- In ap-gto@yahoogroups.com, "ayiomamitis" <ayiomami@...> wrote: we can rule out any possible particles on the CCD window which leaves(?) the filters themselves.big to be dust motes. I am wondering if the problem is at source during
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Re: First images with AP1200 GTO
Wiggins, Rick
Hi Anthony,
The focus has nothing to do with it. I use FocusMax automated with fine step settings on Robofocus and for the approx. 1200mm focal length, this is overkill. I focus at least once every hour. Everyone that I have talked to has this problem with the STL11k and Astrodons. I don't have much data on the other filters as I don't know many that have them. Maybe the other filters have the same problem. I would not expect to see the issue with clusters and in fact I don't get them when imaging clusters. Stars and star clusters have very high SNR and don't require nearly as much stretching as imaging fiant nebulas. The problem is worst when imaging faint objects with bright stars in the field (i.e. Rho Ophicius Nebula). Thanks, Rick --- In ap-gto@yahoogroups.com, "ayiomamitis" <ayiomami@...> wrote: I have never encountered such a problem not even once.affecting your focus point, thus giving you the false impression that theimagers severalthat have had this problem and it is regularly discussed on RGBimaging forums) that the blue and green filters cause halos in AstronDonimages. Many people believe that they are very bad in the comparison.filters. They definetly happen with the AstroDons. I don't have theIt is obviously more prevalent around bright stars and is worse bandmore you stretch the image. I have not seen halos with narrow Time,filters of any brand. allkgkirkley@ writes:you say the Baader filter(s?) doI have been testing the Baader filters for the last week under stars. Mykinds ofsky conditions. I do not see any halos around any bright myself,H-a imagesare very sharp with no reflections or ghost images around anystars. Maybe I ammistaken about Astrodon filters (I have not tested them mybut go onlyon what I have heard from others). I do know that several of stars.RGB filters inmy ST10 camera cause multiple reflection ghosts near bright theI don'tknow who makes these filters for SBIG, but they are not of thequality level ofthe Baader series. In my STL11K camera I have installed 3 of comingnarrow band 2"Baader filters and the images they produce are super nice. AllBaader filtershave high grade multi-layer coatings on them to insure freedomfromreflections. from hiscover glass and filter rear surface, something that can't beavoided unless thecoverglass is coated with a multi-layer.
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Re: First images with AP1200 GTO
Wiggins, Rick
Hi Tom,
If I got a spare ST10 size Astronomic or Custom Scientific blue filter, I could do a one for one in my ST10XME on my AP155 as I have a spare slot. I do plan on doing this at some point. Thanks, Rick --- In ap-gto@yahoogroups.com, "Tom Davis" <tvdavis@...> wrote: I currently have A-dons and unfortunately sold my SBIG/CS filters.I get verytostrong halos from my green Astrodon. I had thought it was due the fasthavereflections formf-ratio I was shooting with the scope I've had till now.I have an older SBIG ST10E which has very strong multiplethe green filter and fainter ones from the blue. These filters no coatingsfronton one side, so about 4% of the energy keeps bouncing between and reartellssurface. I do not know where SBIG got those filters. The STL11Kcamera that Igot from Ray Gralack have Custom Scientific RGB filters, he me. I havenot had any reflection problems with them.
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Re: First images with AP1200 GTO
ayiomamitis
--- In ap-gto@yahoogroups.com, chris1011@... wrote:
itself. Possibly the dust is on the field flattener lens or telecompressor.Yes, the further away from the film plane, the larger the dark circles willbe. However, once you get to the objective lens itself, you can have all kinds ofdust or even large central obstruction, and nothing at all will appear on theimage - but of course you knew that, yes?Yes, I knew that! :-) Okay, next week with full moon I will revisit these filters. By the way, these master flats were taken without any other intervening glass such as a telecompressor. I just loaded my 27TVPH for the first time ... eager to try it out with the AP160-ST2000XM. Results hopefully tomorrow. Thanks. Anthony.
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Re: First images with AP1200 GTO
ayiomamitis
--- In ap-gto@yahoogroups.com, chris1011@... wrote:
Rolando, That's caused by dust particles.Can you please take a look at the following: http://www.astrovox.gr/forum/download.php?id=2303 (Clear) http://www.astrovox.gr/forum/download.php?id=2304 (Lum) http://www.astrovox.gr/forum/download.php?id=2305 (Red) http://www.astrovox.gr/forum/download.php?id=2306 (Green) http://www.astrovox.gr/forum/download.php?id=2307 (Blue) Because the large circles move from master image to master image, we can rule out any possible particles on the CCD window which leaves (?) the filters themselves. I have looked very carefully at the filters and even tried cleaning them but the result remains the same. The circles also seem very big to be dust motes. I am wondering if the problem is at source during manufacture? Anthony.
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Re: First images with AP1200 GTO
ayiomamitis
--- In ap-gto@yahoogroups.com, chris1011@... wrote:
Rolando, My ST10XE is one of the first ones. It is quite old, and the filtersare not fully multi-coated on all surfaces. I don't care who made thesefilters. If one surface is left without coatings, there will be 4% reflectionfrom that surface, which will indeed cause a 4% ghost image.I was just answering your query as to who makes these filters. My set is also "old" (at least five years) and I do not have a problem with them. The concern I have with my set is the nice big circles which show up when taking flats. Anthony.
