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Re: The Horsehead and the Flame

Roland Christen
 

Really really nice image!

Rolando

-----Original Message-----
From: bakersfieldbiker <fblue@bak.rr.com>
To: ap-gto <ap-gto@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Fri, Nov 23, 2012 12:46 pm
Subject: [ap-gto] The Horsehead and the Flame


http://www.astrophotogallery.org/floyd-s-pics/p10599-horsehead-nebula-bern.html

Here is my latest image from November. This was a target that I avoided due to
halos on Alnatak. But after finally getting filters that do not halo (Astrodon
Gen2) I was able to capture it.

Hope you like it.

TEC-140 @ f/5.4
ML833
AP-900

22x10 minutes each color RGB & Synthetic Luminance.
Floyd



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Re: Confusion After Installing the "S" Chip

astrokattner
 

Check out the link below from their website. It says Q or earlier. It also notes that the keypad info will not change so date time location is still in there, but that info has to be downloaded to the servo firmware for it to be reinitialized into the mount.

http://www.astro-physics.com/index.htm?products/accessories/software/apcc/apcc

Hope this helps.

--- In ap-gto@yahoogroups.com, "Larry Phillips" <llp41astro@...> wrote:

I had the same experience with my O chip. Also, not sure about PEC.

Larry

--- In ap-gto@yahoogroups.com, "gmillerok" <grmok1@> wrote:

I posted the exact same question. All I can tell you is that after I replaced the Q chip with the S chip, the GTOCP3 booted up as it normally would before. Location data, time, date all was as it was before the chip upgrade.

Not sure about PEC. That's a bit hard to tell.

Gerald

--- In ap-gto@yahoogroups.com, "Larry Phillips" <llp41astro@> wrote:

Hello anyone who can help.

I have just received and installed my "S" chip replacing one which is version "O".

There seems to be a contradiction in the two instructions sheets received with the chip. The one titled "Installing New ROM Chip into GTO Control Box-Model GTOCP3, Chip Version "R" and later", in the last paragraph with the subheading titled "After the ROM chip replacement-Versions "R" and later", it says "If your previous ROM chip was version "Q" or earlier, you must perform a full initialization on your first power-up, and you will also need to redo the mount's PEM. Etc."

In the second sheet titled "Your first observing session" it says in the next to last paragraph titled "After a ROM chip replacement-GTOCP3-Version Q and earlier", "Install your new chip and proceed normally as if nothing had changed. Etc."

I had the "O" chip, do I need to do an initialization on first start up and redo PEM or not?

Larry
Re: Guide system suggestions

Jeff Crilly
 

I'll second the "OAG is the only way to go".

However, to start, I would suggest doing ~unguided~ imaging w/ the C11 and see how that goes. You got nothing to lose, and it will be a good exercise.

Here's some thoughts based on my experience with long FL imaging...

1) at 2800mm i suspect you will be "chasing the seeing".

2) Additionally focus is critical w/ temperature change if the tube is aluminum.

3) As for mirror flop -- i think this might depend on which C11 you have.. the later models have mirror locks and carbon tubes, iirc.

Hence I would suggest a OAG w/ reducer... and depending on the C11 focuser, add an aftermarket between the OTA and the OAG.

I've been using a meade 12" "RC" aka "ACF" OTA on an AP1200. (with various cameras: CCD and DSLR).

I started out simple -- piggyback guidescope, using the moving mirror focuser. No go.

Upgraded to lumicon Giant easy guider w/ reducer. Better, but focuser / mirror slop was still ridiculous..

Upgraded to Clement 3" focuser. This worked.

It is indeed a challenge to find guidestars, etc, with the OAG.

(I have more fun widefield, or with apo refractors (Tak, sadly no AP refractors in the house) at about 1000mm.)

Btw, as for "guidecamera + guidescope" combos (assuming imaging with a refractor)...
I am using a 400mm camera lens + meade-dsi-pro (mono). Mainly cuz this was almost zero cost for me.
Otoh: The sbig st-i guider kit looks nice: http://www.sbig.com/ST-i-Guider-Kit.html


On Nov 25, 2012, at 8:42 PM, ap1600gto wrote:

Hi Dan,

Would you be tempted to put a Takahashi FSQ85 atop your C11 with something like an Orion StarShoot camera? You can guide your C11 with this setup for narrow fields; or do widefield imaging with the FSQ, letting the mount do unguided tracking.

