TheSkySearchers

Hopefully first light for the ASIAIR this evening. Now connected to the home network work and on my office table works well.
Small steps to start with just going to PA the main camera and then try some plate solving. If all that works I aim the to get something to process (that would be bonus time).

Plan for the next session would be to add the guide scope and guiding into the mix... let’s see

Oh, I will be around more now, just waiting for my bonus calculations to be done; in the top tier in my final sales year. My old guys rule tee shirts are now relevant

Congratulations on the ASIAIR Tony!!

I should make it much easier to run everything!

Ah now, a clear night - but not too much progress. I set up in the early evening and all looked well, I was even able to control the scope 100ft away in the living room. I went outside when astronomical darkness fell (21:30), lo and behold it had disconnected. It would not reconnect, played around for a couple of hours and managed to almost polar align when it disconnected again.

Read up a bit today, and I think the issue was running the ASIAir from my 12v battery. It seems the Air is sensitive to the correct voltage. Never had any trouble running before from the supply, but I suspect as it got colder the battery’s output became unstable. I found I had a 12v 5A mains supply sitting around, and extended it’s lead with a handy power extension that comes with the Air. It’s been running happily since 11am with no drop outs. Just about to shift it up to the observation post and see what happens... think there’s too much high cloud to image tonight.

Patience, Lotus blossom, patience... Says my Kung Fu master.

Small steps.....

Sounds like you have fixed the power issue.

Hi Gordon, yes that does seem to be the issue, been in position now for several hours an is quietly tracking Polaris... Well that’s what I’ve told it.

OK, this is amazingly good - so simply point the scope north then just run a quick calibration. Work on the handset is done in 30 seconds, over to the mobile phone. Polar align - plate solves, found 224 stars, rotated about 15 degrees the solved PA. Took me 14 mins to hit an alignment within 2’. Picked Messier 44, NGC 2632 - Beehive, Praesepe, from the list of the best.

Scope slewed, failed on first plate solve. Auto rerun, solved and centred, set unity on ASI553 dialled up from 2 seconds to 60 seconds and bang M44 with round stars...

Then the high cloud rolled in, even with no visual a shot showed the cluster covered in mist. Clear the night was over. But I am very impressed with the ASIAIR. Compared to last night I’m over the moon!