equipment

Inside the Observatory

The pier mounted CGE German Equatorial mount is used with a Televue NP-127is. The guide scope for both is a Televue 60. A modified Canon 600D is the primary camera for AP. An Orion StarShoot autoguider is used with Stark Labs PHD2 Guiding software (free-ware for both Mac and PC).

The work station consists of a Intel Mac notebook running both OS X and Windows 7. The laptop is covered with rubylith film for night vision adaptation. The laptop is on a wired LAN and once the telescope and peripherals are turned on, the entire operation can be monitored/operated remotely from the house using TeamViewer software (free-ware for both Mac and PC). Using TeamViewer, new targets can be acquired remotely as well as operate the cameras.

General AP Night Acquisition Procedures/Routine:

1. Turn all essential equipment on and open roof.

2. Camera focus is usually done the previous night so that flats can be taken if necessary. Flats, bias and darks are taken before skies are dark enough for AP. I focus both the main scope and guide scope using a Bahtinov focus mask and the large LSD screen with Canon's EOS utility (comes with camera for both Mac and PC) set on live view at 10x. I found it is possible to use the 5" mask on the TV-60 by balancing the mask by one screw on the top of the scope although PHD2 can be used to focus the guide scope.

3. Target is acquired using the CGE hand controller, The Sky 6 (PC only), Voyager 4.5 (both Mac and PC), or Stellarium (free-ware for both Mac and PC).

4. Canon's EOS utility is started and short ISO 1600 shots are taken to ensure the target is centered as desired.

5. PHD2 Guiding is initiated and monitored until guiding is evident.

6. ImagesPlus Camera Control is then used to take the desired exposure and sequence of sub-frames. I usually set a 45"or 60" delay between shots to allow the CCD to cool a bit. I also routinely turn a large floor fan on low with it orientated vertically and directed at both cameras.

7. Progress is monitored at the observatory or in the house depending on the weather and other factors.

See Ray Shore's or Covington's site for a detailed discussion on setting up your DSLR.

Suggestions, Comments or Questions?

timb...@gmail.com