Mach1 rotated on pier - good idea?
Nick Iversen
I'm building a pier and I'm thinking of rotating the Mach1 so that it's not vertical anymore and the altitude angle is set at 70 degrees. That should give me more imaging without meridian flips. If I put a 130GTX on it and I'm at latitude 36 degrees then how much more of the sky can I view without meridian flips? I can't do the calculations. 10 degrees more would be good but not worth the trouble. 20 degrees would be worth it. The calculation might be easy - 70 degrees minus 36 degrees but it obviously depends on the length of the pier extension.
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Re: GTOCP4 Firmware Question
Peter Nagy
If you haven't seen the revision history, it's at:
https://www.astro-physics.info/tech_support/mounts/cp4-update/cp4-cp5-ver-hist.pdf Your firmware version is quite behind. Peter
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GTOCP4 Firmware Question
Richard Benoit
The GTOCP4 on my Mach1 is currently at firmware version VCP4-P01-14. I was wondering if any Mach1 users had upgraded to the latest firmware and what benefits they felt it provided. Thanks.
Richard
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Re: Tripod for 1100GTO
fl.lusen
Thanks
-----Original Message-----
From: Manusfisch via groups.io <tjfischer653@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Mon, Sep 5, 2022 1:09 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Tripod for 1100GTO Sorry Fred I forgot to include these are on the Losmandy website under accessories
TJF Mobile
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Re: Tripod for 1100GTO
Sorry Fred I forgot to include these are on the Losmandy website under accessories
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
TJF Mobile
On Sep 5, 2022, at 13:59, fl.lusen via groups.io <fl.lusen@...> wrote:
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Re: Tripod for 1100GTO
TJF Mobile
On Sep 5, 2022, at 13:59, fl.lusen via groups.io <fl.lusen@...> wrote:
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Re: Tripod for 1100GTO
fl.lusen
Bob,
Any chance you can post a picture of the slip on feet so we can see what we are looking for?
Fred
-----Original Message-----
From: rtlangland <rtlangland@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Mon, Sep 5, 2022 11:44 am Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Tripod for 1100GTO For those considering or ordering the Losmandy HD tripod, I have one for my AP 1100 and I ordered three “glow” in the dark slip on pads for each of the feet of the tripod. This helps during the evening to see where the feet are located and also protects the feet of the tripod from bumps and scratches to the aluminum feet. I have also found them useful if I am on a concrete pad and need to “bump” the feet for slight adjustments when doing polar alignment. I do not remember exactly where I bought them but I am sure that one can find an astronomy store that carries these "slip-on feet”.
Bob Langland
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Re: Tripod for 1100GTO
rtlangland
For those considering or ordering the Losmandy HD tripod, I have one for my AP 1100 and I ordered three “glow” in the dark slip on pads for each of the feet of the tripod. This helps during the evening to see where the feet are located and also protects the feet of the tripod from bumps and scratches to the aluminum feet. I have also found them useful if I am on a concrete pad and need to “bump” the feet for slight adjustments when doing polar alignment. I do not remember exactly where I bought them but I am sure that one can find an astronomy store that carries these "slip-on feet”.
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
Bob Langland
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Re: How hot is too hot?
#Mach2GTO
fernandorivera3
Leaving the mount exposed to the sun on a daily basis will get any black anodized parts turn to a weird brown or purple "patina"
Have no idea what it will do to the off white paint; it will probably change to a different tone of white from the UV blast each day. I would put a TeleGizmos 365 series cover over it or at minimum maybe a large lawn umbrella above the Mach 2 GTO. Fernando
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Mach2 and M31
midmoastro
Just more praises for the Mach2 and how quick and easy it is to setup and use. Thanks to everyone that makes this possible as it makes me smile each time I use it.
