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Derek,
a nice capture. I’ve just acquired similar equipment with the help of William Stewart and I’m in the process of setting it up. I Just need to get a nice focus, and settings but the weather is against me at the moment.
Hope to join the team any night now
Eric
Tim,
my comments would be the same as Peter’s. I have a C14 and I find the lack of access to the zenith and it’s vicinity rather a problem and interferes with time series exposures. I would also appreciate a larger aperture . I don’t know what present models are like, but I would hope the access to the zenith would have improved. My dome is manually operated and being some years old and ex-demo the newer automated system does not work with it.
Good luck,
Eric
Hi Andy,
thanks for the explanation. In that case I shall review my use of forum and in the meantime remove my profile. Maybe a bit OTT
Regards,
Eric
Hi Mark,
I collaborate with a BAA team working on post common envelope SdB type binaries. I’ve alerted them to your request, I’m sure we can provide you with a target from our list.
Eric
Whilst I have no input to assist with this request I would be interested in the outcome which hopefully could be posted here and maybe even followed up by a suitable letter of paper in the journal. Such items sometimes have remarkable histories attached to them.
Eric
Hi Jeremy,
certainly one that I’m interested in Josch mentioned it to me a few months ago but I waited until the programme appeared. A busy time for me and I need a new passport, but will look into the possibility. Interesting programme.
Eric
Hi Nick, I use Windows 10 professional which directly installed and MaxIm 6.14 and experience no difficulties in using it so far, though I may migrate to other telescope control software now.
Eric
Hi Paul,
In the end I got my self a new NUK system (Gigabyte Brix) with Windows 10 professional installed which is dedicated to the observatory. I had to re-install all of the software, but now I know it is all up to date. It is so small that I’m able to quickly disconnect it and bring it in after observing should I wan too. Rather expensive, but I was tired of older used re cons giving up the ghost after a couple of years. So far it seems ok, but I’ve not had that much observing done.
Eric
That’s great news Nick and thanks to all those involved in the recording.
Looking very much to viewing them.
Eric
Thanks, Andy, Peter and Paul,
at the end of a nights’s session I can barely keep my eyes open and I have always taken a new set of flats and corresponding darks. I actually have a medical problem of not getting enough sleep which is getting to be a problem. If I was simply imaging I would’t bother, but as I do a lot of photometry the flats may have been an issue. I’ll try experimenting and see if there is any difference. Peter’s experience seems promising.
Many thanks,
Eric
Hi Andrew,
I use my camera via MaxIm i.e. imaging, exposure sequences, focus and point here functions. I prefer them to those available on the Sky X. Sky X have changed and improved some of these functions so perhaps I may give them another try.
Eric
Andy,
thanks, that’s encouraging to know. I believe that on windows 10 professional the auto updating can still be turned off, but not on the home versions.
I’d be interested in your Ascom settings for Phd2 and the ACOM The SkyX controlled telescope. I understand that with the lodestar as auto guider the camera to mount cabling is no longer required. Also if you still guide with Maxim DL what type settings you use to link to the guide camera.
Maybe you could contact me off forum.
Eric
Hi Paul,
some of my problems may have been related to having older re-con machines. I’m trying out anew NUC machine with windows 10 and will see how that goes. Software Bisque have just introduced a Linux based “The Sky X prof”, also Astroart& has a Linux version. but as you say the other software I use in conjunction with it have not.
I shall see how I get on with the new set up for the time being.
Cheers,
Eric
I’d tend to go along with you Mark, there are enough known exoplanets which amateurs can work on under the guidance of professionals or as well organised, international groups to detect additional planets or other facets of a system.
Eric
Robin, thanks for pointing out that paper I missed it.
Stan Waterman’s survey was one I had been thinking of and I had been in touch with him last year. He has many folded light curves including minima of many new variables, including eclipsing binaries. The problem is following up to determine a period and ephemeris. There are a couple of his objects I’m particularly interested in with regard to exoplanets.
Eric
Whilst I agree with Dominic’s general comments with regard to Roger’s enthusiasm I believe it to still be possible for amateurs to discover exoplanets. Less sophisticated projects such as Kelt North and South are finding them. Amateurs could set up similar type of surveys – I’m in the process of doing so. Hardware is straight forward, but finding the software to collect and interrogate the long term time photometry series is a bit of a problem.
I have seen two such simple surveys that have turned up numerous new variable stars and I think suspect exoplanets. TESS has also reached out to amateurs to chase up suspect candidates to weed out false +ves and period determination.
So whilst I agree it is a challenge I think hot Jupiter discoveries could be possible. Though not in the same field, despite all the surveys being carried out super nova, asteroids and comets are still being discovered by amateurs
Regards,
Eric
Hi Paul,
I had similar problems when I first started on exo-planets. Initially I took longer in getting underway than I had anticipated and hence did not have enough egress lead in time, sometimes I would even start imaging after the egress point. This past week the auto guider has decided not too auto correct tracking for some reason, even though I had changed nothing from the working sessions before. Irrespective of any number of calibration sequences I now make it goes of on it’s drunken man’s walk about.
Incidentally, which exo are you trying.
Eric
Exactly my thoughts Robin.
I too thought this was a BAA meeting organised for it’s members. Certainly a larger venue would allow for the attendance of more members. I would like to attend next year’s one which I think has Exoplanets as it’s topic. If I can’t get into that one then after 51 years unbroken membership I would have to reconsider my position as a member.
However, if wee not careful this thread could descend to the unfriendly depths found on other forum sites.
Eric
