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Guy on Crowdy Nights needs help
Roland Christen
I want to help this user, but I am not on CN, so if anyone on our user group can reach out to him, I have the answer to his problem below.
I am having trouble tracking with my AP Mach1 mount. I am using Maxim DL, and I have set the "autoguider output control" to "telescope."
I am able to "sort of track" for an hour or so with round stars, but then it becomes impossible once the telescope has pointed much higher in the sky.
Calibration. My biggest problem is the complete inability to calibrate successfully. When I try to calibrate, I get an angle between the x and y axes that is far, far from 90 degrees. It is more like 130 degrees. So I assume that the lack of calibration is at the heart of my difficulties.
I have tried to balance carefully, with the tube balanced first.
lantosque
Hello,
The problem is quite simple, and you are correct that inability to calibrate will cause guiding problems. Anyone who has used MaximDL for guiding will know that Maxim is notorious for starting the calibration on one star in the field and then switch to another star half way thru the calibration procedure. This produces a bogus calibration. If you are not aware of this and try to use this calibration, then guiding accurately is impossible.
The key is to find a suitable star field that has one dominant bright star so that the program doesn't mix it up with another star in the field. You have to watch carefully during the calibration to make sure that Maxim has not switched stars. I have even seen the program switch from a star to a bright noise pixel.
So, if any of your Astronuts is also on CN, can you please let him know the above, and encourage him to come on this AP group.
Thanks,
Rolando
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Re: Crayford style focuser for Vario-Finder 10x60 ; 61x250 f/4.1
Roland Christen
What is your current feeling about using the Baader Vario-Finder as a guide scope? The Vario finder works great as a guide scope with most short focus refractors, like the TEC 140.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: CurtisC via groups.io <calypte@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Thu, Oct 15, 2020 6:24 am Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Crayford style focuser for Vario-Finder 10x60 ; 61x250 f/4.1 Rolando: For a long time I used the Baader Vario-Finder as a guide scope with my TEC140ED (FL = 1035 mm with flattener). The guider is an SX Superstar. The Vario-Finder bracket (the one you sell) is mounted to the body of the focuser (Starlight Instruments 3545). A brief email exchange with Howard a couple of months led me to go back to using the build-in OAG on my QSI 683 ("Why are you using a guide scope?"). As part of my re-evaluation of my guide settings and techniques and other matters, I've pored through hundreds of messages in this forum, going back to the forum's beginning in 2000. There was some commentary about the Baader guide scope when you introduced it to the A-P product lineup back in 2013, but there hasn't been much since then. What is your current feeling about using the Baader Vario-Finder as a guide scope?
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Re: Unguided imaging and atmospheric refraction
Ray Gralak
Hi Allen,
What is the non refracted pole?Yes. Both PEMPro and APPM (in APCC Pro) will calculate polar alignment to the refracted pole. -Ray Gralak Author of PEMPro Author of APCC (Astro-Physics Command Center): https://www.astro-physics.com/apcc-pro Author of Astro-Physics V2 ASCOM Driver: https://www.siriusimaging.com/apdriver -----Original Message-----
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Re: Crayford style focuser for Vario-Finder 10x60 ; 61x250 f/4.1
CurtisC <calypte@...>
Rolando: For a long time I used the Baader Vario-Finder as a guide scope with my TEC140ED (FL = 1035 mm with flattener). The guider is an SX Superstar. The Vario-Finder bracket (the one you sell) is mounted to the body of the focuser (Starlight Instruments 3545). A brief email exchange with Howard a couple of months led me to go back to using the build-in OAG on my QSI 683 ("Why are you using a guide scope?"). As part of my re-evaluation of my guide settings and techniques and other matters, I've pored through hundreds of messages in this forum, going back to the forum's beginning in 2000. There was some commentary about the Baader guide scope when you introduced it to the A-P product lineup back in 2013, but there hasn't been much since then. What is your current feeling about using the Baader Vario-Finder as a guide scope?
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Re: Crayford style focuser for Vario-Finder 10x60 ; 61x250 f/4.1
Robert Chozick <rchozick@...>
The helical focuser adds no extra length since you move the tube in further to accomodate it. The tube ends exactly in the same place as before inside of the extension at the end and is much easier to focus.
