Weather

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SkyHiker United States of America
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Re: Weather

#381

Post by SkyHiker »


turboscrew wrote: Mon Apr 25, 2022 12:02 am This time the weather was pretty good. I did some big rig checks, and got pretty frustrated again.
I don't think I'll do any more checks until I get the new tube rings (they should arrive at the beginning of June.)

I tried to take some star tracks to find the rotational center, but some madness hit me, and I tried to take a video instead of a long exposure photo. I also realized, I don't know how to use the imaging SW.

I don't even know if I actually got the stuff on the computer disk, but after the frustration, I haven't been in the mood of doing anything astronomy related. There was time to try with the Omegon, but I just couldn't. I haven't been able to check what, if anything, I got on to disk about those tracks. Maybe tomorrow. I'm still too upset.

I need to proceed more slowly with the big rig. Otherwise I condition myself out of the hobby.
Maybe I'll put the VX12 on dobson until the new tube rings arrive. I still need to get the cameras focused.
I feel your pain!

I too had been wondering if I took on too much of a big rig. Add to that the DIY nature of my mount, and I needed 20 to 30 sessions just to tune everything in. Right now it's reasonable but I'm still not convinced if I should keep working on the 12" or just use the 6" Mak-Newt. The weight and all related troubles are proportional to the cube of the aperture, while the light gathering is only proportional to the square of it. So going big quickly becomes a losing matter.

If you need 20 to 30 sessions before being productive like me and many others, at a rate of 1 good practice night per 2 years, well... Now, keep in mind that many practice nights are wasted on stupid things that could as well have been tried in the daytime. For example, getting used to the software and all their little quirks that can easily ruin a night - don't underestimate the trouble that software can cause you! Also don't underestimate what a difference it makes once you master it. Practice plate solving with images, test the camera, take the rig to a site where you can solve your cone error issues, try remote connections, battery-only operation, you don't need dark skies for that. Some packages have simulators, too. And if you use a collection of Windows packages as opposed to an everything-in-one Ekos, practice how to make them work together. Heck you can try making artificial stars and trick the system into half-way real operation.

Moreover, for big rigs you need to get setting up and breaking down to within 5 minutes each not a half hour or you will be out of the hobby soon. I repeat my earlier recommendation: build an on-OTA electronic rig with mini-computer and find a storage place near where you observe - build a shed if you need to. The summertime is perfect for that so you will be ready before next season. After I got my Medusa electronic control rig working, setting up and breaking down became a snap - less than 5 minutes. It kept me from leaving the hobby. The other thing that kept me going is that I like to play with mechanical and electronic gadgets and get them working, which is also mostly a daytime thing.

So, I suggest that you can do a lot of prep work in the summertime that will help a tremendous amount later on. At your latitude and with your big rig you have to. Getting out on the rare occasions that you have being poorly prepared while spending a lot of time setting up for near-guaranteed failures, that's no fun. Hopefully this is not too patronizing, but we all like you to succeed.
... Henk. :D Telescopes: GSO 12" Astrograph, "Comet Hunter" MN152, ES ED127CF, ES ED80, WO Redcat51, Z12, AT6RC, Celestron Skymaster 20x80, Mounts and tripod: Losmandy G11S with OnStep, AVX, Tiltall, Cameras: ASI2600MC, ASI2600MM, ASI120 mini, Fuji X-a1, Canon XSi, T6, ELPH 100HS, DIY: OnStep controller, Pi4b/power rig, Afocal adapter, Foldable Dob base, Az/Alt Dob setting circles, Accessories: ZWO 36 mm filter wheel, TV Paracorr 2, Baader MPCC Mk III, ES FF, SSAG, QHY OAG-M, EAF electronic focuser, Plossls, Barlows, Telrad, Laser collimators (Seben LK1, Z12, Howie Glatter), Cheshire, 2 Orion RACIs 8x50, Software: KStars-Ekos, DSS, PHD2, Nebulosity, Photo Gallery, Gimp, CHDK, Computers:Pi4b, 2x running KStars/Ekos, Toshiba Satellite 17", Website:Henk's astro images
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turboscrew
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Re: Weather

#382

Post by turboscrew »


I have a funny itch that my only problem with the big rig is deformed tube rings. I've ordered new ones, but I probably get them in the beginning of June. The old ones work fine with the dobson mount. I still can't attach my Omegon to Losmandy saddle. I'm also not totally convinced that the dovetail bolted on the Omegon is that well aligned.

Before the binding fix, I got a taste how things work with the big rig, and I was thrilled. Totally loved it.
I changed between CEM120 and dobson several times without problems. It was just that in colder weathers the frigging thing started binding.

