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Re: 47 Tucanae with 155EDF refractor
Roland Christen
It was processed back in 2011. I have not gone back to the original subs.Too many other projects.
I did want to post this because the 155 is probably my favorite medium sized refractor and I don't use it much here because I have a 160 (which is unfortunately longer and heavier). The glass for the 155 ended up having more and more problems (glass made by Schott) so I finally threw in the towel and redesigned the lens to use all Ohara glass from Japan in our 160 EDF as well as all the other newer scopes.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Eric Weiner <weinere@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Mon, Sep 6, 2021 5:36 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] 47 Tucanae with 155EDF refractor Very beautiful Roland. Simply out of curiosity, is this the image processed in 2011 or did you use modern techniques to reprocess the 2011 subs?
Cheers,
Eric
-- Roland Christen Astro-Physics
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Re: 47 Tucanae with 155EDF refractor
vk3cjk
Hi Roland, many here 'down under' would readily agree with you. It's certainly been a goto target that my AP 1200 has settled on many times to show countless visitors. We are very lucky to have Tuc 47 in our backyard! Nice rendition of yours, too. Cheers, Chris
On Tue, Sep 7, 2021 at 7:08 AM Terry Martin <terry@...> wrote: Wow!! That's gorgeous. Thanks for sharing Roland.
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Re: 47 Tucanae with 155EDF refractor
Very beautiful Roland. Simply out of curiosity, is this the image processed in 2011 or did you use modern techniques to reprocess the 2011 subs?
Cheers, Eric
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Re: 47 Tucanae with 155EDF refractor
Terry Martin
Wow!! That's gorgeous. Thanks for sharing Roland.
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Re: APCC move axis question
Ray Gralak
Hi Andy,
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
I finally found the issue! The MoveAxis was not moving the mount only when Pointing and Tracking Rate Correction are enabled and the mount is pointing within 10 degrees of the celestial pole. Since your testing was done above 80 degrees declination, APCC purposely turned off pointing and tracking rate correction adjustments so the moves were never issued. That explains why, when I did my testing, the moves worked, as I happened to be testing away from the celestial pole. That also explains why I didn't see any tracking correction log statements in your logs, which made me think you had mistakenly had it turned off. The new version I just posted (APCC Standard 1.9.0.4 and APCC Pro 1.9.0.5) fixes this issue. -Ray
-----Original Message-----
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Re: Rookie Question
jimwc@...
Mike
I know this is a AP forum, I am using a Celestron CVX mount right now, but I am on the waiting list for a Mach2. I also use a Icron Raven 3104. I mounted it to the dove tail plate with a piece of 0.125" aluminum plate just big enough to hold the Raven and a powerpole block it mounts under the focuser of my stellarvue SVX 70T very nicely. I run one 12v cable to a powerpole connector block to power my Focuser controller, Imaging camera, and Guide Camera. I have the power for the Raven 3104 running directly from a AC block on the pier. I have one USB running down to the Mount hand controller from the Raven, I also have a 50 foot Ethernet cable to the kitchen table in the house. I run the USB cables from the Focuser controller, Imaging camera, and Guide camera on top on my aluminum plate to the Raven. so I only have 4 cables swinging around as the mount moves, when I get my Mach2 it will be even less because I wont have the USB from the mount or the 12v to the powerpole block they run internal to the mount. Jim
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47 Tucanae with 155EDF refractor
Roland Christen
https://www.astrobin.com/fu21m5/
47 Tuc in my opinion is the most incredible globular cluster in the entire sky. Located in the southern hemisphere, it is easily visible to the unaided eye and really pops with almost any optical aid from binoculars to large Dobsonians. The perfection of this glob is in the symmetry and gradual buildup to the bright inner core. In a way it resembles the beauty and perfection of Mt Fuji in Japan.
The image was taken with a 155EDF refractor, one of many scopes that Daniel Verschatse installed at his observatory complex at the Hacienda de Los Andes at the southern edge of the Atacama desert. The location was close to perfection as far as transparency and steadiness of the sky. Marj and I were fortunate to visit Daniel several times while he was still with us on this earth. A more gracious host I have never known.