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
Adding a Crayford focuser will make the system unstable (flex) and defeat the purpose of the finder as a guide scope. Rolando -----Original Message----- From: George <george@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Sent: Wed, Oct 14, 2020 4:21 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Crayford style focuser for Vario-Finder 10x60 ; 61x250 f/4.1 Bob, As a reminder, the Baader finder uses the locking ring and lens as a fine focuser. Regards, George George Whitney Astro-Physics, Inc. Phone: 815-222-6538 (direct line) Phone: 815-282-1513 (office) Email: george@... From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> On Behalf Of Woody Schlom Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2020 3:02 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Crayford style focuser for Vario-Finder 10x60 ; 61x250 f/4.1 Bob, I don’t know about a Crayford style focuser, but Baader makes nice helical focusers for the Vario-Finder. The one I have is a 1.25” eyepiece holder with helical focuser built into it. Unfortunately I’m not home now and can’t give you the Baader part number. But it’s NOT the stock one that comes with the Vario-Finder. As I recall it’s T2 thread at the scope side – so it just threads on. And unlike another 1.25” adapter for that scope from Baader, this one has a much longer 1.25” throat – so eyepieces or camera nosepieces don’t wobble nearly as much as Baader’s very short 1.25” adapter. Woody From: main@ap-gto.groups.io [mailto:main@ap-gto.groups.io] On Behalf Of Robert J. Bridges Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2020 12:31 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: [ap-gto] Crayford style focuser for Vario-Finder 10x60 ; 61x250 f/4.1 Hi All, I would like to replace the sliding focuser on my Vario-Finder (10x60; 61x250 f/4.1) scope with a Crayford style focuser. Does anyone have a suggestion? Thanks, Bob -- Robert J. Bridges Professor Physiology and Biophysics Chicago Medical School 3333 Green Bay Rd North Chicago, Il 60064 Office: 847 578 3273 Cell: 847-271-7944 bob.bridges@... Robert Chozick
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Re: Crayford style focuser for Vario-Finder 10x60 ; 61x250 f/4.1
Roland Christen
Adding a Crayford focuser will make the system unstable (flex) and defeat the purpose of the finder as a guide scope.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: George <george@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Sent: Wed, Oct 14, 2020 4:21 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Crayford style focuser for Vario-Finder 10x60 ; 61x250 f/4.1 Bob,
As a reminder, the Baader finder uses the locking ring and lens as a fine focuser.
Regards,
George
George Whitney
Astro-Physics, Inc.
Phone: 815-222-6538 (direct line)
Phone: 815-282-1513 (office)
Email:
george@...
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Woody Schlom
Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2020 3:02 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Crayford style focuser for Vario-Finder 10x60 ; 61x250 f/4.1 Bob,
I don’t know about a Crayford style focuser, but Baader makes nice helical focusers for the Vario-Finder. The one I have is a 1.25” eyepiece holder with helical
focuser built into it.
Unfortunately I’m not home now and can’t give you the Baader part number. But it’s NOT the stock one that comes with the Vario-Finder. As I recall it’s T2 thread
at the scope side – so it just threads on. And unlike another 1.25” adapter for that scope from Baader, this one has a much longer 1.25” throat – so eyepieces or camera nosepieces don’t wobble nearly as much as Baader’s very short 1.25” adapter.
Woody
From:
main@ap-gto.groups.io [mailto:main@ap-gto.groups.io]
On Behalf Of Robert J. Bridges
Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2020 12:31 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: [ap-gto] Crayford style focuser for Vario-Finder 10x60 ; 61x250 f/4.1 Hi All,
I would like to replace the sliding focuser on my Vario-Finder (10x60; 61x250 f/4.1) scope with a Crayford style focuser.
Does anyone have a suggestion?
Thanks,
Bob
--
Robert J. Bridges
Professor Physiology and Biophysics Chicago Medical School 3333 Green Bay Rd North Chicago, Il 60064 Office: 847 578 3273 Cell: 847-271-7944 bob.bridges@...
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Re: Crayford style focuser for Vario-Finder 10x60 ; 61x250 f/4.1
George
Bob,
As a reminder, the Baader finder uses the locking ring and lens as a fine focuser.
Regards,
George
George Whitney Astro-Physics, Inc. Phone: 815-222-6538 (direct line) Phone: 815-282-1513 (office) Email: george@...
