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Hi Jack,
Do you want to use the mount to do any deep sky imaging? Both links are to Alt-Az mounts which will not be suitable for astrophotography as they will introduce field rotation, unless you use a very short exposure. Alt-Az mounts are fine for visual observing.Peter
Hi Michael,
I’ve had my equipment at e-Eye for the last 5 years and am very satisfied. They’re friendly and very professional. The site is great with excellent accommodation if you choose to go out there for a visit. You rent an individual observatory space and get control of your own roof. https://www.e-eye.es/en/hosting/
Please contact me if you want my experiences.Attachments:
Hi Jack,
From the left, the first numbers are the size of the image open in the PC window in pixels. This is shown by default.
The percentage is the zoom ratio of the image displayed on the PC window. This is shown by default.
The two figures in brackets are the x and y coordinates of the cursor on the image. This is displayed if the Maxim Information window is open. To open go to View/Information window.
The last figure is the value of the pixel under the cursor. This is only shown if the Maxim Information window is open.Hope that helps.
PeterHi Jack,
Open the Tpoint module from the Telescope tab on the top line of the SkyX window. (the telescope mount needs to be connected). Go to the Calibration tab in the TPoint window. In the top right, you’ll see a drop-down menu from the Pointing data button. Select Export and save the file in a safe place. If you need to use the saved file you go the same route but click on Import in the pointing data drop-down menu. See attached screenshot.Peter
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Hi Gary,
Do you take SQM meter readings of your home sky? I’d be interested to know what you think is an average and good night from your location.
I consider my sky to be pretty bad living in a SE Essex city location next to a regional airport. Generally, I get a SQM reading of about 19.0 on a reasonable night at about 3am, the darkest part of the night. I really good night can be SQM 19.3. I have moved my main instrument out to Spain to do most of my comet observations, but before it went out there I could still image mag 18.5 comets even through my bright sky.I thought you did an excellent job David. Let’s hope the Committee made good use of all that evidence.
I observed on fewer nights in 2023 than in recent previous years, partly due to unusually poor weather in May and September at my remote observatory in Extremadura, Spain. Numbers were also down because there were more times when I was away from home or doing other things.
Here are my observing statistics:
……………………………………..2023…..2022
Number of nights I observed….102……117
Number of comets observed…….71…… 90
Comet images submitted………453……502
Astrometry to the MPC………1350…..1420
Photometry to COBS………….412……472Let’s see what 2024 brings. Happy New Year everyone!
PeterA rather troubling storyline, but does show off the observatory well. I noticed your name in the closing credits.
PeterYes indeed! I’m seeing a five magnitude increase in just 24 hours. The comet was mag 10.0 at Nov 14.85. See my image here https://britastro.org/observations/observation.php?id=20231115_182423_a28e0b17670bfdcf
Hi Jack,
You can publicise an event here on the forum. The BAA webpage for future events is reserved for BAA events and other selected associated events. The page is not open for the membership to post to.Peter
Yes, a good meeting, good company, and quality accommodation.
The location also enabled members to attend from a wide part of the country.
Thanks to all those involved in the organisation.Peter
As an astronomer, Anges Mary Clerke might have preferred the first clear spell to be named after her, which is probably more rare than a storm in that part of Ireland!
Hi Jack,
I’m not a PhD2 user but can see there are several tutorials on YouTube for setting up the software and hardware. Have you watched any of those?
I searched for “setting up phD2” in YouTube, have a look there.Peter
Yes, Russ Crowmans BlurXterminator does seem to do a good job. I used it for the first time together with RC’s StarXterminator to process my C/2022E3 comet image here https://britastro.org/observations/observation.php?id=20230126_165855_917730cc9af3bb9a I’m also new to Pixinsight so the processing was very time-consuming and I guess could have been done better with more practice.
Thank you for posting that video Denis. I’ve never seen an observatory like that before, it gives me all sorts of ideas!
I must put Peltier’s Skylight Nights on my list of things to read, as rather embarrassingly I never have.Peter
Hi James,
I’ve sometimes had issues with DSS that I’ve never understood…it’s not just you!
It could well be that the comet centroid is being biased by the nearby field star. DSS is not very clever and needs a well-defined comet movement between each frame to distinguish it from the background stars. Try stacking the first, last and middle frames of the series and see if that makes any difference.
Good Luck
Peter