Rolando
-- Roland Christen Astro-Physics
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APCC Standard 1.9.0.4 and APCC Pro 1.9.0.5 are available for download
Ray Gralak
Hello all,
We are pleased to announce the availability of updated versions of APCC Standard and Pro. These builds fix bugs reported by users over the last few weeks. APCC Standard 1.9.0.4: https://www.apastrosoftware.com/apcc_download/APCC_Standard_Setup_1.9.0.4.exe APCC Pro 1.9.0.5: https://www.apastrosoftware.com/apcc_download/APCC_Pro_Setup_1.9.0.5.exe List of fixes: APCC - Fixed - APCC did not send meridian limit value to Sequence Generator Pro. APCC - Fixed - backup COM port value did not save when set to "None". APCC - Fixed - trial license did not enable latest subscription features. APCC Pro - Fixed - MoveAxis commands were disabled when Dec >= 80 or Dec <= -80 degrees. APCC Pro - Fixed - Dec-Arc check box did not save. APCC Pro - Fixed - APPM did not allow non-standard spaces in OBJCTRA and OBJCTDEC FITS header keyword values. APCC Pro - Fixed - ASTAP results in APPM did not work with FITS files with extensions other than ".FIT". Best regards, -Ray
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Re: Deep Sky Object Database for Non-Keypad Users
Worsel
Mike
I have used Cartes du Ciel (CDC - https://ap-i.net/skychart//en/start) for several years now and really like it. It integrates well with ASCOM, including the A-P V2 driver. There are Windows, LINUX (a couple distros), MacOS, RPI, FreeBSD versions. All are free. While I have used UCAC, NOMAD, and GAIA star catalogs at times, the default catalogs cover all the obvious objects. There are many other catalogs available from the above website. One thing to watch for is where the catalogs are installed. If you choose to install catalogs in a different folder than the default, then you have to point CdC at that folder on the SETUP -> Catalog configuration window. CdC has a group.io forum... https://groups.io/g/skychart/topics I also use Astrotortilla (a GUI for offline astrometry.net) and ASTAP for plate-solving. Both work well; although I am more familiar with the former. ASTAP is a bit faster, but not enough (seconds, not minutes) to make me use it exclusively. P.S. 1100 GT (non-AE), CP4. I have never owned a hand controller and do not miss it. Bryan
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Re: Deep Sky Object Database for Non-Keypad Users
Roland Christen
You can use any planetarium program along with your keypad. I use SkyX to select objects I want to see, and use the keypad for centering, slewing and tracking functions, as well as parking, unparking, etc.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: M Hambrick <mhambrick563@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Mon, Sep 6, 2021 1:01 pm Subject: [ap-gto] Deep Sky Object Database for Non-Keypad Users I have another "newbie" question related to APCC: I have been using the GOTO functionality of my keypad to slew to whatever object I want to look at. For those APCC users who do not have or use keypads what are you using ? I assume that you are using some sort of observatory control software (e.g. MaxIm DL or PinPoint) with some sort of object catalog, but there are many options.
Since I have the keypad I will continue to use it, but are there any particular advantages to going with observatory control software over the keypad ? If I did so it would most likely be via MaxIm DL since I already use that platform for guiding and imaging. Mike -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics
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Re: Deep Sky Object Database for Non-Keypad Users
ap@CaptivePhotons.com
M Hambrick wrote:
So I have been wondering the reverse a bit, whether I will eventually miss not having a keypad. 😊
I use Stellarium, which is free and pretty good. I wanted to try Cartes du Ciel but despite trying twice could not get the additional databases loaded so it lacked a lot of details and images.
