dawson Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 I hope this is an OK area to post some questions. If not, I apologise. 1. when setting up my Skywatcher 127 and aligning the goto software onto two stars, I find it difficult to know if the star is exactly in the centre of the visual field. Is there a way to do this better? 2. without using a telescope and just using my camera (EOS 600D), what is the best way to do a star trail around Polaris without getting too much light artefact from the horizon? I've yet to try shooting lots of 30 second exposures and compiling them with some free software I found online, that is my next job for a clear night when I'm not at work the next morning. 3. how do I stop my camera lens misting up when I'm outside at night? 4. what software (ideally freely available) can I use to stack a load of 20 second exposure images of say the Milky Way to get a better depth perception? and does this software auto correct for the fact the frame will have shifted slightly between shots? I was thinking of attaching my camera via the metal plate from its tripod into the telescope mount (without the telescope attached) and using the goto to track (intermittently) the object I was taking photos of. 5. can I get Firefox to check my spelling in these text boxes; I'm dyslexic and rubbish at typing and would like not to have top cut and paste every time into word. Sorry for four questions in one. James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JohnC Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 (edited) Hi James. You can purchase Retical eyepieces to aid alignment. They show an illuminated red cross in the field to aid centring. Will leave the photography questions to the more experienced guys. Software wise have a look at Deepsky stacker and Registax. [color=#ffd700]http://deepskystacker.free.fr/english/index.html [color=#ffd700]http://www.astronomie.be/registax/ Edited August 19, 2012 by JohnC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawson Posted August 19, 2012 Author Share Posted August 19, 2012 So is the ability of the software to align the stacked images called 'derotation'? James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JohnC Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 Not as such. The program automatically matches various points (Stars etc) in the image and aligns them. Some of the imaging people will no doubt be on later and will be able to give you much clearer answers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawson Posted August 19, 2012 Author Share Posted August 19, 2012 OK, thank you. Which of the two software packages above do most people use? I see the first one says it can't be used for planetary stacking; in time I'd like to have a go at imaging Jupiter and Saturn. James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JohnC Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 James Also have a look at this free planetarium program, helps to find your way around the sky. [color=#ffff00]http://www.stellarium.org/ OK, thank you. Which of the two software packages above do most people use? I see the first one says it can't be used for planetary stacking; in time I'd like to have a go at imaging Jupiter and Saturn. James Sorry, Registax is mainly aimed at the planets. Deepsky stacker at the fainter objects, galaxies nebulae etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawson Posted August 19, 2012 Author Share Posted August 19, 2012 Pat, thanks. What is the fundamental component of the anti-dew mechanism? The flowerpot or the MDF? How does it work? James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brantuk Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 Registax is used primariy for stacking hundreds or thousands of frames from a webcam - this is ideal for capturing planets cos you allways get several good frames between "seeing" conditions (atmospheric disturbance that makes planets seem to wobble). You capture odd frames where it's dead still which is down to short exposure and speed.. Deep Sky Stacker is more appropriate for Deep Sky Objects (dso's) and aids aligning and stacking of frames taken by long exposure (eg 5 or 10 mins per exposure). You'll need a very accurate equatorial mount - polar aligned - and guiding and tracking to achieve the accuracy required for pixel perfect imaging. I use IE so not sure what Firefox has for your requirements. It's a bit long winded but you could allways compose a message in MS Word with spell checking switched on then copy/paste into a forum posting. Todd8137 (Pat) may be able to help on that cos he has a similar requirement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawson Posted August 19, 2012 Author Share Posted August 19, 2012 John, that planetarium software is great. I've gone a bit dizzy now spinning it around too much! Thanks for that. A worthwhile download. JD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brantuk Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 Pop your co-ords into Stellarium and it will show the night sky above your actual location Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawson Posted August 19, 2012 Author Share Posted August 19, 2012 Blimey - you guys weren'#t wrong about rapid replies! The Retical eyepieces look expensive! Is there somewhere I could buy a second hand one? DO other people use them, or just cope with slight inacuricies when aligning the scope first thing in the evening? I don't have a equatorial mount so I will be limited to much shorter exposures. Is it possible to get some deep space imaging done with more shots at shorter exposure? I'd be more than happy to get macro views of the Milky Way like this: />http://astronomy2009.nasa.gov/images/observe/jul/milkyway.jpg James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JohnC Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 This is the main site for secondhand stuff. />http://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawson Posted August 19, 2012 Author Share Posted August 19, 2012 Two more questions: 1. is there a way to fine tune the focus on my Skywatcher 127? It just seems to focus knob is just a bit too harsh, and it feels like it is missing a fine focus knob. 2. when I attach my camera to my telescope via the specialist ring connector (which screws ont the telescope and clips into the camera where a lens would go), if everything is nice and tight, the camera is often at an odd angle, say 45 degree, and to get it level with the horizon say, the whole set up isn't that tight. Is there a way around this? James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JohnC Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 For a better feel to the focus you can use one or two different methods. A clothes peg can be placed on the focus knob to give a lever. this allows finer focusing. If clearances permit, people cut a hole in a plastic bottle lid and place this on the knob. the larger diameter permits a finer focus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawson Posted August 19, 2012 Author Share Posted August 19, 2012 John, Have you got any images to show how either of those methods work? Just stick a clothes peg at right angles to the telescope? James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JohnC Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 Yes thats right. Get course focus and then put the peg on it allows fine movements. Will try and get a couple of pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawson Posted August 19, 2012 Author Share Posted August 19, 2012 Ah I see. I can now appreciate how the peg works. I'm not sure I understand the plastic bottle idea though; sounds very Heath Robinson James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JohnC Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 Pics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawson Posted August 19, 2012 Author Share Posted August 19, 2012 Ok, I understand. I'll go and have a look and see how much room there is to play with; I don't think there's a lot. James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JohnC Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 I am sure that other SW 127 owners will be along to give you assistance in due course james Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawson Posted August 19, 2012 Author Share Posted August 19, 2012 Thanks Pat. I need to invest in a big plant pot first, I did some repotting the other day and I think the ones I've got are too small. I'll also have a go at the 30 second interval idea, I hadn't thought about letting the kit cool down between shots. I'm gutted I've got to be up early tomorrow else I'd get out there later when it's darker and have a play around. Another night. James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawson Posted August 19, 2012 Author Share Posted August 19, 2012 It is looking very clear. Stuff it, I'm going to get ready for work now, then pop out for an hour or so at 10 and try and do some photography (star trail series) if at all possible, then process them later in the week. Have to seize the opportunity I guess. James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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