[Mr Paul Richard Spurr]

Bill, I asked Orion Optics to regrind an 8.5″ mirror (I’d had the home made Newtonian on its end for a while and the diagonal fell onto the main mirror – an expensive mistake – I won’t be doing that again!) and then re-silver. The accuracy claims were very good, although I’ve no means to prove it subsequently.

However, I found the people there very offhand, arrogant even. That was c. 6 years ago so they might have changed out.

Your mirror looks (and weighs) amazing! By the way when my mirror came back it was only half the original thickness!

Good luck. Paul

[Mr Paul Richard Spurr]

OK Ade,  I understand. 

It is a very good little program. Well Done.

Thanks, Paul

[Mr Paul Richard Spurr]

David, I would appreciate that “walk through” you offered given you’ve been using ASICap.

I’m completely new to Asto Imaging so please allow for that in your jargon|!

Thanks in anticipation, Paul

[Mr Paul Richard Spurr]

William, that pdf looks very useful while I wait the Correct Manual. Thank you for ALL your help,

kind regards, Paul

[Mr Paul Richard Spurr]

William, ASIStudio downloaded to my MacBook Air, then I picked the subset ASICap (for Planets) which came up with a sort of “greyed out” dashboard. I have NO idea how to use it! Consequently I searched around the ZWO site for an eManual with no joy at all. could you once again point me in the right direction?

Best, Paul

[Mr Paul Richard Spurr]

William your quote “If you are uncomfortable running unfamiliar developer tools and software on a computer where security is important then to get started I would recommend using the ZWO supplied planetary imaging software for mac, you can find it at the bottom of the ASI camera software download page under the mac software tab, Capture Software, Planetary Imager”

I did exactly that ca. a week ago AND nothing seemed to “RUN”. Thats when I turned to the README File and it talked about changing Shell / setting up a Library first – that I got bogged down in and hence wrote to the BAA.

I very much appreciate your warning about SECURITY.

Your Addendum has cheered me up re. the new Software release from ZWO. I’m off to see if I can get ASI Studio to work.

I will, of course, let you know.

Many Thanks, Paul

 

[Mr Paul Richard Spurr]

William, sorry about the hiatus in responding. Once again I appreciate all your effort – I’ll send you a proper response tomorrow.

Many thanks, Paul

[Mr Paul Richard Spurr]

Paul, thanks also for your suggestions.

Please see my reply to William. It’s all sounding way too complex. Arhhh.

[Mr Paul Richard Spurr]

William, many thanks for all your effort and advice. Tbh it all sounds even more daunting now!

Things were looking good till I got to your 4th para  – I’d be worried about Security.

My Mac runs OS 10.11.6 (El Capitan) so does that mean I have the same problem as you mentioned with Catalina?

I like the idea of partitioning and running Windows as a workaround – the only problem is my whole HDD is only 250Gb!

Sorry, but I do not understand the language in your last para – what does “notarised” mean…I fear I just won’t know WHAT to do.

I just want to acquire data with the ZWO 290MC. I’m a Physicist not an IT whizz!

Anyway, many thanks, Paul

[Mr Paul Richard Spurr]

Attachment NOW attached below…

[Mr Paul Richard Spurr]

*

[Mr Paul Richard Spurr]

The FireCapture ReadMe File (screenshot attached) says I need the “Libusb” library (whatever that is!) on my MAC. 

I started out (not knowing what I’m doing!) changing the MAC to the ‘zsh shell’. It then states open the “Terminal Program” – I don’t know what this is…and am getting cold feet. Can you help Callum or indeed anyone else. Thanks, Paul

[Mr Paul Richard Spurr]

Eric, thank you – I  will contact them 1st…!

[Mr Paul Richard Spurr]

Thanks Callum. The ZWO Website was not too convincing, hence the question.

Sounds like I should start simple (connected) and then think about it. I was planning on planetary images to start with hence this camera choice. I’ve never done any Astrophotography. I see you have an Advance course coming up, but I think I need the Beginner or at most Intermediate. Do you know if there are any such plans? 

Anyway your tips are a very good starting point, Paul

[Mr Paul Richard Spurr]

thanks Steve.

[Mr Paul Richard Spurr]

Thank you Nick & Alex.

I’m new to the BAA and did a BIT of a search and saw there was quite a lot on the subject. I guess with the post I was wondering if there was any up-to-date “solution”. Nick, I will definitely seal the concrete – always intended to, but ran out of Summer and thought it might be too late temp. wise. I’ll check what B&Q have and at what temps. the products can be deployed. The problem with dehumidifiers and heaters is electricity cost of course – perhaps I could put up an array of solar panels – that CAPEX sounds expensive! Paul

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