11 replies to this topic

[pgseye]

I'm new to AP and trying to decide on a first mount. The calculus is to go with a basic tracker like the SA 2i or iOptron SkyGuider, not spending a huge amount initially in case I don't stay interested in the hobby (I'm loving it so far). Or future-proof with something like one of the new strain wave mounts, but of course they can cost manifold more.

 

If I go the basic route, I'm wondering how practical it is to use an approach like this one described in a Nebula Photos video:

 

https://www.youtube....h?v=8MF8DByj_Po

 

I have yet to try this but wonder if other people do something similar.

 

I already have a Fuji mirrorless and Samyang 135 mm lens and a tripod. I'm in a fairly light polluted suburban area and can't see a helluvalot in terms of trying to frame DSO's. So I would have to take a guess as to the location that I'm shooting based on using Stellarium, then upload that image to astrometry.net, try and plate-solve to identify my exact location, then move the camera to try and compensate for the mislocation. Is this actually practical to do manually when we are potentially talking about such small movements? It would be a little time-consuming but I imagine less so than just hoping for the best in terms of where I've pointed the camera.

 

Thanks

Edited by pgseye, 26 March 2025 - 08:31 PM.

[matt_astro_tx]

I didn't watch the video, but I use the SA 2i tracker and I use an ASIAir Pro to do plate solving and help me find targets since the mount doesn't have GOTO.  It's a piece of cake.  When I first started I didn't have the ASIAir and it took me hours sometimes to find a target.  No more!  The ASIAir makes using a star tracking a breeze.  And not just for finding targets but for polar aligning and guiding and autofocusing and on and on.

[pgseye]

Thanks very much for that @matt_astro_tx,

 

It's interesting that you mention that as I had thought the exact same thing but then realised I was stuck with my Fuji not communicating, so I would have to also buy an astrocamera (or potentially less expensively use a cheaper guide scope and cam) to provide data to the ASIAir (if that would work)?

 

Reading around various forums it seems that prior to plate-solving, this hobby required a lot of patience! (coupled with frequent frustration no doubt)...

Edited by pgseye, 26 March 2025 - 09:02 PM.

[mattbarber]

I use NINA for plate solving, polar alignment, guiding (with dithering), and capture, shooting with a mirrorless camera (SonYy) and SW SA 2.  What Nico shows in the video (transferring photos to your phone, then using astrometry or another tool to plate solve) is doable but if you can use an ASIAir or laptop tethered to the camera, I think it would be a little less fiddly.  OTOH, I guess Fujifilm is not yet robustly supported on ASIAir or NINA.

Edited by mattbarber, 26 March 2025 - 09:10 PM.

[pgseye]

So can I try and understand how tethered plate-solving (whether it be ASIAir or laptop + NINA etc) works on the fly with a non-goto mount. Is it just as simple as:

 

- polar aligning the mount,

- attaching camera and pointing to a rough location of desired DSO,

- imaging and plate-solving to obtain feedback about actual location (does the software then tell you how much to move in RA and Dec)

- making those manual adjustments to the camera positioning (still don't fully understand how this is actually done yet, but basic trackers don't have Dec adjustments, right?)

- repeat until correctly framed

[rj144]

I have an Iexos 100 mount which is usually $400 or less and it works with plate solving and goto perfectly.

[matt_astro_tx]

So can I try and understand how tethered plate-solving (whether it be ASIAir or laptop + NINA etc) works on the fly with a non-goto mount. Is it just as simple as:

 

- polar aligning the mount,

- attaching camera and pointing to a rough location of desired DSO,

- imaging and plate-solving to obtain feedback about actual location (does the software then tell you how much to move in RA and Dec)

- making those manual adjustments to the camera positioning (still don't fully understand how this is actually done yet, but basic trackers don't have Dec adjustments, right?)

- repeat until correctly framed

You've got it right.  With regard to your question about the software telling you how much to move: The ASIAir has a planetarium feature that shows me where I am currently pointed vs. where my target is located.  So after I hit plate solve, I open the planetarium and check how far I need to push in RA and DEC.  I then push my scope, snap a new preview image, plate solve, and reopen the planetarium to check my new position.  Rinse and repeat!

[matt_astro_tx]

I have an Iexos 100 mount which is usually $400 or less and it works with plate solving and goto perfectly.

Interesting!  I am not familiar with Iexos stuff.

[UP4014Fan]

That’s basically how I do it, although I use NINA’s 3 point polar alignment plug-in so I don’t have fool with mounting the camera/lens after PA.

 

With the StarAdventurer I have, I utilize a trick I found on a website that told me how many degrees a full turn of the DEC knob represents (or how many each knurl is) and how many minutes/second the RA slew buttons move in those directions.  That makes the plate-solving process much easier once you’ve roughed in to your target by loosening the clutches. 
 

I am impressed at how well it tracks without guiding. The image of the Rosette Nebula was done with a fairly heavy Sigma 120-400 at 300mm and a Canon 200D using thirty second images.

 

Is it as easy as setting up my C8 computerized mount?  No, but it’s not terribly difficult, either.

 

 

[matt_astro_tx]

That’s basically how I do it, although I use NINA’s 3 point polar alignment plug-in so I don’t have fool with mounting the camera/lens after PA.

 

With the StarAdventurer I have, I utilize a trick I found on a website that told me how many degrees a full turn of the DEC knob represents (or how many each knurl is) and how many minutes/second the RA slew buttons move in those directions.  That makes the plate-solving process much easier once you’ve roughed in to your target by loosening the clutches. 
 

I am impressed at how well it tracks without guiding. The image of the Rosette Nebula was done with a fairly heavy Sigma 120-400 at 300mm and a Canon 200D using thirty second images.

 

Is it as easy as setting up my C8 computerized mount?  No, but it’s not terribly difficult, either.

 

Yeah, on a good night I carry my rig outside, focus, polar align, find and frame my target, calibrate, guide, and hit go and I'm back in the house in 20 minutes.  Usually it's more like 30 though.  Still I think that's pretty good!

[rj144]

Interesting!  I am not familiar with Iexos stuff.

Here's the mount for $450:

 

https://www.amazon.c...id=AVCJM6VIMRYT

[matt_astro_tx]

Here's the mount for $450:

 

https://www.amazon.c...id=AVCJM6VIMRYT

Good looking mount for the price!  I have heard PMC-Eight before.