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Woody Schlom
Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2020 3:02 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Crayford style focuser for Vario-Finder 10x60 ; 61x250 f/4.1
Bob,
I don’t know about a Crayford style focuser, but Baader makes nice helical focusers for the Vario-Finder. The one I have is a 1.25” eyepiece holder with helical focuser built into it.
Unfortunately I’m not home now and can’t give you the Baader part number. But it’s NOT the stock one that comes with the Vario-Finder. As I recall it’s T2 thread at the scope side – so it just threads on. And unlike another 1.25” adapter for that scope from Baader, this one has a much longer 1.25” throat – so eyepieces or camera nosepieces don’t wobble nearly as much as Baader’s very short 1.25” adapter.
Woody
From:
main@ap-gto.groups.io [mailto:main@ap-gto.groups.io]
On Behalf Of Robert J. Bridges
Hi All,
I would like to replace the sliding focuser on my Vario-Finder (10x60; 61x250 f/4.1) scope with a Crayford style focuser.
Does anyone have a suggestion?
Thanks, Bob
-- Robert J. Bridges
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Re: Crayford style focuser for Vario-Finder 10x60 ; 61x250 f/4.1
Woody Schlom
Bob,
I don’t know about a Crayford style focuser, but Baader makes nice helical focusers for the Vario-Finder. The one I have is a 1.25” eyepiece holder with helical focuser built into it.
Unfortunately I’m not home now and can’t give you the Baader part number. But it’s NOT the stock one that comes with the Vario-Finder. As I recall it’s T2 thread at the scope side – so it just threads on. And unlike another 1.25” adapter for that scope from Baader, this one has a much longer 1.25” throat – so eyepieces or camera nosepieces don’t wobble nearly as much as Baader’s very short 1.25” adapter.
Woody
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io [mailto:main@ap-gto.groups.io] On Behalf Of Robert J. Bridges
Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2020 12:31 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: [ap-gto] Crayford style focuser for Vario-Finder 10x60 ; 61x250 f/4.1
Hi All,
I would like to replace the sliding focuser on my Vario-Finder (10x60; 61x250 f/4.1) scope with a Crayford style focuser.
Does anyone have a suggestion?
Thanks, Bob
-- Robert J. Bridges
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Re: Crayford style focuser for Vario-Finder 10x60 ; 61x250 f/4.1
Robert Chozick <rchozick@...>
I put a ZWO 1.25 helical focuser on mine. It works great.
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
Robert
On Oct 14, 2020, at 2:37 PM, Robert J. Bridges <bob.bridges@...> wrote:
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Crayford style focuser for Vario-Finder 10x60 ; 61x250 f/4.1
Robert J. Bridges
Hi All, I would like to replace the sliding focuser on my Vario-Finder (10x60; 61x250 f/4.1) scope with a Crayford style focuser. Does anyone have a suggestion? Thanks, Bob Robert J. Bridges Professor Physiology and Biophysics Chicago Medical School 3333 Green Bay Rd North Chicago, Il 60064 Office: 847 578 3273 Cell: 847-271-7944 bob.bridges@...
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Re: Unguided imaging and atmospheric refraction
Allen Ruckle
Ray,
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
What is the non refracted pole? Using refraction correction while polar aligning? aruckle
On Sep 20, 2020, at 12:43 PM, Ray Gralak <groups3@...> wrote:
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Re: Mach2 Unguided imaging results from last night
CurtisC <calypte@...>
On Tue, Oct 13, 2020 at 01:25 PM, uncarollo2 <chris1011@...> wrote:
However, if you are using APCC Pro (APPM) then just do an automated all-sky model. Doesn't take long.But you aren't using APPM for this project, are you?
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Re: Mach2 Unguided imaging results from last night
That is about what I am doing with my all sky models Ray - between 45 and 50 - with my short focal length setup and small pixel setup. Most of my imaging is done at either 530 mm [~1.5 arc sec/pixel] or at about 380 mm [`2.05 arc sec/pixel].