A couple nights ago I took the Mach2 out and set it up in the yard and connected everything. Yes, wires dangling. I balanced the Takahashi FC-100DZ doublet, FC35 reducer, and ASI 2600MC Pro and performed a PA routine in NINA. After that I slewed to M31 at 30 degrees altitude, plate solved to center, and started shooting. The first couple of shots I was working with backspacing issues as Nina Hocus Focus still says I am off about 48 steps (need to add backspace) but I see some mixed results with it. In my haste, I removed the spacers and started shooting M31 (you can see it in a corner or two) Below is the results of just a little over one hour with no darks, flats, or dark flats added yet. On another note, I think I'm starting to get a better understanding of Pixinsight. Here is the link: https://www.astrobin.com/full/mh62jc/0/ But I like the high res version better.: https://www.astrobin.com/full/mh62jc/0/?mod=&real= Todd
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Re: AP900GTO CP2, Ascom v2, NINA, PHD2
David Messier
Dale,
I just found it. Attached. David Messier
H 860-376-8833
C 860-823-8820
-----Original Message-----
From: Dale Ghent <daleg@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Fri, Sep 2, 2022 4:12 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] AP900GTO CP2, Ascom v2, NINA, PHD2 Can you provide the NINA log file from an example session so we can see what's going on from NINA's point of view? > On Sep 2, 2022, at 15:36, David Messier via groups.io <dpmessier=aol.com@groups.io> wrote: > > Ray, > > Yes it does, slews the mount, NINA slews the mount to target, but I don't think I have manual control except park. When I tried to guide with PHD2, the mount stops tracking. This is with 5.50.3. > > David P Messier > 860-823-8820 > > On Fri, Sep 2, 2022 at 1:16 PM, Ray Gralak > <iogroups@...> wrote: > David, > > > That was in 5.21, no error message, appeared to connect but wasn't. Connect and disconnect within a second. > > As a test, does the AP Jog utility, which is included with the driver, connect to the mount and stay connected? > > -Ray > > > > > > >
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Eagle Nebula
Howard Ritter
This is from my stack of 15 x 180s unguided (phenomenally lucky for 3000 mm FL with only polar scope alignment!) subs from the Bortle-3 Maine Stargazing and Photography Retreat. Not happy with the sharpness and resolution as manifested by the bloated stars and soft detail in the Pillars of Creation. Focus was manual but couldn’t have been far from best achievable.
I have noticed that if I’m close to the tube while it’s tracking, I can hear the tube faintly “singing” at a fixed frequency. I assume that the cogging of the drive servos is resonating with the tube. Could this be causing the spiculated images I see when trying to focus on a bright star and the bloated star images I get from the camera? When I get it set up again back home, I’ll experiment with turning the drive off and see what happens. Meade 16” SCT w/Optec FF/TC on AP GEM, Nikon D810A, no filter. —howard
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Re: 1100GTO and NINA -- Meridian Flip Failure
#APCC
So I tested the flip again this evening. This time I set long exposures on my camera to make sure the flip time would be within the exposure time range. NINA did what I expected. Since the next 20 minute exposure would contain the flip time and meridian limits NINA executed the flip early. Once again the whole process executed flawlessly. So I am at a loss as to way the initial problem occurred. Computers and software; gotta love them :)
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Re: How hot is too hot?
#Mach2GTO
AaronW
Excellent! Thanks for the quick response. I absolutely love this mount!
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Re: How hot is too hot?
#Mach2GTO
Roland Christen
The mount won't care until the temp hits 140, and maybe even then it might not care. I have my mounts in Hawaii inside an observatory which gets baked in the sun all day, mounts, keypads and CP controllers. When the outside temps are in the mid 90's, the inside of the observatory is well over 100F. My 170 refractor bakes in it too, as well as my 305 Honders. They have never complained. I'm always amazed after such baking, the 175 is ready to go within 45 minutes after sunset when the outside temp has dropped to around 78F. So much for triplets not cooling down.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: AaronW <aaron.wilhelm@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Sat, Sep 3, 2022 5:00 pm Subject: [ap-gto] How hot is too hot? #Mach2GTO I live in Santa Monica CA where we’ve had a heat advisory for the past couple days and ambient temps is around 90F.
