got some gear now, tips on arrangement/setup/software please

[troypiggo]

So my new toys arrived and finally had a chance to unpack and attempt to set it up last night. Sadly, a critical piece (the threaded shaft that screws up from under the tripod head into the base of the mount to hold it down) was missing so I can't fully use it yet. The guy I bought it off forgot to send it with the rest, so it's still on its way. :(

The package is a HEQ5 PRO mount with Sky Scan controller, ED80 refractor and spotting scope, ED100 refractor, a USB guide web cam, a GPUSB guiding adapter, the adapters to attach my 30D, an old laptop and some other little goodies that I don't need to mention at the moment. Photo here (http://piggo.com/%7Etroy/photos/00_equipment/astro/purchase.jpg).

The guy I bought it off had the camera adapter on the ED100, but I understand the ED80 would be better quality for astrophotography, so have moved the adapter to it.

So what do I do with the ED100?

This webcam for auto guiding, I have no idea how that fits into things. Do you just point the webcam at the sky, or am I supposed to aim it through a scope? Sorry for the dumb question.

I've read that a highly recommended autoguiding software package is PHD and it works well with the GPUSB adapter, so I guess that's the software to use for autoguiding?

What other software do you recommend I use, and what will I need? Stacking software I've seen is Deep Sky Stacker and Registax, so I have both of those and will test.

I also found Cartes du Ciel.

I saw this link of a HUGE number of applications (http://www.pierpaoloricci.it/download/downloadsoftware_eng.htm), which you might find useful. But I was just overwhelmed and need help narrowing it all down.

[FarmerDave8N]

So my new toys arrived

Congrats!


understand the ED80 would be better quality for astrophotography,
Not necessarily better quality, but better suited to AP, as it's faster.


So what do I do with the ED100?
Guide with it.


This webcam for auto guiding, I have no idea how that fits into things. Do you just point the webcam at the sky, or am I supposed to aim it through a scope?
It should go into the scope - most times, the webcam will have an adapter so you put it into the diagonal (or into an extension tube) where an eyepiece would go. You can also use the webcam for planetary imaging.


I've read that a highly recommended autoguiding software package is PHD and it works well with the GPUSB adapter, so I guess that's the software to use for autoguiding?
PHD is great, but it doesn't support webcams - unless the webcam has been modified for long exposures. If it's not, you might check out MetaGuide at http://www.astrogeeks.com/Bliss/MetaGuide/


What other software do you recommend I use, and what will I need? Stacking software I've seen is Deep Sky Stacker and Registax, so I have both of those and will test.
Both are good packages, but they serve different purposes - DSS is for stacking images of stars and DSOs, and Registax is designed for stacking planetary/lunar images.


I saw this link of a HUGE number of applications (http://www.pierpaoloricci.it/download/downloadsoftware_eng.htm), which you might find useful. But I was just overwhelmed and need help narrowing it all down.DSS and the EOS utility are good enough to get started. Once you get past the basics, you can look at Craig Stark's Nebulosity (relatively inexpensive), or Mike Unsold's Images Plus (more expensive, but apparently more full featured) for integrated focus, capture and processing. Chris Venter's DSLRFocus is another option for focus and capture only - it's an older program but he's coming out with a new version in the near future.

Other software: I use CdC, but I also like Stellarium, another free planetarium software. Stellarium can be resource-intensive, and it doesn't have as rich a database (and there are some errors) as CdC, but I find it easier to navigate.

Also, I can't recommend the imaging forums at CloudyNights enough - I've learned tons there - I've "recognized" several members here from over there. :)

Have fun!
David

[troypiggo]

Thanks, David!

Pretty sure the webcam didn't come with an adapter. It's a Philips 900NC webcam. From what I'm reading, using GPUSB and PHD it should work with this setup? I'll look into metaguide anyway.

When you say I can use it for planetary imaging, why would I use it over my 30D? Wouldn't the 30D exceed the webcam's quality?

I guess I just need to get out there and start doing it all. Can't wait for these last parts to turn up...

[FarmerDave8N]

Thanks, David!
Pretty sure the webcam didn't come with an adapter. It's a Philips 900NC webcam.


Hmmm. Ask the guy how he attached it? I've got the same webcam, and mine has an adapter like this one from Agena (http://www.agenaastro.com/Agena-1-25-inch-Webcam-Adapter-p/paar-ag-wcp.htm.).


From what I'm reading, using GPUSB and PHD it should work with this setup?
You're right - that's what I get by going from memory. From the PHD site: "Webcams (short and long-exposure - parallel port, serial port or LXUSB, Windows)." For some reason, I didn't think it handled webcams. My bad.


When you say I can use it for planetary imaging, why would I use it over my 30D? Wouldn't the 30D exceed the webcam's quality?


Most lunar/planetary imagers use webcams because they take hundreds or thousands of frames, then analyze the frames. They then select the best frames and stack and manipulate the resulting stack. It's called "lucky" imaging, because you're trying to capture those moments when the atmosphere is steady enough for a clear, crisp image.

Starizona's pages are good place to start:
http://starizona.com/acb/ccd/software/soft_image_webcam.aspx
http://starizona.com/acb/ccd/advimagingplanet.aspx

They even have a Registax tutorial:
http://starizona.com/acb/ccd/software/soft_proc_registax.aspx

HTH,
David

[troypiggo]

My mistake. Not knowing what to look for last night, but I just checked and there is indeed an adapter there to connect the webcam to the scope. So all good there.

Understand what you're saying now about webcams and planetary imaging. Might hold fire on that sort of stuff for now. Stick with some wider field stuff, practice and get comfortable with that first. All your links are bookmarked here, though ;)