Hello from a wet Devon

Rob Barter:
Hi,

Returning to astrophotography after a 23 year gap.  Plurged out on a complete new rig as I'd sold my classic LX-200 20 years ago (baby arrived!).

Devon isn't the dryest of places being in the South West of England and gets the weather fronts coming off the Atlantic.   But still managed a few days of imaging in the back garden.  Slowly getting up to speed with PixInsight especially as I dove straight in with a Mono system and filter wheel.

Now I have the bug back I'm looking a another, long focal lenth, scope to share on the AM5 mount.

Hi Rob,

Welcome aboard. Whereabouts are you in Devon? I'm on the Western edge of Dartmoor near Tavistock. Lovely dark skies when its not raining. 

If you need any tips on equipment, capture software or processing just drop me a line.

Clear skies,

Andy

Rob Barter:
Hi Andy,

Kingsteignton,  next door to Newton Abbot.   Went past Tavistock an hour ago on the A30 on way to Cornwall for the evening….it was pouring down!

I’ve gone down the ZWO eco system for the moment but do have an Eagle v5 on the desk if I go the NINA route.  Even bought a new 32” HDR monitor to help process the data in PixInsight.

Rob

Ah OK, the dry side of the moor 😆

Yep it's been raining.  Just stopped with a small chance of Meatballs - er clear sky.

I've not used an ASIAir but have a friend who uses one very successfully. I have a Mini PC bolted to my mount, running APT for now. I'd like an Eagle, mainly for the onboard power. I rely on the power feeds on my CEM70 which can be a bit flaky.

It looks like it's clearing so hopefully get a couple of hours in. The weekend looks better though.

Look forward to seeing some images from you soon.

Best, Andy

Hi David

Looks like, for astronomy, you went in the wrong direction 😀

I have an EQ6 Pro that I bought quite a few years ago.   But the AM5 is so much lighter but of course about 4 times more expensive than when I bought the EQ6. But it doesn’t kill my back!

I’m really liking the FRA600 but its wide angle so not so great for planets or distant galaxies….so I’ve been ‘given’ the go ahead to get another scope 😀.  Maybe a 9.25 Edge HD.
Running an observatory sounded awesome.  I though have to run portable in the back garden but also planning to try Dartmoor as well.  Fortunately I do have access to the Torbay Astronomical Society observatory that has a 14” Edge HD 

Clear Skies

Rob

One of my first attempts back in the hobby from a backgarden Bottle Class 4 (according to 'Clear Outside').  Portable on the patio.

M42 with a little more Ha

taken with 

Rob's FRA600 scope setup