Armand

--- In ap-gto@yahoogroups.com, "merrickdr" <merrickdr@...> wrote:

I just got my AP1600 mount and I am trying to decide on a good guiding system for it. I have a celestron c11 on the mount and plan on experimenting with a Canon 60Da that I have. The focal length of the C11 is 2800 mm. I am trying to keep weight of the camera and am primarily interested in a scope/guide camera combination.

I would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks

Dan Merrick


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: APCC and ASCOM

tucstargzr
 

Hello Dong,

As I'm doing a bit of homework on this, mind if I help you a bit by pasteing this?

Tom

--- In ap-gto@yahoogroups.com, Marj <marj@> wrote:

Please check this link. It lists the features of both. When they are
available for trial use, you can determine which version is most useful for your
application.
http://www.astro-physics.com/products/accessories/software/apcc/apcc.htm


Clear Skies!

Marj Christen
Vice President
Astro-Physics, Inc
11250 Forest Hills Road
Machesney Park, IL 61115
Phone: 815-282-1513
Fax: 815-282-9847
www.astro-physics.com
Please include this e-mail with your response.


--- In ap-gto@yahoogroups.com, "Dong Hun" <malonee72@...> wrote:

Hi guys,

I'm an owner of Mach1GTO.
I'm very interested in APCC but I don't fully understand what exactly it is.

Is APCC an application using the AP ASCOM driver or some sort of driver?

I'm using Sequence Generator Pro and several other planetarium software such as SkyTools and Cartes Du Ciel for image capture, plate solving and syncing etc. These software uses the ASCOM driver to move the mount and send the Recal command.

For example I do an initial Recal with Cartes Du Ciel for a star and use Sequence Generator Pro to do plate solving to go to the target to match the image from the previous night or go back to the target after re-focusing. Sequence Generator Pro do the plate solving using PinPoint or Elbrus.

What would be the work flow if I use the plate solving feature of the APCC?
Can APCC work with the other software using the ASCOM driver (other software sending the RECAL command)?

My setup is not a permanent setup.

Thank you.
Dong Hun
Re: seeing, and optimum guiding

roywellington
 

Morten,

Please find a spreadsheet in the Stark-Labs yahoo group called "Guiding Worksheet". The spreadsheet was designed to test the effects of the PHD parameters Aggressiveness and Hysteresis. I got an estimate of Seeing from the PHD log which is likely exposure dependent. The spreadsheet does not directly address your question but I hope you find some value nonetheless.

I usually use a guide camera exposure setting of four seconds. I feel I must reach for "Star Mass" at least as much as minimizing fluctuations from seeing.

I put a copy of the spreadsheet at http://goo.gl/sc1SC

Roy

--- In ap-gto@yahoogroups.com, "lacour.morten" <lacour.morten@...> wrote:

Dear group

One of the problems autoguiding AP mounts is that the corrections needed are small compared to the fluctuations of the guider centroid caused by seeing, at least in my area. One way to reduce centroid vatiation is to increase guider exposure time. In order to optimize the parameters without wasting preciuos observation time, I need an empirical relationship between exposure time and centroid vatiation.
If some of you already have made that exercise I would very much appreciate the conclusion, and/or the data. I.e. phd og maxim guidelog files with different exposure times for the guider.

Morten
Re: Guide system suggestions

Armand P
 

Hi Dan,

Would you be tempted to put a Takahashi FSQ85 atop your C11 with something like an Orion StarShoot camera? You can guide your C11 with this setup for narrow fields; or do widefield imaging with the FSQ, letting the mount do unguided tracking.

Armand

--- In ap-gto@yahoogroups.com, "merrickdr" <merrickdr@...> wrote:

I just got my AP1600 mount and I am trying to decide on a good guiding system for it. I have a celestron c11 on the mount and plan on experimenting with a Canon 60Da that I have. The focal length of the C11 is 2800 mm. I am trying to keep weight of the camera and am primarily interested in a scope/guide camera combination.

I would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks

Dan Merrick
Re: Guide system suggestions

Kent Kirkley
 

Off axis guider (OAG) is the only successful way to go.


At 2800mm differential flexure will, if not sooner, then later, rear its ugly head.
Unless you can lock the primary mirror in the C11 there will also be 'mirror flop'..
which is the mirror moving on its 'thimbell' as the the mount tracks across the sky.
All of this will result in trailed images..and be very frustrating.


Now, since you will be trying to use a Canon 60Da....your exposures will not be
very long, probably shorter than 5 minutes...and a separate guide scope might work.


