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Re: Through the mount cables on the AP-1200
Kent Kirkley
Stu:
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Even if you have a permanent observatory, internal routing of cables is not always the advantage it might seem. It is time consuming and the number and size of cables can be limiting. If not carefully done it can cause slewing and tracking problems. If you want to change something or remove or add a cable it is not easy. I have both an AP1200GTO and a Paramount ME and have found it easy to control cables externally with no snagging. Kent Kirkley -----Original Message-----
From: sforster12 <SHFORSTER1@...> To: ap-gto@... Sent: Sat, Sep 11, 2010 2:16 pm Subject: [ap-gto] Re: Through the mount cables on the AP-1200 Thanks for the reply. Guess I'll just wait for my number to come up for the next run of 1200's. STU --- In ap-gto@..., chris1011@... wrote:
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Re: Through the mount cables on the AP-1200
sforster12
Thanks for the reply.
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Guess I'll just wait for my number to come up for the next run of 1200's. STU --- In ap-gto@..., chris1011@... wrote:
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Re: How close is close enough?
primeclash
--- In ap-gto@..., kgkirkley@... wrote:
No, I use the guide chip on the SBIGs (I'm upgrading from the ST-2000XM). RGB imaging so far, but at some point I will want to do NB but I'll address that when the time comes. I suspect LP will become the issue long before 30 minutes :-) Thanks for your help. Regards, Louis Marchesi New London Twp, PA |
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Re: How close is close enough?
Kent Kirkley
That's 'plenty' close and should suffice.
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At that level you can do 30 minute subs with no problem. (of course, with the ST-10XME you might be more limited by blooming, unless you are doing narrow band) Hopefully you don't intend to image unguided? Kent Kirkley -----Original Message-----
From: lmarchesi <lmarchesi@...> To: ap-gto@... Sent: Sat, Sep 11, 2010 11:37 am Subject: [ap-gto] How close is close enough? I searched the group archives, I really did ;-) I did my first iteration (with PEMPro) tuning my polar alignment for my 1200GTO in my observatory. IIRC I got to about 0.8 and 0.3 arc-mins for azimuth and altitude, respectively. Then, having a new observatory and being all excited to get to imaging I moved on :-) Good enough? So far I've only done 5-min subs (autoguided). I know there's some trig out there that will tell me when my misalignment will rear its ugly head but we have a 10-month old and I haven't had an uninterrupted night's sleep in about ... 10 months. Please help. I'm using a 1200mm f/l scope, about to put my ST-10XME (about 43x29 mins FOV) into service. Regards, Louis Marchesi New London Twp, PA ------------------------------------ To UNSUBSCRIBE, or for general information on the ap-gto list see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gtoYahoo! Groups Links |
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How close is close enough?
primeclash
I searched the group archives, I really did ;-)
I did my first iteration (with PEMPro) tuning my polar alignment for my 1200GTO in my observatory. IIRC I got to about 0.8 and 0.3 arc-mins for azimuth and altitude, respectively. Then, having a new observatory and being all excited to get to imaging I moved on :-) Good enough? So far I've only done 5-min subs (autoguided). I know there's some trig out there that will tell me when my misalignment will rear its ugly head but we have a 10-month old and I haven't had an uninterrupted night's sleep in about ... 10 months. Please help. I'm using a 1200mm f/l scope, about to put my ST-10XME (about 43x29 mins FOV) into service. Regards, Louis Marchesi New London Twp, PA |
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Comet 103P Getting Noticeably Brighter Every Night!
dennis_persyk <dpersyk@...>
Comet 103P Hartley 2 in Andromeda is currently at magnitude ~ 9.5.
