2 replies to this topic

[PS46]

So, since my last two topics Astrophotography using 6" Newtonian, DSLR, 2x Barlow lens and Astrophotography using 6" Newtonian, DSLR... ― Part 2.

 

Since the last post in Astrophotography using 6" Newtonian, DSL, I've upgraded to this used (or pre-owned, as we now say) mount:

• Sky-Watcher HEQ5 Pro & a Rowan Astronomy Belt Mod. This is what my setup looks like now:

 

This is my new setup:

• Omni XLT150 reflector with upgraded motorized focuser
• Canon 60D DSLR
• Altair MG32 Mini Guide Scope & GP-CAM 3 290M
• Sky-Watcher HEQ5 Pro & Rowan belt mod
• Sky-Watcher SynScan GPS Module for HEQ5 Pro

Last June, I purchased an Asus VivoBook 14" FHD Laptop (Intel Core i5-1135G7, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD specifically for my astrophotography endeavors.

 

I seriously considered a NEW mount & the Rowan belt upgrade kit, but after watching a detailed YouTube video (AstroAF - Full HEQ5 Pro Rowan Belt Mod and Hypertune, if anyone is interested) I deemed this to be 'above my paygrade'. I designed mainframe software systems,  but never built a computer!

 

This is the video I'm using as a basic setup the Sky-Watcher Mount using EQMOD, Stellarium, and N.I.N.A.

 

So I have downloaded some software to run my camera using the laptop for automatic tracking & alignment:

• ASCOM Platform – Core framework
• EQMOD (EQASCOM) – If controlling HEQ5 Pro directly via PC
• Altair Camera Drivers – For GP-CAM 3 290M guiding
• PHD2 – For guiding
• N.I.N.A. – Your main imaging software (Download here)Canon EOS Utility

I'm not to sure exactly which of these I need to get everything up and running, I'm still researching everything.

 

I plan to add a mini-PC to this setup to be able to control from my office (still have to negotiate this with my finance minister).

 

Now I'm setting this up while waiting for warmer days. There's still quite a bit of snow on the ground here in Levis, Quebec (46° 43' 48" N.;  71° 10' 12" W.).

 

 

[Frank Logan]

Nice rig! Looking forward to seeing more. Can't wait to see some astrophotography when warmer weather hits.

 

Frank

[PS46]

Here is the software I've installed on my laptop I'll be using to control my setup:

 

 

 

I began my research using the info from Lift Off's (Frank Logan) post here: Optimizing a Celestron Omni XLT 150 Newt. I then augmented his information by supplying my equipment to ChatGPT and asking for what free software I could use for prime astrophotography with a DSLR & an Altair MG32 Mini Guide Scope & GP-CAM 3 290M. I also plan to use a 500GB SSD in an aluminium Nvme M.2 SSD Enclosure to store all my images.