Kent Kirkley

-----Original Message-----
From: merrickdr <merrickdr@yahoo.com>
To: ap-gto <ap-gto@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sun, Nov 25, 2012 9:53 pm
Subject: [ap-gto] Guide system suggestions


I just got my AP1600 mount and I am trying to decide on a good guiding system
for it. I have a celestron c11 on the mount and plan on experimenting with a
Canon 60Da that I have. The focal length of the C11 is 2800 mm. I am trying to
keep weight of the camera and am primarily interested in a scope/guide camera
combination.

I would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks

Dan Merrick



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Guide system suggestions

merrickdr
 

I just got my AP1600 mount and I am trying to decide on a good guiding system for it. I have a celestron c11 on the mount and plan on experimenting with a Canon 60Da that I have. The focal length of the C11 is 2800 mm. I am trying to keep weight of the camera and am primarily interested in a scope/guide camera combination.

I would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks

Dan Merrick
Re: Confusion After Installing the "S" Chip

Larry Phillips
 

I had the same experience with my O chip. Also, not sure about PEC.

Larry

--- In ap-gto@yahoogroups.com, "gmillerok" <grmok1@...> wrote:

I posted the exact same question. All I can tell you is that after I replaced the Q chip with the S chip, the GTOCP3 booted up as it normally would before. Location data, time, date all was as it was before the chip upgrade.

Not sure about PEC. That's a bit hard to tell.

Gerald

--- In ap-gto@yahoogroups.com, "Larry Phillips" <llp41astro@> wrote:

Hello anyone who can help.

I have just received and installed my "S" chip replacing one which is version "O".

There seems to be a contradiction in the two instructions sheets received with the chip. The one titled "Installing New ROM Chip into GTO Control Box-Model GTOCP3, Chip Version "R" and later", in the last paragraph with the subheading titled "After the ROM chip replacement-Versions "R" and later", it says "If your previous ROM chip was version "Q" or earlier, you must perform a full initialization on your first power-up, and you will also need to redo the mount's PEM. Etc."

In the second sheet titled "Your first observing session" it says in the next to last paragraph titled "After a ROM chip replacement-GTOCP3-Version Q and earlier", "Install your new chip and proceed normally as if nothing had changed. Etc."

I had the "O" chip, do I need to do an initialization on first start up and redo PEM or not?

Larry
Re: Confusion After Installing the "S" Chip

Gerald Miller
 

I posted the exact same question. All I can tell you is that after I replaced the Q chip with the S chip, the GTOCP3 booted up as it normally would before. Location data, time, date all was as it was before the chip upgrade.

Not sure about PEC. That's a bit hard to tell.

Gerald

--- In ap-gto@yahoogroups.com, "Larry Phillips" <llp41astro@...> wrote:

Hello anyone who can help.

I have just received and installed my "S" chip replacing one which is version "O".

There seems to be a contradiction in the two instructions sheets received with the chip. The one titled "Installing New ROM Chip into GTO Control Box-Model GTOCP3, Chip Version "R" and later", in the last paragraph with the subheading titled "After the ROM chip replacement-Versions "R" and later", it says "If your previous ROM chip was version "Q" or earlier, you must perform a full initialization on your first power-up, and you will also need to redo the mount's PEM. Etc."

In the second sheet titled "Your first observing session" it says in the next to last paragraph titled "After a ROM chip replacement-GTOCP3-Version Q and earlier", "Install your new chip and proceed normally as if nothing had changed. Etc."

I had the "O" chip, do I need to do an initialization on first start up and redo PEM or not?

Larry
Re: New Image: Merlotte 15 in Ha

Gregg Ruppel <ruppelgl@...>
 

Steve
Looking good so far....but it looks like an "r" got inserted into the name. :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philibert_Jacques_Melotte


Clear skies,

Gregg
Www.ruppel.darkhorizons.org

On Nov 25, 2012, at 4:49 PM, "Steve Reilly" <sreilly24590@centurylink.net> wrote:

I've been working on this image for a while now gathering photons since the
10th. I have posted two images with different processing and would
appreciate any feedback on improving the image. I have some RGB data on this
as well, about 9 hours worth that I'm planning on adding the Ha to but not
sure when I'll get it posted. My most recent images are linked here
http://www.astral-imaging.com/latest_images.htm while Merlotte 15 can be
seen directly here http://www.astral-imaging.com/Melotte15-Ha.htm

-Steve

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: [CCD-ASTRO] Witch Head Nebula from Southern Skies

Darkforce <gerber@...>
 

For me, she is just perfect !

Congrats

Immo

Am Sonntag, 25. November 2012 08:15:19 UTC+1 schrieb Adam Block:


Fantastic!