My images are only 240 sec. max though. APPM plate solves using SGP and PS2 only take one or two seconds each. Only occasionally do I run into a long solve and it is a rare occasion that I get a failed solve. So APPM runs pretty fast on my laptop. -- Dean Jacobsen http://astrophoto.net/wp/ Image Gallery - http://astrophoto.net/wp/image-gallery/ Astrobin Image Gallery - https://www.astrobin.com/users/deanjacobsen/ Amateur Radio Call Sign - W6DBJ
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1600 Worm Damage?
Mike Shade
A couple of questions...in PemPro, what would a damaged first generation 1600GTO RA worm look like, in the data? Is there a way to tell? What about tracking?
If it is suspected that the worm is damaged, is there a solution?
I would really like to replace with the newest "self adjusting" gearboxes, is this possible, regardless of potential damage.
Greasing with scope pointed north over mount, some wind and a inattentive helper...not a good day.
Mike J. Shade Mike J. Shade Photography:
In War: Resolution In Defeat: Defiance In Victory: Magnanimity In Peace: Goodwill Sir Winston Churchill Already, in the gathering dusk, a few of the stars are turning on their lights. Vega, the brightest one, is now dropping towards the west. Can it be half a year since I watched her April rising in the east? Low in the southwest Antares blinks a sad farwell to fall... Leslie Peltier, Starlight Nights
International Dark Sky Association: www.darksky.org
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Re: Mach2 Unguided imaging results from last night
Bill Long
That really depends more on the scope you are using vs the modeling software and encoder system. On a refractor you can get extremely long subs with a very small model. On an SCT you can build very large models if you desire but the nature of those scopes can
limit the exposure length on their own.
I personally use an 82 point model for all of my imaging. That seems to work perfectly well for me. The only problem I encounter is the lag in plate solving due to APPM not supporting lighter weight plate solving solutions like ASTAP or PS2.
-Bill
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Larry Phillips <llp41astro@...>
Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2020 2:01 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach2 Unguided imaging results from last night Rolando, any suggestions on how many data points (in general) should be enough with APPM?
Larry
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Re: Mach2 Unguided imaging results from last night
Ray Gralak
Rolando, any suggestions on how many data points (in general) should be enough with APPM?It depends on the equipment you are using, especially repeatability. With only 42 points last night I was able to get 30-minute unguided images in several different sections of the sky with just a pixel or so trailing with my A-P Traveler and STT-8300. I'm waiting for a couple adapters from Precise Parts to push the limits since the STT-8300 I recently bought on Astromart has a full set of narrowband filters. My San Jose skies would blow out my unfiltered images in 30 minutes, so that limited the duration that I could test. -Ray Gralak Author of PEMPro Author of APCC (Astro-Physics Command Center): https://www.astro-physics.com/apcc-pro Author of Astro-Physics V2 ASCOM Driver: https://www.siriusimaging.com/apdriver -----Original Message-----
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Re: Mach2 Unguided imaging results from last night
I suspect that the answer would depend on the focal length or pixel scale that you are imaging at.
-- Dean Jacobsen http://astrophoto.net/wp/ Image Gallery - http://astrophoto.net/wp/image-gallery/ Astrobin Image Gallery - https://www.astrobin.com/users/deanjacobsen/ Amateur Radio Call Sign - W6DBJ
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Re: Mach2 Unguided imaging results from last night
Roland Christen
Ray would be the best to answer that one.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Larry Phillips <llp41astro@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Tue, Oct 13, 2020 4:01 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach2 Unguided imaging results from last night Rolando, any suggestions on how many data points (in general) should be enough with APPM?
Larry
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Re: Mach2 Unguided imaging results from last night
Larry Phillips
Rolando, any suggestions on how many data points (in general) should be enough with APPM?
Larry
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Re: Mach2 Unguided imaging results from last night
Roland Christen
If the object is on Dec 60, then opposing dec lines would be 50 and 70.
However, if you are using APCC Pro (APPM) then just do an automated all-sky model. Doesn't take long.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: diogenes ofsinope <ofsinope@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Tue, Oct 13, 2020 1:19 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach2 Unguided imaging results from last night Sorry ... I pushed Reply before typing out my question for Roland and/or other unguided imagers:
Given Roland's scenario of M52/Bubble, these "opposing Dec lines" would be what exactly? I'm looking to replicate your quick point data modelling for my non-permanent 1100GTOAE setup with APCC/APPM.
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