I’ve been imaging in the backyard at night, and in order to save time during polar alignment, I’ve just left my Mach2 sitting on the pier during the days. It’s now occurred to me that letting it bake in the hot sun all day (uncovered) might not be very smart…what says the group? How hot is too hot for the Mach2? Note that the CP5 and my OTA are all inside staying cool. Best, Aaron -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics
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Re: RAPAS attachment issue with new 1600 mount
Roland Christen
That screw holds an interconnect board to the inside of the back plate. Just remove 3 screw that hold the back plate on the axis, unscrew the screw, put a washer under it and screw it back on (or use a shorter screw). It may be that the assembler forgot to put a washer under it - I will check on Tuesday when people return to the factory. I would not use a Dremel to shorten it. Don't worry about removing that back plate - there is nothing critical back there.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Cadwell <mikecadwell@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Sat, Sep 3, 2022 4:28 pm Subject: [ap-gto] RAPAS attachment issue with new 1600 mount Hello All,
I am having an issue with attaching a RAPAS to my 1600 mount. In the photo below you can see the Alignment holes for the RAPAS at 12 and 6 o'clock. However, there is also the end of a silver colored screw protruding from the backplate of the mount between the two Alignment holes. This protrusion sticks out about 1 mm and does not allow the RAPAS to seat flush with the mount backplate. It is not a button screw and there is no way to remove it with allen wrenches or pliers. I don't think this should be there and I'm thinking that I could grind it down flat with a Dremel to smooth out the surface. I know this will mar the surface but that's okay. But, wanted to make sure this should not be there before proceeding. Any other ideas would be much appreciated! Thanks, MikeC. -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics
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How hot is too hot?
#Mach2GTO
I live in Santa Monica CA where we’ve had a heat advisory for the past couple days and ambient temp is around 90F.
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RAPAS attachment issue with new 1600 mount
Mike Cadwell
Hello All,
I am having an issue with attaching a RAPAS to my 1600 mount. In the photo below you can see the Alignment holes for the RAPAS at 12 and 6 o'clock. However, there is also the end of a silver colored screw protruding from the backplate of the mount between the two Alignment holes. This protrusion sticks out about 1 mm and does not allow the RAPAS to seat flush with the mount backplate. It is not a button screw and there is no way to remove it with allen wrenches or pliers. I don't think this should be there and I'm thinking that I could grind it down flat with a Dremel to smooth out the surface. I know this will mar the surface but that's okay. But, wanted to make sure this should not be there before proceeding. Any other ideas would be much appreciated! Thanks, MikeC.
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Re: 1100GTO and NINA -- Meridian Flip Failure
#APCC
>>>
I think NINA wouldn't get into that situation as I think it wouldn't have started the exposure and thus execute the flip earlier, but never later. I don't know about NINA, but it's possible in SGP. there are settings to avoid that (e.g., wait for meridian), but it depends on which sequencer in NINA you are using and how it's configured
On Fri, Sep 2, 2022 at 8:59 PM Michael 'Mikey' Mangieri <mjmangieri@...> wrote: Well, I tried to recreate the issue with the meridian flip this evening. I used 33 Cyg instead of IC 1396 so that I could start the sequence earlier (it has a similar DEC and so should mimic the same flip.) I just watched the sequence complete the flip flawlessly and then continue imaging the star post flip. Go figure. No problem at all this time! I may still post this conversation to discord later. --
Brian Brian Valente astro portfolio https://www.brianvalentephotography.com/astrophotography/ portfolio brianvalentephotography.com
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Re: 1100GTO and NINA -- Meridian Flip Failure
#APCC
Well, I tried to recreate the issue with the meridian flip this evening. I used 33 Cyg instead of IC 1396 so that I could start the sequence earlier (it has a similar DEC and so should mimic the same flip.) I just watched the sequence complete the flip flawlessly and then continue imaging the star post flip. Go figure. No problem at all this time! I may still post this conversation to discord later.
I wonder if NINA was in the process of taking the 300 sec exposure and the limit was reached during that time if that could cause the problem? But I think NINA wouldn't get into that situation as I think it wouldn't have started the exposure and thus execute the flip earlier, but never later.
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