I think my measurements with the laser pointer would have revealed the problem, if the mount itself were that much off. My measurements showed an error about couple of arc minutes. And some of that probably measurement errors.
- Juha

Senior Embedded SW Designer
Telescope: OrionOptics XV12, Mount: CEM120, Tri-pier 360 and alternative dobson mount.
Grab 'n go: Omegon AC 102/660 on AZ-3 mount
Eyepieces: 26 mm Omegon SWAN 70°, 15 mm TV Plössl, 12.5 mm Baader Morpheus, 10 mm TV Delos, 6 mm Baader Classic Ortho, 5 mm TV DeLite, 4 mm and 3 mm TV Radians
Cameras: ZWO ASI 294MM Pro, Omegon veLOX 178C
OAG: TS-Optics TSOAG09, ZWO EFW 7 x 36 mm, ZWO filter sets: LRGB and Ha/OIII/SII
Explore Scientific HR 2" coma corrector, Meade x3 1.25" Barlow, TV PowerMate 4x 2"
Some filters (#80A, ND-96, ND-09, Astronomik UHC)
Laptop: Acer Enduro Urban N3 semi-rugged, Windows 11
LAT 61° 28' 10.9" N, Bortle 5

I don't suffer from insanity. I'm enjoying every minute of it.

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Re: Weather

#383

Post by GCoyote »


Another 0.4" of rain.
Temps in the low 50s and blustery.
Any metaphor will tear if stretched over too much reality.
Gary C

Celestron Astro Master 130mm f5 Newtonian GEM
Meade 114-EQ-DH f7.9 Newtonian w/ manual GEM
Bushnell 90mm f13.9 Catadioptric
Gskyer 80mm f5 Alt/Az refractor
Jason 10x50 Binoculars
Celestron 7x50 Binoculars
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(And a bunch of stuff I'm still trying to fix or find parts for.)
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Re: Weather

#384

Post by Ylem »


Yesterday we had the air-conditioning on.

Today we have the heat on.
Clear Skies,
-Jeff :telescopewink:


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Orion 80ED
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Re: Weather

#385

Post by turboscrew »


Ylem wrote: Sun May 08, 2022 8:33 pm Yesterday we had the air-conditioning on.

Today we have the heat on.
A bit like here - almost +20°C in the afternoon. I just didn't bother with the air conditioning. -2°C now. And colder weathers forecasted.
- Juha

Senior Embedded SW Designer
Telescope: OrionOptics XV12, Mount: CEM120, Tri-pier 360 and alternative dobson mount.
Grab 'n go: Omegon AC 102/660 on AZ-3 mount
Eyepieces: 26 mm Omegon SWAN 70°, 15 mm TV Plössl, 12.5 mm Baader Morpheus, 10 mm TV Delos, 6 mm Baader Classic Ortho, 5 mm TV DeLite, 4 mm and 3 mm TV Radians
Cameras: ZWO ASI 294MM Pro, Omegon veLOX 178C
OAG: TS-Optics TSOAG09, ZWO EFW 7 x 36 mm, ZWO filter sets: LRGB and Ha/OIII/SII
Explore Scientific HR 2" coma corrector, Meade x3 1.25" Barlow, TV PowerMate 4x 2"
Some filters (#80A, ND-96, ND-09, Astronomik UHC)
Laptop: Acer Enduro Urban N3 semi-rugged, Windows 11
LAT 61° 28' 10.9" N, Bortle 5

I don't suffer from insanity. I'm enjoying every minute of it.

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Re: Weather

#386

Post by pakarinen »


Supposed to hit 90* F here tomorrow, which is fine by me as long as it's clear. :pray:
=============================================================================
I drink tea, I read books, I look at stars when I'm not cursing clouds. It's what I do.
=============================================================================
AT50, AT72EDII, ST80, ST102; Scopetech Zero, AZ-GTi, AZ Pronto; Innorel RT90C, Oberwerk 5000; Orion Giantview 15x70s, Vortex 8x42s, Navy surplus 7x50s, Nikon 10x50s
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Re: Weather

#387

Post by Ylem »


70F today, partly cloudy.
Clear Skies,
-Jeff :telescopewink:


Member; ASTRA-NJ



Orion 80ED
Celestron C5, 6SE, Celestar 8
Vixen Porta Mount ll
Coronado PST
A big box of Plossls
Little box of filters
:D



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Re: Weather

#388

Post by GCoyote »


Mid 60s and mostly sunny today.
Any metaphor will tear if stretched over too much reality.
Gary C