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Re: First images with AP1200 GTO
Roland Christen
In a message dated 6/22/2007 2:01:14 PM Central Daylight Time,
ayiomami@otenet.gr writes: http://www.astrovox.gr/forum/download.php?id=2303 (Clear)Could also be bubbles in the glass, which can only be seen if you look through the filter, but would be invisible when looking at the surface of the filter. The smallest dark spots are definitely on your cover glass. Rolando ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.
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How much counterweight?
Bob Holzer <b.holzer@...>
Hi Folks:
I think I have a Tak BRC-250 coming, it weighs 34 pounds, and am wondering if some one can guesstimate the counterweights I will need for it on my AP900. I may also mount my FSQ-106 on top of it. My imaging equipment is a good 10lb too. If someone has something close in size and weight I would appreciate knowing how much weight you are using. I already have two Casady 14.lb weights, I wonder if one more 21.7lb will work? Thanks, Bob
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Re: First images with AP1200 GTO
Roland Christen
In a message dated 6/22/2007 2:01:14 PM Central Daylight Time,
ayiomami@otenet.gr writes: Because the large circles move from master image to master image, weOnly way to know is to remove a filter and shoot through the air itself. Possibly the dust is on the field flattener lens or telecompressor. Yes, the further away from the film plane, the larger the dark circles will be. However, once you get to the objective lens itself, you can have all kinds of dust or even large central obstruction, and nothing at all will appear on the image - but of course you knew that, yes? Rolando ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.
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Re: First images with AP1200 GTO
Roland Christen
In a message dated 6/22/2007 11:23:05 AM Central Daylight Time,
ayiomami@otenet.gr writes: The concern I have with my set is the nice big circles whichThat's caused by dust particles. Rolando ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.
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Re: First images with AP1200 GTO
Roland Christen
In a message dated 6/22/2007 5:40:49 AM Central Daylight Time,
ayiomami@otenet.gr writes: It is my understanding that SBIG's filters are produced by CustomMy ST10XE is one of the first ones. It is quite old, and the filters are not fully multi-coated on all surfaces. I don't care who made these filters. If one surface is left without coatings, there will be 4% reflection from that surface, which will indeed cause a 4% ghost image. Rolando Rolando ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.
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Re: First images with AP1200 GTO
ayiomamitis
Rick,
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
I have SBIG's standard CLRGB filters and I do not experience such a problem. I image a lot of clusters (ie. lots of starry fields) and I have never encountered such a problem not even once. Is it possible that slight ambient temperature changes are affecting your focus point, thus giving you the false impression that the filters are doing something? I amvery careful of the ambient temperature and do refocus if necessary. Anthony.
--- In ap-gto@yahoogroups.com, "Rick Wiggins" <rickwiggins@...> wrote:
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Re: First images with AP1200 GTO
ayiomamitis
--- In ap-gto@yahoogroups.com, chris1011@... wrote:
filters in my ST10 camera cause multiple reflection ghosts near bright stars. Idon't know who makes these filters for SBIG, but they are not of thequality level of the Baader series. In my STL11K camera I have installed 3 of thenarrow band 2" Rolando, It is my understanding that SBIG's filters are produced by Custom Scientific (at least the LRGB ones). Anthony.
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Re: First images with AP1200 GTO
elraeburn <eraeburn@...>
--- In ap-gto@yahoogroups.com, chris1011@... wrote:
I have been testing the Baader filters for the last week under allThis raises an issue I've been wanting to ask about for some time: how do the Baader RGB filters perform for CCD imaging? The transmission curves look to me like they are not designed for this application (unequal coverage across the visual spectrum). How do they handle the "Astrodon Teal Criterion" (blue and green transmission curves intersecting at the OIII line)? Also, is it true they are available only in 1.25" models? -Eric
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Re: GPS on a German Equatorial Mount
michael mcdermott <classicstone9474@...>
I am curious to know how the AP mounts are able to get the time and location from the keypad/mount? There is a feature now isn't there?- Michael
John Stone <johns@ks.uiuc.edu> wrote: I'm late replying to this, but from my point of view, the GPS is mainly useful as an accurate time reference. People doing minor planet work like to have accurate times on their exposures. But in that use case, the user has a computer involved already, and can thus attach the GPS to the computer which is what they probably want to do anyway..For normal visual observing I don't see any real benefit. I would vote that this feature not be added unless you can add it as an _optional_ startup mode/phase in the firmware for the existing mount controllers (e.g. a firmware upgrade for CP3 mount controllers). If implemented as new firmware that just "listens" on one of the serial ports, that might be useful for some people. One could make a small microcontroller box to interface a GPS to an AP mount for a modest cost if people are really wound up and absolutely have to have GPS with their AP mount. I'm sure a PIC or a BASIC STAMP chip could do this pretty trivially. Parsing NMEA packets from a GPS is easy. Such a box could be used even with the older mounts. Cheers, John Stone --- In ap-gto@yahoogroups.com, chris1011@... wrote: the Gemini GoTo system. I realize that GPS is vital for Alt-Az mountings, sincetracking rate of any object in the sky is variable and directly affected by youraligned GEM is always fixed at sidereal, I question the need for this addedcomplication to the system (another thing to go wrong out in the field). Myself, I thinkof it like having anti-lock brakes on a speedboat, however Marj is totallyconvinced that we will need this vital bit of technology in order to not be leftbehind by the competition.align)? Any thoughts from the advanced users out there?
