Catanonia
28th of May 2009 (Thu), 13:06
Firstly many many thanks to all those that have helped a very keen and quick learning newbie on this new addictive hobby. (you b****ds :)) Can't believe I have moved so quick....
Only joking
Ok what I have coming (or picking up in the next few days) will be.
1. Skywatcher ED80 scope
2. Sony DSLR A700 attached to the scope for imaging. (Already have this with lenses etc)
3. EQ5 mount with motors and controller.
4. COAA WinComputer that allows you to control everything from your laptop including point and click on a starmap for goto with sidereal tracking or any user defined tracking. This also allows scripting langauge to be used to program any number of sequences into the unit and directly control the mount.
5. Web cam mounted on top of the scope for eyes. Just placed on top the scope to check roughly where the scope is pointing before taking a snap shot with the camera and moving to remote COAA starmapping Goto
6. Old laptop with DLSR connected via remote software and for controlling the COAA. Laptop also has WiFi
So basically I can set it up in the garden / field and sit in my home office and view via the webcam as if I was stood in the field what is happening as well as wirelessly controlling the laptop to goto star locations and of course action the DSLR remotely to take subs of where I want to take them. If I get lazy I can program it to take long subs of 8 or 9 locations during the night whilst I sleep in my bed all by script. All of the files can be auto sent to my office larger more powerful PC and scipted into a stacker and processed for when I wake up in the morning. :)
Just need to find a way of remotely taking dark and grey subs to be totally automated... any ideas other than kicking the wife out of bed to put the lens cap on the scope :)
Effectively a live view and imaging remote telescope with imaging and guidence controlled from the warmth my office with auto data transfers and processing all via WiFi. Al
So many thanxs to Chris, Baz and Tim to mention a few that talked me out of spending £700 on a Meade 125 that would have effectively been pants and money down the drain :) I owe you a beer or two if we ever meet up. Especially Baz (Align) for his website that explained many things. After reading about wedges and alignment of alt scopes I was so glad I didn't go down that route :) Meade Goto's are for kids at christmas hence so many of them on ebay ;) Ooops I feel I am stepping out of my newbie box :)
Hopefully the mount i have got will allow me to upgrade my scope in size as and when the time requires. Knowing me about 1 month :)
I spose all that is left is to put a shed (observatory) in the garden with power and have a pernament remote observatory that I can control from my home office whilst i work during the day / night. Don't laugh, I am already thinking about it......
Will post pictures and hopefully a thread on the setup to add back what I have taken from the forum in advice for any other newbies.
So a good setup or have I gone over board. Setup costs without the DSLR are £700 second hand, but nearly new.
Only joking
Ok what I have coming (or picking up in the next few days) will be.
1. Skywatcher ED80 scope
2. Sony DSLR A700 attached to the scope for imaging. (Already have this with lenses etc)
3. EQ5 mount with motors and controller.
4. COAA WinComputer that allows you to control everything from your laptop including point and click on a starmap for goto with sidereal tracking or any user defined tracking. This also allows scripting langauge to be used to program any number of sequences into the unit and directly control the mount.
5. Web cam mounted on top of the scope for eyes. Just placed on top the scope to check roughly where the scope is pointing before taking a snap shot with the camera and moving to remote COAA starmapping Goto
6. Old laptop with DLSR connected via remote software and for controlling the COAA. Laptop also has WiFi
So basically I can set it up in the garden / field and sit in my home office and view via the webcam as if I was stood in the field what is happening as well as wirelessly controlling the laptop to goto star locations and of course action the DSLR remotely to take subs of where I want to take them. If I get lazy I can program it to take long subs of 8 or 9 locations during the night whilst I sleep in my bed all by script. All of the files can be auto sent to my office larger more powerful PC and scipted into a stacker and processed for when I wake up in the morning. :)
Just need to find a way of remotely taking dark and grey subs to be totally automated... any ideas other than kicking the wife out of bed to put the lens cap on the scope :)
Effectively a live view and imaging remote telescope with imaging and guidence controlled from the warmth my office with auto data transfers and processing all via WiFi. Al
So many thanxs to Chris, Baz and Tim to mention a few that talked me out of spending £700 on a Meade 125 that would have effectively been pants and money down the drain :) I owe you a beer or two if we ever meet up. Especially Baz (Align) for his website that explained many things. After reading about wedges and alignment of alt scopes I was so glad I didn't go down that route :) Meade Goto's are for kids at christmas hence so many of them on ebay ;) Ooops I feel I am stepping out of my newbie box :)
Hopefully the mount i have got will allow me to upgrade my scope in size as and when the time requires. Knowing me about 1 month :)
I spose all that is left is to put a shed (observatory) in the garden with power and have a pernament remote observatory that I can control from my home office whilst i work during the day / night. Don't laugh, I am already thinking about it......
Will post pictures and hopefully a thread on the setup to add back what I have taken from the forum in advice for any other newbies.
So a good setup or have I gone over board. Setup costs without the DSLR are £700 second hand, but nearly new.