Celestron Astro Master 130mm f5 Newtonian GEM
Meade 114-EQ-DH f7.9 Newtonian w/ manual GEM
Bushnell 90mm f13.9 Catadioptric
Gskyer 80mm f5 Alt/Az refractor
Jason 10x50 Binoculars
Celestron 7x50 Binoculars
Svbony 2.1x42 Binoculars
(And a bunch of stuff I'm still trying to fix or find parts for.)
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Re: Weather

#389

Post by pakarinen »


Not clear. :Boo:
=============================================================================
I drink tea, I read books, I look at stars when I'm not cursing clouds. It's what I do.
=============================================================================
AT50, AT72EDII, ST80, ST102; Scopetech Zero, AZ-GTi, AZ Pronto; Innorel RT90C, Oberwerk 5000; Orion Giantview 15x70s, Vortex 8x42s, Navy surplus 7x50s, Nikon 10x50s
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Re: Weather

#390

Post by turboscrew »


pakarinen wrote: Tue May 10, 2022 2:30 pm Not clear. :Boo:
You mean, uncle A. R.?
- Juha

Senior Embedded SW Designer
Telescope: OrionOptics XV12, Mount: CEM120, Tri-pier 360 and alternative dobson mount.
Grab 'n go: Omegon AC 102/660 on AZ-3 mount
Eyepieces: 26 mm Omegon SWAN 70°, 15 mm TV Plössl, 12.5 mm Baader Morpheus, 10 mm TV Delos, 6 mm Baader Classic Ortho, 5 mm TV DeLite, 4 mm and 3 mm TV Radians
Cameras: ZWO ASI 294MM Pro, Omegon veLOX 178C
OAG: TS-Optics TSOAG09, ZWO EFW 7 x 36 mm, ZWO filter sets: LRGB and Ha/OIII/SII
Explore Scientific HR 2" coma corrector, Meade x3 1.25" Barlow, TV PowerMate 4x 2"
Some filters (#80A, ND-96, ND-09, Astronomik UHC)
Laptop: Acer Enduro Urban N3 semi-rugged, Windows 11
LAT 61° 28' 10.9" N, Bortle 5

I don't suffer from insanity. I'm enjoying every minute of it.

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Re: Weather

#391

Post by Kanadalainen »


We have a clear evening forecast here...the snow has finally gone about 4-5 days ago. 18*C feels like a holiday. :)
Ian

Fracs: Stellarvue 70T f6; SW 120mm Esprit f7; "Mark Mk. II" - 60 mm Tasco f6; C80 frac f 11.4
SCT: C8 Edge f10 or f7 with reducer
Dob: 14.5" homebuilt strut dob (f4.5 ZOC mirror), Nexus II, Moonlite focuser
Mounts - Ioptron Skyguider pro, Astro Physics GTO900
Cameras and lenses - ZWO 2600 mc, 290 mm mini, Canon 60D modded with Rokinon 10mm 2.8; Rokinon 135mm f2

Skysafari 6 Pro, Astro Pixel Processor, Pixinsight - using Mac tablet and ASIair pro to run the AP rig.

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Re: Weather

#392

Post by pakarinen »


77* F at 0645 today. Feels like a Florida morning.
=============================================================================
I drink tea, I read books, I look at stars when I'm not cursing clouds. It's what I do.
=============================================================================
AT50, AT72EDII, ST80, ST102; Scopetech Zero, AZ-GTi, AZ Pronto; Innorel RT90C, Oberwerk 5000; Orion Giantview 15x70s, Vortex 8x42s, Navy surplus 7x50s, Nikon 10x50s
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Re: Weather

#393

Post by turboscrew »


Kanadalainen wrote: Tue May 10, 2022 6:42 pm We have a clear evening forecast here...the snow has finally gone about 4-5 days ago. 18*C feels like a holiday. :)
It rained here before noon, but I still have some snow left on my yard. +14°C here now.
- Juha

Senior Embedded SW Designer
Telescope: OrionOptics XV12, Mount: CEM120, Tri-pier 360 and alternative dobson mount.
Grab 'n go: Omegon AC 102/660 on AZ-3 mount
Eyepieces: 26 mm Omegon SWAN 70°, 15 mm TV Plössl, 12.5 mm Baader Morpheus, 10 mm TV Delos, 6 mm Baader Classic Ortho, 5 mm TV DeLite, 4 mm and 3 mm TV Radians
Cameras: ZWO ASI 294MM Pro, Omegon veLOX 178C
OAG: TS-Optics TSOAG09, ZWO EFW 7 x 36 mm, ZWO filter sets: LRGB and Ha/OIII/SII
Explore Scientific HR 2" coma corrector, Meade x3 1.25" Barlow, TV PowerMate 4x 2"
Some filters (#80A, ND-96, ND-09, Astronomik UHC)
Laptop: Acer Enduro Urban N3 semi-rugged, Windows 11
LAT 61° 28' 10.9" N, Bortle 5

I don't suffer from insanity. I'm enjoying every minute of it.

