· Get a Cloudy Nights T-Shirt · Submit a Review / Article Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums Privacy Policy | Please read our Terms of Service | Signup and Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu… uh, User You are not logged in. [Login] Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online FAQ · Calendar Astrophotography and Sketching >> Beginning and Intermediate Imaging Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Pages: 1 Hilmi Carpal Tunnel Reged: 03/07/10 Loc: Muscat, Sultanate of Oman CCD Autopilot Improved my imaging a lot       #5433816 - 09/22/12 02:40 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Last night, I ran my first scripted session using CCD Autopilot and I used the automatically calculated dithering parameters. I will be posting the image later today after I have processed it, but I have to say that it is probably the best image I have ever taken. The dithering parameters totally eliminated the moire pattern that was plaguing my images and the entire imaging session was painless. I got it started, I left it on its and went to bed. In the morning I came back and all the imaging was done including sky flats and all I had to do was close down the observatory. I am disappointed that the scope when done parked itself right where it was when it finished taking the flats. This was pretty close to the direction the sun was rising from and it would have resulted in the sun shining directly into the OTA had I woken up late to shut down. I don't think this was supposed to happen. I would have assumed a park command would have made my Gemini 2 park the scope at counter weight down position. Overall, I think CCD Autopilot is now in my list of mandatory required software for imagers who actually need to get some sleep. Post Extras:       Hilmi Carpal Tunnel Reged: 03/07/10 Loc: Muscat, Sultanate of Oman Re: CCD Autopilot Improved my imaging a lot [Re: Hilmi]       #5434182 - 09/22/12 10:44 AM Attachment (32 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   OK, here is the image I got using CCD auto pilot. The focal length is very short is which is the reason why the stars are so round although the image is unguided. I'm still having difficulty guiding with my 8" LX200R as my imaging scope, although the problem has been seriously reduced by purchasing the upgraded clutch knobs to help with tightening down the clutch. edit: This image was taken using my TV60is 360mm scope Edited by Hilmi (09/22/12 12:14 PM) Post Extras:       Mike7Mak Pooh-Bah Reged: 12/07/11 Loc: New York Re: CCD Autopilot Improved my imaging a lot [Re: Hilmi]       #5434242 - 09/22/12 11:21 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hi Hilmi. Good to see you're back at it. That's pretty impressive for unguided and unattended. How the heck are you getting that 8" LX200 down to 400mm/f2? Post Extras:       Hilmi Carpal Tunnel Reged: 03/07/10 Loc: Muscat, Sultanate of Oman Re: CCD Autopilot Improved my imaging a lot [Re: Mike7Mak]       #5434265 - 09/22/12 11:35 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   By using my piggy back TV60is scope :P Post Extras:       Mike7Mak Pooh-Bah Reged: 12/07/11 Loc: New York Re: CCD Autopilot Improved my imaging a lot [Re: Hilmi]       #5434275 - 09/22/12 11:42 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Lol, ok that explains alot. Post Extras:       Hilmi Carpal Tunnel Reged: 03/07/10 Loc: Muscat, Sultanate of Oman Re: CCD Autopilot Improved my imaging a lot [Re: Mike7Mak]       #5434324 - 09/22/12 12:08 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I'm planing to add another 4 hours today. That should really bring out the faint details. Tomorrow I will do the RGB run in binned mode to add color. All this and I still get to wake up in time to go to work. Post Extras:       Hilmi Carpal Tunnel Reged: 03/07/10 Loc: Muscat, Sultanate of Oman Re: CCD Autopilot Improved my imaging a lot [Re: Hilmi]       #5448274 - 09/30/12 11:26 AM Attachment (15 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I never did get around to posting the results of my first full LRGB unattended imaging session. Please note that the funny colored stars are due to the binned RGB frames being saturated. I have not figured out how to process that out of the image. Post Extras:       Hilmi Carpal Tunnel Reged: 03/07/10 Loc: Muscat, Sultanate of Oman Re: CCD Autopilot Improved my imaging a lot [Re: Hilmi]       #5448278 - 09/30/12 11:27 AM Attachment (12 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   And this was tagged on in the wee hours of the morning just to see how multiple target acquisition on the same night works out Post Extras:       Hilmi Carpal Tunnel Reged: 03/07/10 Loc: Muscat, Sultanate of Oman Re: CCD Autopilot Improved my imaging a lot [Re: Hilmi]       #5448281 - 09/30/12 11:28 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Even my flats where taken automatically. Neat stuff, isn't it? Post Extras:       Granville Leong sage Reged: 07/27/11 Loc: San Jose, CA Re: CCD Autopilot Improved my imaging a lot [Re: Hilmi]       #5448986 - 09/30/12 06:53 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hilmi, Does the softwre knows what exposure time is needed for the flats. Also, where was your scope pointing at when taking the flats? Granville Post Extras:       Hilmi Carpal Tunnel Reged: 03/07/10 Loc: Muscat, Sultanate of Oman Re: CCD Autopilot Improved my imaging a lot [Re: Granville Leong]       #5449566 - 10/01/12 02:35 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Granville, You set the target ADU for the flats, the minimum exposure time (taking into account shutter effects, the software recommends 3 seconds) and the order in which you want to take the flats (for example, narrow band first) and the software does the rest. I'm getting better flats now than I was getting with my Gerd Nueman EL panel. The EL Panel was just too bright Edited by Hilmi (10/01/12 02:38 AM) Post Extras:       Pages: 1 Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Extra information 8 registered and 4 anonymous users are browsing this forum. 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