The donation of the RC and UVEX is above and beyond, THANKS! My input would be that the configuration should be a good guide scope for plate solving and getting the star on the mirror every time. I’m,thinking of scenarios where only one star is on the mirror, obviously platesolving directy would be impossible. Initially, most are familiar with the spectroscopic adaptations of phd2 so I’d stay with that. And I’d go with Demetria for acquisitions. That’s my recommendation.
I was also reviewing the software setups for the remote observatory “Starfront”. They just require a mini pc at the scope and Ethernet cable.
So I’m definitely looking forward to how this will be set up. John
1 Like
Hi,
These recommendations seem good to me. I use Stellarium to get close to the star the use Astrophotography Tool to plate solve. My finder scope has a fairly wide fov and I plate solve off of that and then have to scroll around a bit to get the star into the slit.
Richard Brown
Another issue is connectivity. Several of the members of out local club
Use primaluce eagle at the remote site an have installed chrome Remote Desktop both at the scope and at their home computer.I’d like to hear of other possible solutions. I don’t know what our budget is but he mount is the crucial piece. I’m currently looking around to which mounts or well remotely. Any input? Thanks john
The mount for the 40cm R/C will be a Paramount ME. The idea of an acquisition scope is good, though I think the pointing will be adequate to put any bright target into the field of view of the slit-viewing camera. I have the UVEX in my lab and will be testing it in the next couple of weeks.
Thanks. I was wondering about the mount. I really hope the pointing is spot on. Are you then obliged to use skyx?
I have a UVEX/PW L350, Alt/Az/CDK14. In front of the UVEX I have the guide module and the calibration module. Everything is “hard coupled,” no nose pieces.
If you use SkyX: the last time I used it (years ago) the pointing model was good enough to put the target in the center, I can’t remember the term for slewing to target via plate solving for the SkyX, but there should be something.
Pointing, final focus adjustments, and slewing is via PWI4. Image acquisition is via SharpCap with a ASI533mm. I do not use derotation for targets that can be guided while on the slit and my slit is set up such that in Alt/Az mode the slit follows the paralactic angle when slewed to the target. Also, again with a Alt/Az mount configuration, I need to recalibrate frequently, at the target location. PhD2 complains but does it.
I control the calibration unit directly with “USIS” software controller.
All image reduction is via ISIS. I tried Demetra earlier and was not satisfied, perhaps the new version is better. I also tried specINTI, but it needs ISIS to finish off in any case. Each file consists of both target and response star. I don’t buy into the “one reference star and multiple target” philosophy because I don’t have photometric skies. Might be OK, but as a realtive beginner I avoid that option even if it takes more time for acquisition.
Agree that its best to have a reference star for each target as the relative difference in zenith angle between reference and multiple targets is often large. I tried the “one reference - multiple targets” approach once to save time but ended up with bad relative flux calibrations on all but one. That was a waste of time.
Has anyone tried out the latest version of ASCOM Alpaca remote server? I have only tinkered with it but I want to give it a good workout when I get the scope working…
Instead of a remote desktop, the computer at the site is a server whose primary purpose is device control. The user would have their own software, like Sharpcap, PHD2, ISIS, etc., on their PC and connect to the server and the required devices; just like they do now. It supposedly allows concurrent connections so different software packages can connect to the same device.
My problem with a remote desktop (I use NoMachine) is the need to transmit display update info and possibly use more than one screen, is slow and uses memory. I am thinking that this will reduce network traffic between user site and scope(?). I really want to try this on my equipment.