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Re: Weather

#394

Post by Butterfly Maiden »


Strong winds and rain with us at the moment.

Temperature currently 14℃ (57.2℉).
Vanessa

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Re: Weather

#395

Post by GCoyote »


Clear but windy and cool last night. I might have gone out for a bit with the binos but it had been a very long day and I had no particular targets in mind.
Any metaphor will tear if stretched over too much reality.
Gary C

Celestron Astro Master 130mm f5 Newtonian GEM
Meade 114-EQ-DH f7.9 Newtonian w/ manual GEM
Bushnell 90mm f13.9 Catadioptric
Gskyer 80mm f5 Alt/Az refractor
Jason 10x50 Binoculars
Celestron 7x50 Binoculars
Svbony 2.1x42 Binoculars
(And a bunch of stuff I'm still trying to fix or find parts for.)
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Re: Weather

#396

Post by Butterfly Maiden »


Light rain showers and a moderate breeze.

Although we have heard the odd rumble of thunder, and thundery showers are forecast for later this evening.

Temperature is currently 16℃ (60.8℉) with an expected high of 18℃ (64.4℉).
Vanessa

Nikon D82 Fieldscope with 30x/45x/56x angled eyepiece.
Olympus DPS-1 10x50 binoculars.
Leica 8x32BN binoculars.
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Re: Weather

#397

Post by GCoyote »


Butterfly Maiden wrote: Sun May 15, 2022 10:01 am Light rain showers and a moderate breeze.

Although we have heard the odd rumble of thunder, and thundery showers are forecast for later this evening.

Temperature is currently 16℃ (60.8℉) with an expected high of 18℃ (64.4℉).
Same here with only a trace of actual rain in the past 24 hours.
Low 80s today with thunderstorms.
Partly cloudy tonight, odds of seeing the lunar eclipse are not good.
Any metaphor will tear if stretched over too much reality.
Gary C

Celestron Astro Master 130mm f5 Newtonian GEM
Meade 114-EQ-DH f7.9 Newtonian w/ manual GEM
Bushnell 90mm f13.9 Catadioptric
Gskyer 80mm f5 Alt/Az refractor
Jason 10x50 Binoculars
Celestron 7x50 Binoculars
Svbony 2.1x42 Binoculars
(And a bunch of stuff I'm still trying to fix or find parts for.)
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Re: Weather

#398

Post by turboscrew »


Starts to look like the last snow pile will be gone by midsummer after all. :lol:
IMG_0835_small.JPG
- Juha

Senior Embedded SW Designer
Telescope: OrionOptics XV12, Mount: CEM120, Tri-pier 360 and alternative dobson mount.
Grab 'n go: Omegon AC 102/660 on AZ-3 mount
Eyepieces: 26 mm Omegon SWAN 70°, 15 mm TV Plössl, 12.5 mm Baader Morpheus, 10 mm TV Delos, 6 mm Baader Classic Ortho, 5 mm TV DeLite, 4 mm and 3 mm TV Radians
Cameras: ZWO ASI 294MM Pro, Omegon veLOX 178C
OAG: TS-Optics TSOAG09, ZWO EFW 7 x 36 mm, ZWO filter sets: LRGB and Ha/OIII/SII
Explore Scientific HR 2" coma corrector, Meade x3 1.25" Barlow, TV PowerMate 4x 2"
Some filters (#80A, ND-96, ND-09, Astronomik UHC)
Laptop: Acer Enduro Urban N3 semi-rugged, Windows 11
LAT 61° 28' 10.9" N, Bortle 5

I don't suffer from insanity. I'm enjoying every minute of it.

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Ylem United States of America
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Re: Weather

#399

Post by Ylem »


Humid and cloudy, but comfortable.
Clear Skies,
-Jeff :telescopewink:


Member; ASTRA-NJ



Orion 80ED
Celestron C5, 6SE, Celestar 8
Vixen Porta Mount ll
Coronado PST
A big box of Plossls
Little box of filters
:D



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Re: Weather

#400

Post by pakarinen »


I don't think I'm going to be able to view the eclipse tonight. Arrowhead indicates general movement of cloud bank. :sigh:
xyzzy.jpg
=============================================================================
I drink tea, I read books, I look at stars when I'm not cursing clouds. It's what I do.
=============================================================================
AT50, AT72EDII, ST80, ST102; Scopetech Zero, AZ-GTi, AZ Pronto; Innorel RT90C, Oberwerk 5000; Orion Giantview 15x70s, Vortex 8x42s, Navy surplus 7x50s, Nikon 10x50s
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