*-----Original Message-----
*From: PEREZ, Jos� Joaqu�n [mailto:coteja...@gmail.com <javascript:>]
*Sent: Saturday, November 24, 2012 07:16 PM
*To: ap-...@yahoogroups.com <javascript:>, ap...@yahoogroups.com<javascript:>,
'ccd-astro', 'SBIG'
*Subject: [CCD-ASTRO] Witch Head Nebula from Southern Skies
*
*Dear Groups, after a long time without posting, attached you will find my
*rendition of this famous object.
*
*A little bit more than 9 hours exposing under a very dark site, good
*transparency and seeing.
*
*http://www.astro-austral.cl/imagenes/nebulae/Witchhead/info.htm
*
*Thanks for looking and your comments are welcomed.
*
*Best regards,
*
*--
*Jos� Joaqu�n P�rez
*Rancagua_Chile
*http://www.astro-austral.cl <http://www.astro-austral.cl/home.htm>
*
http://www.eso.org/public/outreach/partnerships/photo-ambassadors.html#perez
*
New Image: Merlotte 15 in Ha

Steve Reilly
 

I've been working on this image for a while now gathering photons since the
10th. I have posted two images with different processing and would
appreciate any feedback on improving the image. I have some RGB data on this
as well, about 9 hours worth that I'm planning on adding the Ha to but not
sure when I'll get it posted. My most recent images are linked here
http://www.astral-imaging.com/latest_images.htm while Merlotte 15 can be
seen directly here http://www.astral-imaging.com/Melotte15-Ha.htm



-Steve
APCC and ASCOM

Donghun
 

Hi guys,

I'm an owner of Mach1GTO.
I'm very interested in APCC but I don't fully understand what exactly it is.

Is APCC an application using the AP ASCOM driver or some sort of driver?

I'm using Sequence Generator Pro and several other planetarium software such as SkyTools and Cartes Du Ciel for image capture, plate solving and syncing etc. These software uses the ASCOM driver to move the mount and send the Recal command.

For example I do an initial Recal with Cartes Du Ciel for a star and use Sequence Generator Pro to do plate solving to go to the target to match the image from the previous night or go back to the target after re-focusing. Sequence Generator Pro do the plate solving using PinPoint or Elbrus.

What would be the work flow if I use the plate solving feature of the APCC?
Can APCC work with the other software using the ASCOM driver (other software sending the RECAL command)?

My setup is not a permanent setup.

Thank you.
Dong Hun
Re: Keyspan Problem

Derek Wong
 

Hi Jim:

Richard sent the reply to ap-gto-owner@yahoogroups.com instead of
ap-gto@yahoogroups.com so it did not get to the group. I have included his
reply below yours. FYI, there is a newer driver version 4 (out of beta)
that I just used dated 9/5/12 for Windows 7 and 8:

http://www.tripplite.com/en/support/downloads/downloads-by-model.cfm?txtKeyword=USA-19HS

I don't know if you can update the driver while the Keyspan is still
attached. It seems like you could eject the keyspan in Windows, update the
driver, then restart the computer?

Derek


On Sun, Nov 25, 2012 at 10:34 AM, Jim Janusz <jjanusz@dc.rr.com> wrote:

**


I received an off line response but the return email bounced so I thought
I
would post the reply here.

Thanks Richard, I'll check that out.

Do you happen to know if it is possible to update the driver while the
Keyspan is attached to the computer? My observatory is 500 miles away.

Jim
ngc3115 ngc3115@yahoo.com
7:38 AM (4 hours ago)
to *ap-gto-owner*
Try using USA-19HS_v4b(Beta)(Windows 7)if it's still on the Keyspan site
Jim. I'm using it on a desktop and a laptop with 64 bit Win 7, and have
not had any problems at all with it since downloading it several months ago.
Richard



----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Janusz" <jjanusz@dc.rr.com>
To: <ap-gto@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, November 24, 2012 10:39 PM
Subject: [ap-gto] Keyspan Problem

I'm using a Win 7 64 bit computer in my observatory and I'm experiencing
Blue Screens of Death caused by the Keyspan Driver usa19hx64p.sys. Has
anyone experienced this and if so, is there a fix?

Nothing worse than a BSOD at 3 AM when I'm asleep. Not good for the
health of the mount and scope.

Jim

Email jjanusz@dc.rr.com
Astro Images http://astroimager.net
Latest Images http://www.astroimager.net/Page-2A-Alta.html

If more sane people were armed,
the crazy people would get off fewer shots.
Support the second amendment.