My images and Seiichi Yoshida's latest light curve data are here http://users.FoxValley.net/~dpersyk/new.htm and I hope you will take a look. The light curve promises naked eye magnitude in just a couple of months. Clear skies, Dennis Persyk Igloo (Now Roll-Off) Observatory Home Page http://users.FoxValley.net/~dpersyk Hampshire, IL Pier Design http://users.FoxValley.net/~dpersyk/Pier_Design.htm |
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Re: ap1200 alignment
primeclash
--- In ap-gto@..., "Randy" <rzugnoni@...> wrote:
I might be a bit late chiming in here, but ... I recently installed my 1200GTO "permanently." I'm surprised no one has mentioned the PEMPro Polar Alignment wizard. I'll just add that although the OP didn't specifically mention GPS it's a non-issue especially in an observatory. I had a GPS connected to another mount; while cool and all to set one's location automatically it's just not necessary. I set the lat/lon for my observatory exactly once. Done. Regards, Louis Marchesi New London Twp, PA |
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Through the mount cables on the AP-1200
sforster12
Roland,
Are there any plans to modify future runs of 1200 mounts to allow cables to be run through the shafts, such as on the Mach 1 and 3600's? Thanks STU |
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Re: Through the mount cables on the AP-1200
Roland Christen
In a message dated 9/11/2010 11:23:00 AM Central Daylight Time,
SHFORSTER1@... writes: Roland,It woudl take a total redesign of the mount to accomplish that. Rolando |
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Re: ***Re: ap1200 alignment
Kent Kirkley
There seems to be a slowly developing concept, probably due to the automation of everything, that one has to have
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all kinds of software and GPS to polar align a mount, German equatorial or not. I think many people have the idea it is some sort of 'black art' or they are afraid of it. That is simply not the case. In fact, it would be an excellent learning experience and exercise for any beginner to manually drift align his mount. It is a simple procedure and after doing it you will have a better understanding of what the software, etc. is doing. It is a simple procedure and can be carried out in well under an hour after you've done it a few times. Yes, the level of support is an added plus. Kent Kirkley -----Original Message-----
From: Randy <rzugnoni@...> To: ap-gto@... Sent: Fri, Sep 10, 2010 7:34 pm Subject: ***Re: [ap-gto] ap1200 alignment Hi. I am a beginner as far as astrophotography is concerned. From what I've researched the AP mounts are very advanced mechanically which is probably the most important. It seems that the software is lagging that somewhat. I will be placing this on a permanent pier so the lengthy alignment routine might not matter so much. My big thing is the level of support that I've seen from AP vs the company that I am dealing with now. --- In ap-gto@..., "Jeffrey A. Steinberg" <jeffreys48.groups@...> wrote: beginners. It is the most accurate as you state. the inGTO QSDM (Quick Star Drift Method)? This is an excellent method for zeroing zoneon the pole; works great for my 1200 GTO every time (-: needed.information. andYou then tell the mount To goto Polaris (with the menu key in the routine) boththen mechanically adjust to center and repeat this procedure (with the 2nd mountcentered in the EP on the goto's. +after polar alignment. The Celestron CGE will automatically go to two stars extra alignment stars to make the goto feature more accurate for acquiring ------------------------------------ To UNSUBSCRIBE, or for general information on the ap-gto list see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gtoYahoo! Groups Links |
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Re: For Sale: Astro-Physics 130mm EDF "Gran Turismo"
Anthony Ayiomamitis <anthony@...>
PS. Two points of interest about all-nighters: (1) do not process your data since the brain is not working on all cylinders and (2) do not post messages to the group about good pricing when the brain is not working on all cylinders! :-)
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I somehow thought the asking price was $1000 lower than what is listed. My bad. O/H Anthony Ayiomamitis : Gents, |
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For Sale: Astro-Physics 130mm EDF "Gran Turismo"
Anthony Ayiomamitis <anthony@...>
Gents,
Something which may be of interest and note the reasonable mark-up and especially in lieu of the price increase the other day by $300 from AP: http://www.astromart.com/classifieds/details.asp?classified_id=699152 .... if it wasn't for the AP305 astrograph notification, I would be all over this one! Anthony. |
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Re: ***Re: ap1200 alignment
Jeffrey A. Steinberg
I disagree that the software lags. It doesn't have a GPS terminal but there are third party packages to solve that and even an iPhone had GPS with DMS output. Just enter it into the mount and your good to go. I will gladly take mechanical abilities of the A-P mount with the software included than a less stable mount with more "startup" automation, especially for permanently mounted rigs.
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----------------- Jeffrey Steinberg 914-374-7503 On Sep 10, 2010, at 8:34 PM, "Randy" <rzugnoni@...> wrote:
Hi. I am a beginner as far as astrophotography is concerned. From what I've researched the AP mounts are very advanced mechanically which is probably the most important. It seems that the software is lagging that somewhat. I will be placing this on a permanent pier so the lengthy alignment routine might not matter so much. My big thing is the level of support that I've seen from AP vs the company that I am dealing with now. |
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Re: ***Re: ap1200 alignment
fernandorivera3
Hello, Randy
I consider myself a "beginner", too. I was used to the alt-az Celestron NexStar 11 GPS SCT for several years. I took delivery of my AP 1200 GTO on mid July 2009 (the 1200 GTO is the first GEM I have used/owned). I have tried the different polar alignment procedures as discussed in the manual. I find the GTO Quick Star Drift Method to be an excellent procedure for quick polar alignment, **even for beginners**. Currently, my setup is portable and visual only, not ccd imaging. So I highly recommend the "QSDM" for your 1200 GTO. And yes, the support from Astro-Physics is of course second to none (-: Best regards, Fernando ________________________________ From: Randy <rzugnoni@...> To: ap-gto@... Sent: Fri, September 10, 2010 7:34:41 PM Subject: ***Re: [ap-gto] ap1200 alignment Hi. I am a beginner as far as astrophotography is concerned. From what I've researched the AP mounts are very advanced mechanically which is probably the most important. It seems that the software is lagging that somewhat. I will be placing this on a permanent pier so the lengthy alignment routine might not matter so much. My big thing is the level of support that I've seen from AP vs the company that I am dealing with now. --- In ap-gto@..., "Jeffrey A. Steinberg" <jeffreys48.groups@...> wrote:
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed] |
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***Re: ap1200 alignment
Randy <rzugnoni@...>
Hi. I am a beginner as far as astrophotography is concerned. From what I've researched the AP mounts are very advanced mechanically which is probably the most important. It seems that the software is lagging that somewhat. I will be placing this on a permanent pier so the lengthy alignment routine might not matter so much. My big thing is the level of support that I've seen from AP vs the company that I am dealing with now.