The biggest lack I would anticipate if I were doing visual observing is a convenient joystick type adjustment. APCC and NINA both have buttons, but buttons on a windows display are awkward compared to a keypad to fine tune your pointing if visually looking through an eyepiece. I say that theoretically, as one day I will find my eyepieces and try it. 😊
Linwood
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Re: Deep Sky Object Database for Non-Keypad Users
Eduardo Oliveira
Hi there, With PC software you can use plate solve functionality which for me was a game changer in my Astrophotography workflow. I use Astrophotography Tool which in my opinion is one of the best value for money acquisition softwares available. With APT you have access to Point Craft, a very capable suite of plate solve functions that automates centering of targets, meridian flips and much more. Of course there are many other programs that are even more complete than APT with Observatory control functions and automation. Regards Eduardo Oliveira Em seg., 6 de set. de 2021 às 15:02, M Hambrick <mhambrick563@...> escreveu:
I have another "newbie" question related to APCC: I have been using the GOTO functionality of my keypad to slew to whatever object I want to look at. For those APCC users who do not have or use keypads what are you using ? I assume that you are using some sort of observatory control software (e.g. MaxIm DL or PinPoint) with some sort of object catalog, but there are many options.
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Re: Rookie Question
On 9/6/2021 1:50 PM, M Hambrick wrote:
Thanks for the tips on USB hubs. I assume that the Icron is a goodThe Icron Raven _is_ a good USB 3 option, but the REX remote unit is large (5.4"x9.1"x1.3") and heavy (2.1 lbs). Plus, it has an external power supply with an AC power cord and a 24VDC cable to the REX. I don't think the REX is suitable for mounting on dovetail plate. I mounted mine on a wood panel on the south side of my pier: <http://astronomy.mdodd.com/observatory.html#SouthPanel> For scale, the concrete pier is 12" in diameter. I loop USB cables from the REX to equipment on the mount. <http://astronomy.mdodd.com/observatory.html#CableManagement> --- Mike
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Deep Sky Object Database for Non-Keypad Users
I have another "newbie" question related to APCC: I have been using the GOTO functionality of my keypad to slew to whatever object I want to look at. For those APCC users who do not have or use keypads what are you using ? I assume that you are using some sort of observatory control software (e.g. MaxIm DL or PinPoint) with some sort of object catalog, but there are many options.
Since I have the keypad I will continue to use it, but are there any particular advantages to going with observatory control software over the keypad ? If I did so it would most likely be via MaxIm DL since I already use that platform for guiding and imaging. Mike
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Re: Rookie Question
Thanks for the tips on USB hubs. I assume that the Icron is a good option. I will have to investigate my options for mounting it on my dovetail plate since it is common to my three different imaging trains.
Mike
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Re: Looking for a CP3
fernandorivera3
You can also put a wanted ad for a used CP3 box on Astromart or Cloudy Nights. They come up for sale over there often, around 300 bucks or so.
Fernando
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Re: Changing the mount motion rate...
#Guiding
Roland Christen
There is not a way to do it with the CP3.
Roland
-----Original Message-----
From: robert.saint.jean@... To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Sat, Sep 4, 2021 8:52 pm Subject: [ap-gto] Changing the mount motion rate... #Guiding Hi,
I am using a AP 900 GTO mount, CP3 and keypad. The project I am involved in ask that I do a scan of the Sun with a spectrograph at various speed. Using the keypad or the ASCOM interface, I currently scan the Sun at 1X and 12X. Is there a way to get the mount to scan the Sun at 6X or 4X ? Thanks ! Robert -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics
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Re: Keypad not beeping
fernandorivera3
I think the only time I hear mine beep is when I confirm a RCAL aka "recalibrate" on an object.
Fernando
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Re: CP4 not creating a COM port...
Cheng-Yang Tan
Hi Khushrow
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
The main board may have come loose from its socket. See this topic:
On Monday, September 6, 2021, 1:26 AM, Khushrow Machhi via groups.io <kmachhi@...> wrote:
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CP4 not creating a COM port...
Khushrow Machhi
I have had my CP4 box for about a year, and have been using it with my 1100GTO with AE. Tonight for the first time I am not able to connect to my CP4, when I plug it into a USB port there is no indication of a connection being made and when I check device manager there is no COM port being generated. I have tried multiple cables and also tried to make a connection with two other laptops. No success and no com port being generated when I check in device manager. Is there something else I can check or could the COM port have become defective?
Thanks, Khushrow
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