MarkS

Hi Ron, Very clean image. Again, the long exposure pays real dividends. I need patience enhancement.... Mark

As I have already said elsewhere, I too have always had excellent service from ASA. Mark

Yes, I have a new DDM85A with that round com port. Mine was supplied with a lead with a round plug at one end and USB at the other. In the lead there is an intermediate VGA style plug/socket with the electronic converter built in. Regards, Mark

If I use detergent I make a very dilute solution in distilled water - much less than than you would use for dishwashing - using a fragrance free detergent. Then I rinse MANY times with distilled water - It is amazing how many rinses you need to get rid of the residue! For very stubborn spots I use a lens cleaning solution from VisibleDust, applied with a very soft microfibre cloth, with a very gentle wiping action - but only after all loose dust has been removed Mark

Hi John, I can't answer your first question - I always leave the Resolution at the default setting of 3. (I have a vague memory from some time back to the effect that going for a higher resolution was generally not of much value - but I hope someone can answer this, as I, like you, would like to know) Regarding MLPT, I always use it. As my set-up is mobile, I'm careful to get an accurate PA ( Usually, I then go straight to MLPT using the last 3 star config. My standard subs are 5 min for LRGB and 10 - 20min for NB. Non-round stars are not an issue for me - unless something has gone wrong in the above routine! My understanding is (someone will no doubt correct me if I'm wrong!) that MLPT has advantages over a large pointing file, including better performance if there's hysteresis in the system. If I particularly require accurate pointing across the meridian flip, I make and use a 10 or 15 star pointing file before MLPT. I never image more than one target in any one session, so my comments are in that context. However, if you are going to many positions in the sky for short exposures during a session, I imagine MLPT would not be very practical. Mark

Hi Daniel, Nice image! If all else does not quite get you there, you can also adjust star - or any other object colours - on the final stretched Pixinsight image by going to Photoshop and using selective masking and Curves Adjustment Layers in the very powerful and flexible Lab colour space. I find Lab Curves in Photoshop works better for me than it does in Pixinsight. Mark

Thanks Lius and Thomas Mark

Hi Luis, I like this sort of image! This one certainly has the numbers Mark

Thanks Antonio. I was a bit of a find!

From your figures, your telescope has an f ratio close to 4.1. The backfocus from the table in the data for the reducer is 65.5 mm for f/3.8 and 65.4 mm for f/4.5 for an aperture of 250mm. Therefore the backfocus for your set-up should be very close to 65.45 mm. Mark

I presume you have a new key. If so, make sure Autoslew is not running. Then go to C:\Program Data\ASA\Autoslew and delete the BestIC.sqe file. (If it isn't there, you have to set all hidden files to visible) Start Autoslew, and you will be asked to enter a serial key. Enter the new key, press OK and in the window which appears press Yes. Mark

Great image Antonio - very crisp and clean! Mark

With my mobile set-up, at my usual locations, I get physical PA initially within about 10', and after physical trimming via 3star same DEC/ Polar Align routine I'd have thought that with a fixed installation one would get physical alignment down to ~1' or better - recognising that it can be difficult with heavy loads, but not impossible. Mark

No problems detected with DDM60 or DDM85XA, Windows 7

Hi Daniel, I generally get those sort of results above, provided that the Polar Alignment is better than 2 arcmin. I have used superfit on a 21 star config I ran last September, but this config is never used during my Sequence Runs - as I just use the 3 star config from the last PA adjustment each session. Regards, Mark

Hi all, Reading this thread, I'm left with questions as to why all the emphasis on large pointing models. Perhaps my procedures are irrelevant to those with fixed installations, as mine is mobile. However, I never experience tracking or pointing problems with my focal length range between 690 mm and 1710 mm in normal conditions. At the start of each session I must establish Polar Alignment from scratch. After aligning the equipment as closely as I can to the pole, I run 3 star same Dec on the side on which I'm going to start the Sequence Run. After 2 iterations, I usually have PA within 0.5 to 2 arcmin. I then use that 3 star config for the night, and go straight to Sequence Run with MPLT. My standard subframe times are 5 minutes for LRGB, and 10 to 20 minutes for Narrow Band. MLPT usually reports corrections of about 10 to 30 arcsec. over 3 hours. When the subs are registered, there is seldom need to crop the resulting frames, whether or not a meridian flip was involved. I have never had an image compromised by the need for excessive cropping. I have never been able to show myself that a 20 star config. resulted in noticeably improved performance. When I have a fixed installation, I plan to continue with this procedure - except of course PA every time. So I'd like to know how the procedures discussed in this thread will improve my results. Please help! Mark

Thanks Ron

Another rarely imaged subject, this reflection nebula, lit by a bright blue B1V star, is embedded in the large HII region designated RCW27 in Vela. Distance is about 3300light years. This image is a snapshot taken between onset of summer darkness and the arrival of heavy haze - humidity was 89% at ground level. ASA10N in f/6.8 configuration; 2 hours RGB binned X2; Moravian G2- 8300 camera; Astrodon filter set; DDM60. Processed in Pixinsight and Photoshop. Mark

Ian, Thanks for that Regards, Mark

Hi George, I've seen this behaviour with a new DDM85A with absolute encoders. When all is well you just turn the system on and it knows where it is. For no apparent reason mine suddenly forgot. The solution in my case was to clear the config, turn everything off and then re-start. After that it all was OK again - strange! I have no idea what had happened, but the 'fix' is easy. Mark

Impressive image, Thomas. Mark

This rarely imaged reflection nebula lies at RA 7hr 20min 33sec; -24deg 6min. It is listed as having 'moderate' brightness, but it proved to be fainter than I expected. Other than that, I have not been able to find out anything about it. This image was shot with the ASA10N in f/6.8 configuration, and all RGB subs binned X2. Camera Moravian G2-8300. Total time 5hr 15min. Processed in Pixinsight and Photoshop. In addition to the reflection nebula there are some faint HII areas evident. Mark

Hi Ron, The new version certainly shows more detail. Do you think that is largely due to the Drizzle Integration? Mark

Hi Thomas, Very nice image! Mark

Splendid image, Pavel !!! Mark