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Re: GPS on a German Equatorial Mount
John Stone <johns@...>
I'm late replying to this, but from my point of view, the GPS is
mainly useful as an accurate time reference. People doing minor planet work like to have accurate times on their exposures. But in that use case, the user has a computer involved already, and can thus attach the GPS to the computer which is what they probably want to do anyway..For normal visual observing I don't see any real benefit. I would vote that this feature not be added unless you can add it as an _optional_ startup mode/phase in the firmware for the existing mount controllers (e.g. a firmware upgrade for CP3 mount controllers). If implemented as new firmware that just "listens" on one of the serial ports, that might be useful for some people. One could make a small microcontroller box to interface a GPS to an AP mount for a modest cost if people are really wound up and absolutely have to have GPS with their AP mount. I'm sure a PIC or a BASIC STAMP chip could do this pretty trivially. Parsing NMEA packets from a GPS is easy. Such a box could be used even with the older mounts. Cheers, John Stone --- In ap-gto@yahoogroups.com, chris1011@... wrote: the Gemini GoTo system. I realize that GPS is vital for Alt-Az mountings, sincetracking rate of any object in the sky is variable and directly affected by youraligned GEM is always fixed at sidereal, I question the need for this addedcomplication to the system (another thing to go wrong out in the field). Myself, I thinkof it like having anti-lock brakes on a speedboat, however Marj is totallyconvinced that we will need this vital bit of technology in order to not be leftbehind by the competition.align)? Any thoughts from the advanced users out there?
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Re: First images with AP1200 GTO
peturnielsen
and price ?
astrodon (6nm) is $695 vs baader (7nm) is $335 !!(for STL 11000) p --- In ap-gto@yahoogroups.com, kgkirkley@... wrote: kinds of H-asky conditions. I do not see any halos around any bright stars. My stars. Maybe Iimages but go onlyam RGB filterson what I have heard from others). I do know that several of my I don'tin quality levelknow who makes these filters for SBIG, but they are not of the narrow bandof from his2" avoided unlesscover glass and filter rear surface, something that can't be theRoland:
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Re: [PHISHING]: Re: Re: First images with AP1200 GTO
bcoote37
Hi Rolando,
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
I have been looking back at recent images with my STL11K and Astrodon filters. How much halo is visible on stars certainly depends on how much stretching of data is used to make them more visible. Very bright stars certainly induce strong reflections and green is by far the worst on my system. I think interline chips are probably indirectly involved as with the full frame chips the bright stars usually induced blooms which required processing to remove. As a result I anyway avoided overlong integrations with my ST8E NABG . Regards, Brian http://www.bcoote-astro.com/default.htm
----- Original Message -----
From: chris1011@aol.com To: ap-gto@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, June 22, 2007 5:47 AM Subject: [PHISHING]: Re: [ap-gto] Re: First images with AP1200 GTO --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Panda Antivirus + Firewall 2007 has detected that this email could be spoofed Take maximum precautions, as spoofed emails could be the sign of a fraud attempt. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In a message dated 6/21/2007 2:32:22 PM Central Daylight Time, stuart.j.heggie@sympatico.ca writes: > Roland, the SBIG filters are from Custom Scientific I believe. I get very > strong halos from my green Astrodon. I had thought it was due to the fast > f-ratio I was shooting with the scope I've had till now. > I have an older SBIG ST10E which has very strong multiple reflections form the green filter and fainter ones from the blue. These filters have no coatings on one side, so about 4% of the energy keeps bouncing between front and rear surface. I do not know where SBIG got those filters. The STL11K camera that I got from Ray Gralack have Custom Scientific RGB filters, he tells me. I have not had any reflection problems with them. Rolando ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Panda Antivirus + Firewall 2007 has detected that this email could be spoofed Take maximum precautions, as spoofed emails could be the sign of a fraud attempt. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Re: First images with AP1200 GTO
Tom Davis
I know this would be difficult to do, but it would be very
illustrative to see a same target, same scope, same camera but different filters (especially RGB) side by side image comparison. I currently have A-dons and unfortunately sold my SBIG/CS filters. Tom --- In ap-gto@yahoogroups.com, chris1011@... wrote: get very the faststrong halos from my green Astrodon. I had thought it was due to reflections formf-ratio I was shooting with the scope I've had till now.I have an older SBIG ST10E which has very strong multiple the green filter and fainter ones from the blue. These filters haveno coatings on one side, so about 4% of the energy keeps bouncing between frontand rear surface. I do not know where SBIG got those filters. The STL11Kcamera that I got from Ray Gralack have Custom Scientific RGB filters, he tellsme. I have not had any reflection problems with them.
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