MarkS

I understand that the ASA10 mirrors have a silica coat over the Aluminium. I have used IPA (very pure) with great care after washing, as per the instructions, and have seen no adverse effects. At all stages of cleaning, it is absolutely critical to avoid any rubbing of the surface. DAB, DON'T RUB!!! If there are any small things sticking to the mirror after the washing procedure, leave them. A few little spots are completely inconsequential - a damaged surface is not! I would also recommend that you use a detergent with no perfumes, hand softeners etc. And use it well diluted. You'll still need several washes with distilled water to remove all traces of detergent. Use only distilled water with And don't touch the mirror with bare fingers at any stage! Good luck! Mark

There is an ASA Manual for mirror cleaning where they tell what to use and how to do it Ask ASA support for the Manual. The ASA10N manual tells you how to remove the mirror. My best advice on cleaning mirrors is DON'T unless it is absolutely necessary. No manufacturer will take any responsibility if you damage a mirror while cleaning it. Mark

Many thanks for your comments, Antonio. Mark

Thanks for the comment. Glad you like this image. Mark

I don't make two separate files. Just one - set up using Mouse Grid in the Autopoint screen, left click for points on one side of the meridian, right click for the other. Sequence runs the saved file (I usually use no more than 20 stars) and creates a pointing file for the 20 stars. Hope this helps Mark

PS: I mean't to say "....don't forget to enter 3 or so in the 'Dither' box." Mark

Hi Nigel, I can only partially answer your questions, because I only use MLPT via Sequence Run. In this mode, MLPT is set up by ticking the MLPT box when you set up an exposure sequence in 'Set Exposures' on the Sequence Run screen. You ignore the MLPT button on the main Sequence screen. MLPT will start at the position of the target you are going to image which has been entered via 'Set Targets' on the Sequence Run screen, and it will calculate total exposure time and number of MLPT exposures to be taken based on the settings you entered for 'Exposure distance in Minutes' and 'MLPT iterations' in the Sequence settings screen. If a meridian flip has to be made during the run, Sequence will automatically do this, and calculate the new MLPT path on the flipped-to side. The default settings for 'Exposure distance in Minutes' and 'MLPT iterations' can be left at 15 and 1 respectively. This will generate a MLPT point every 3.75deg along the track. If you are using very long focal lengths you may want to try 2 iterations for higher accuracy corrections, but I've never had the need. (When you 'Set Exposures' don't forget to tick the 'Dither' box.) Hope this helps. Mark

This group of objects is in Sagittarius, not far from M8 and M20. The very bright 'eyebrow' is NGC6559. The complex is variously stated to be about 4000 ly distant and 'at varying distances'. The image was shot through a very transparent atmosphere, but poor seeing - about 3 arc". The maximum SQL reading was only 21.2 - because the Milky Way was so bright! Exposure total 4 hours RGB; ASA10N; G3-16200; DDM85A. Processed in Pixinsight, finished in PS. A synthetic L was made from all subs to produce the final LRGB image.

Hi Antonio, Splendid resolution across this very dense star field. Beautifully processed - as usual! Mark

Very intense! Great image. Mark

Fine detail and great colour, but I don't understand the presence of the rainbow. Mark

Wonderful detail! Mark

Hi George, This thread is available to all - not just beta testers. Mark

Great set of images. If I had to choose only one it would probably be #2, but really they all have their strong points - but I personally like the starless shot least. Mark

Is this forum the appropriate place to be discussing reverse engineering of Autoslew????? Mark

Yes, it's better! Splendid image. Mark

Hi Mike, It seems from what you've said that Superfit is being calculated automatically. If you want to update to 5240 anyway, you must uninstall 5219 first. You just do the uninstall in Windows Programs and Features, which does not remove the program data. When you install 5240 it will ask if Autoslew has run on this computer before. Confirm this and the install will retain your data. There should be no problems with this - I've lost count how many times I've done it. Regards, Mark

Hi Waldemar and Mike, The latest download on the ASA website (not the forum) is 5240. Regards, Mark

Interesting target and a superb rendition. Mark

Mike, I'm not sure about 5219, but with 5240, after running a 21 star pointing file and calculating and saving the configuration, a look at the 'Current Configuration' in Autoslew shows 'Superfit West' and 'Superfit East' data, so I assume that 5240 does perform the superfit automatically... Regards, Mark

Thanks John. The weather here continues to be uncooperative! Mark

Amenophis, Thanks for the comment - I'm still hoping to get the OIII data this month. Mark

Thanks Wojtek. Mark

Splendid image! One of the best of this target I've seen. Mark

Thomas and Antonio, Thanks for the encouragement! Although the next round will be narrow band I am going to wait for the next dark period to get the best image I can Mark