7 replies to this topic

[sjanarth]

I'm looking to setup a small remote observing site (so far all my imaging has been in our backyard or a road trip).

 

I'm looking for options to automate/control the lens cap of my Celestron Edge HD 11 -- what options do I have?

 

Additionally, if this solution can also help me take flats (double up as a flat panel), that'll be awesome.

 

Any suggestions?

[zveck]

That's a tall order. Hire an undocumented worker while you still can. JK

[Zambiadarkskies]

Primaluce do a big automated flat panel/cover in big sizes.  It is going to hurt the wallet though.... 

[sjanarth]

Thanks, Gilmour. Exactly what I was looking for and you are right, its a bit pricey -- will need to sell some of my old gear to invest in this !!

[archiebald]

DeepSkyDad might be worth looking at...if they have something large enough.

Most of their stuff is 3D printed, so they might even be able to customize something.  I've had some good interaction with them in the past.

[TOMDEY]

If you're into building stuff, such things are relatively easy... around a 2 or 3 on a 1-10 scale of difficulty. The advantage is reducing the cost by an order of magnitude and (especially) customizing exactly to your application. Here's a marginally-related motorized cap that I built for my "roof-cam" --- small, but same concept. Adding auto flat-fielding reasonably meh. My work involved design and build of satellites... so we were always building these extremely remote observatories. Naturally carries over to amateur astronomy hobby.

 

The Observatories and Equipment fora frequently contain active discussions on these kinds of challenges.

 

Anyway, for fancy provisions as little cost... build rather than buy is a great option. Decades ago this was far more common, even most common. Worth considering and opportunity to develop new skills.   Tom

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[maxsid]

Wandererastro.com has automated flat panels from small to up to 15" (380mm) in size

[Myk]

 

This is how I solved this exact problem. I trimmed my dew shield to rotate down into a wooden flat box. The box has an LED flatpanel so when the time is right I slew down 30deg from a set park position then I take all my calibration frames from there, flats, darks and bias.

 

The only problem I've encountered is that on some particularly dewy nights the dew shield and flat panel can get pretty wet so I move to a 20deg down position until everything is dry (the roof can be shut in that position) , then another 10 degrees to do the calibration later on.

 

Cost: Flat panel, Solenoid (to switch the flat panel brightness) and ply and other scrap wood.. about $80.

Edited by Myk, 30 November 2024 - 09:37 AM.