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see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gtoYahoo! Groups Links





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Keyspan Problem

Jim Janusz <jjanusz@...>
 

I received an off line response but the return email bounced so I thought I would post the reply here.

Thanks Richard, I'll check that out.

Do you happen to know if it is possible to update the driver while the
Keyspan is attached to the computer? My observatory is 500 miles away.

Jim

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Janusz" <jjanusz@dc.rr.com>
To: <ap-gto@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, November 24, 2012 10:39 PM
Subject: [ap-gto] Keyspan Problem


I'm using a Win 7 64 bit computer in my observatory and I'm experiencing Blue Screens of Death caused by the Keyspan Driver usa19hx64p.sys. Has anyone experienced this and if so, is there a fix?

Nothing worse than a BSOD at 3 AM when I'm asleep. Not good for the health of the mount and scope.

Jim

Email jjanusz@dc.rr.com
Astro Images http://astroimager.net
Latest Images http://www.astroimager.net/Page-2A-Alta.html

If more sane people were armed,
the crazy people would get off fewer shots.
Support the second amendment.




------------------------------------

To UNSUBSCRIBE, or for general information on the ap-gto list
see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gtoYahoo! Groups Links
seeing, and optimum guiding

lacour.morten
 

Dear group

One of the problems autoguiding AP mounts is that the corrections needed are small compared to the fluctuations of the guider centroid caused by seeing, at least in my area. One way to reduce centroid vatiation is to increase guider exposure time. In order to optimize the parameters without wasting preciuos observation time, I need an empirical relationship between exposure time and centroid vatiation.
If some of you already have made that exercise I would very much appreciate the conclusion, and/or the data. I.e. phd og maxim guidelog files with different exposure times for the guider.

Morten
Re: Witch Head Nebula from Southern Skies

Jos� Joaqu�n P�rez Guy
 

Thanks Floyd!!

BR


2012/11/25 bakersfieldbiker <fblue@bak.rr.com>

**


That is a great image Jose'.
Floyd


--- In ap-gto@yahoogroups.com, PEREZ, José Joaquín <cotejardinero@...>
wrote:

Dear Groups, after a long time without posting, attached you will find my
rendition of this famous object.

A little bit more than 9 hours exposing under a very dark site, good
transparency and seeing.

http://www.astro-austral.cl/imagenes/nebulae/Witchhead/info.htm

Thanks for looking and your comments are welcomed.

Best regards,

--
José Joaquín Pérez
Rancagua_Chile
http://www.astro-austral.cl <http://www.astro-austral.cl/home.htm>
http://www.eso.org/public/outreach/partnerships/photo-ambassadors.html#perez


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



--
José Joaquín Pérez
Rancagua_Chile
http://www.astro-austral.cl <http://www.astro-austral.cl/home.htm>
http://www.eso.org/public/outreach/partnerships/photo-ambassadors.html#perez
Re: Witch Head Nebula from Southern Skies

Jos� Joaqu�n P�rez Guy
 

Good to see that you liked it, Observe_m13!!


2012/11/25 observe_m13 <JunkMailGoesHere@shaw.ca>

**


WOW! Now that is really nice.


--- In ap-gto@yahoogroups.com, PEREZ, José Joaquín <cotejardinero@...>
wrote:

Dear Groups, after a long time without posting, attached you will find my
rendition of this famous object.

A little bit more than 9 hours exposing under a very dark site, good
transparency and seeing.

http://www.astro-austral.cl/imagenes/nebulae/Witchhead/info.htm

Thanks for looking and your comments are welcomed.

Best regards,

--
José Joaquín Pérez
Rancagua_Chile
http://www.astro-austral.cl <http://www.astro-austral.cl/home.htm>
http://www.eso.org/public/outreach/partnerships/photo-ambassadors.html#perez






--
José Joaquín Pérez
Rancagua_Chile
http://www.astro-austral.cl <http://www.astro-austral.cl/home.htm>
http://www.eso.org/public/outreach/partnerships/photo-ambassadors.html#perez


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Keyspan Problem

Jim Janusz <jjanusz@...>
 

I'm using a Win 7 64 bit computer in my observatory and I'm experiencing Blue Screens of Death caused by the Keyspan Driver usa19hx64p.sys. Has anyone experienced this and if so, is there a fix?

Nothing worse than a BSOD at 3 AM when I'm asleep. Not good for the health of the mount and scope.

Jim

Email jjanusz@dc.rr.com
Astro Images http://astroimager.net
Latest Images http://www.astroimager.net/Page-2A-Alta.html

If more sane people were armed,
the crazy people would get off fewer shots.
Support the second amendment.
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