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--- In ap-gto@..., "Jeffrey A. Steinberg" <jeffreys48.groups@...> wrote:
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Re: ***Re: ap1200 alignment
Jeffrey A. Steinberg
He sounded like a beginner and that routine is not, in my opinion, for beginners. It is the most accurate as you state.
----------------- Jeffrey Steinberg 914-374-7503 On Sep 10, 2010, at 3:44 PM, Fernando Rivera III <fernandorivera3@...> wrote: Hello, I know this is a late response to the question posted. Why not use the [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] |
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***Re: Question about Pulse Guide and the AP 3600
fernandorivera3
Hi, Ray
Just wondering if you know more or less when APCC will be available??? Regards, Fernando ________________________________ From: Ray Gralak <groups@...> To: ap-gto@... Sent: Sun, September 5, 2010 10:52:07 PM Subject: RE: [ap-gto] Question about Pulse Guide and the AP 3600 Hi Pat, You would need to measure the tracking rate at each new position in the sky using PulseGuide. In addition to PulseGuide the new AP V2 driver can set the tracking rate although it doesn't provide any direct way to measure the needed tracking rate. The upcoming Astro-Physics Command Center will have a pointing model (similar to TPoint or MaxPoint) and tracking rate modeling (similar to ProTrack). -Ray Gralak Author of PEMPro: http://www.ccdware.com Author of Astro-Physics V2 ASCOM Driver: http://www.gralak.com/apdriver Author of PulseGuide: http://www.pulseguide.com Author of Sigma: http://www.gralak.com/sigma -----Original Message-----much advanced reading as I can. The mount will be an upgrade for a Bisque Parmount, whichmount will not be transported, but will be set atop an ATS pier in a roll-off roof observatory.siderial rate is at zenith. He notes that "Ray Gralak's Pulse Guide will allow you to dial in ansky." recommended amount, does Pulse Guide "know" how much to off-set for a given part of the sky, orat least 250 stars to work well. That's kind of a hassle, but after that is set up, itpart of the sky. Does Pulse Guide have this capacity, or is it necessary to measure each time? [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] |
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***Re: ap1200 alignment
fernandorivera3
Hello, I know this is a late response to the question posted. Why not use the
GTO QSDM (Quick Star Drift Method)? This is an excellent method for zeroing in on the pole; works great for my 1200 GTO every time (-: Regards, Fernando ________________________________ From: Jeffrey A. Steinberg <jeffreys48.groups@...> To: "ap-gto@..." <ap-gto@...> Sent: Sun, September 5, 2010 10:11:17 PM Subject: Re: [ap-gto] ap1200 alignment It works somewhat differently. First you enter your lat and long and time zone information. You have your choice of two star alignment or polar plus one star (I use Altair). In the second scenario you manually move the Scope to Altair and then center it mechanically. A good redicule EP is needed. You then tell the mount To goto Polaris (with the menu key in the routine) and then mechanically adjust to center and repeat this procedure (with the 2nd through Nth gotos on Altair being slewed by the mount) until you can get both centered in the EP on the goto's. You can then goto your hearts content. This is all laid out in the manual for the go-to software. ----------------- Jeffrey Steinberg 914-374-7503 On Sep 5, 2010, at 8:31 PM, "Randy" <rzugnoni@...> wrote: Could someone tell me what routine the software uses to align the AP1200 mount |
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Re: Pempro 1.7 AP edition and maxim 5?
Ray Gralak <groups@...>
Hi Jeff,
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Yes, PEMPro APSE 1.7 will work with MaximDL V5. -Ray Gralak Author of PEMPro: http://www.ccdware.com Author of Astro-Physics V2 ASCOM Driver: http://www.gralak.com/apdriver Author of PulseGuide: http://www.pulseguide.com -----Original Message-----(Personally I'd expect maxim 5 to be backward compatible on the API hence my question.) |
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Pempro 1.7 AP edition and maxim 5?
Jeff Crilly <jlc@...>
Does anyone know if pempro 1.70 AP edition (only works with AP mounts) will work with Maxim DL/CCD version 5?
The pempro AP edition docs say "maxim 4" is required, but I suspect that was written before maxim 5 was out. (Personally I'd expect maxim 5 to be backward compatible on the API hence my question.) (maybe this is a question for the maxim list but I thought the AP specific experience would be here.) I just would like to save some time not configuring it all up if it is known to not work. Thx jeff |
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