Is anyone using EAA for object scouting? - Forums

Topic starter

Jul 4, 2022

I recently got into EAA when I couldn't resist a huge discount on the Unistellar eQuinox. I find it a fascinating supplement to astrophotography in particular for a beginner. I started to use it to scout potential astrophotography targets. I always found it difficult to judge how much signal I'll get for a specific target under my sky conditions and whether a target is worth the effort to put in the hours. Now I'm in the progress to scan the Messier catalog and some NGC objects with my EAA device to get an initial impression. This is much move revealing in my eyes than just doing so in Stellarium and it's much more fun.

As an example I was not sure whether I have any chance to capture an image of C/2017 K2 PANSTARRS. A few minutes of EAA provided me with this

Fairly horrific as an image but hey, it's a comet and it's moving. So I may give it a try in AP if weather allows and now I can be sure to get it caught on my sensor. As most likely anyone here is aware it will meet M10 in a few days.

Anyone else out there using EAA to get a quick glance at potential AP targets?

Clear skies
Wolfgang

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Olaf Fritsche

Jul 4, 2022

Personally, this method would be too expensive for me. But I think EAA is a good entry into the hobby for many interested people, and for many the quality will be enough even in the long run.

Maybe you can report occasionally about your experiences with EAA? That would interest me as an onlooker.

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Rafał Szwejkowski

IOTD Staff

Jul 4, 2022 · Edited: Jul 4, 2022

I scout objects at dawn/dusk when the background is too bright for regular captures. I snap a few frames of different objects to check the framing and their overall features.

Well Written

kuechlew

Topic starter

Jul 4, 2022

Olaf Fritsche:
Personally, this method would be too expensive for me. But I think EAA is a good entry into the hobby for many interested people, and for many the quality will be enough even in the long run.

Maybe you can report occasionally about your experiences with EAA? That would interest me as an onlooker.

Thank you Olaf, I certainly will report on occasion if there is interest in it.

Clear skies
Wolfgang

kuechlew

Topic starter

Jul 4, 2022

I scout objects at dawn/dusk when the background is too bright for regular captures. I snap a few frames of different objects to check the framing and their overall features.

Thank you for sharing your interesting approach. I assume you have a permanent rig set up in a backyard. Unfortunately I always have to go out in the field with my gear and once I polar aligned after Polaris gets visible in the dusk it's usually dark enough to start imaging on my target. So using dusk is not an option to me. However, i could indeed use dawn in the future for some test shots.

Clear skies
Wolfgang

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Mike Dobres

Jul 4, 2022 · Edited: Jul 4, 2022

Hi Wolfgang
Ive been using EAA as an entry into AP for the past couple of years. Having purchased a used 14 inch Dobson a couple of years ago, as my first and only scope, I am finding that I can have my cake and eat it too!. I can get a quick LiveStack of a DSO, but can also save the stack to process later - in an attempt at AP! I am fortunate that the Dob is permanently set up on my property. So its pretty easy for me to set up and spend a couple hours of EAA imaging (in Sharpcap). I generally do 5 to 20 minute captures. The longer ones if I think Im really on to something good. But sometimes the shorter 5 - 10 minute captures surprise me. With some playing around in Startools, I can use the linear FITS stacks from Sharpcap, to generate 'passable' images to post on Astrobin. I doubt I'll ever win image of the day, but they make nice album to show to friends and family.

I should say, that a real game changer for me, at least for HII/OIII nebulae was the purchase of the L extreme filter. I am in Bortlr 5, so LP is not to big an issue, but even so, the difference between the L extreme and a UV-IR filter, or any other LP filter I've tried is 'night and day' - the nebulae just pop out on the screen. Its a joy to watch, and has really added to the EAA experience.

As an example of 'scouting' for good targets, a few nights ago, I got good stacks of M8, M16 and M20, and then tried the Elephant Nebula for the first time - it was mostly blocked by cloud, but I could see enough in 5 mins, to tell me that I should go back and try again for 10-20 mins on a clearer night. On the other hand, I also attempted, rho-orphiuci - Phew! forget it, with my scope, with my FOV I could only see the the central 3 stars, and some weak nebulosity - though admittedly I could have predicted the FOV issue using astrotools or similar.

Hope this helps!

CS

Mike

Helpful Engaging Supportive

kuechlew

Topic starter

Jul 4, 2022

Mike Dobres:
Hi Wolfgang
Ive been using EAA as an entry into AP for the past couple of years. Having purchased a used 14 inch Dobson a couple of years ago, as my first and only scope, I am finding that I can have my cake and eat it too!. I can get a quick LiveStack of a DSO, but can also save the stack to process later - in an attempt at AP! I am fortunate that the Dob is permanently set up on my property. So its pretty easy for me to set up and spend a couple hours of EAA imaging (in Sharpcap). I generally do 5 to 20 minute captures. The longer ones if I think Im really on to something good. But sometimes the shorter 5 - 10 minute captures surprise me. With some playing around in Startools, I can use the linear FITS stacks from Sharpcap, to generate 'passable' images to post on Astrobin. I doubt I'll ever win image of the day, but they make nice album to show to friends and family.

I should say, that a real game changer for me, at least for HII/OIII nebulae was the purchase of the L extreme filter. I am in Bortlr 5, so LP is not to big an issue, but even so, the difference between the L extreme and a UV-IR filter, or any other LP filter I've tried is 'night and day' - the nebulae just pop out on the screen. Its a joy to watch, and has really added to the EAA experience.

As an example of 'scouting' for good targets, a few nights ago, I got good stacks of M8, M16 and M20, and then tried the Elephant Nebula for the first time - it was mostly blocked by cloud, but I could see enough in 5 mins, to tell me that I should go back and try again for 10-20 mins on a clearer night. On the other hand, I also attempted, rho-orphiuci - Phew! forget it, with my scope, with my FOV I could only see the the central 3 stars, and some weak nebulosity - though admittedly I could have predicted the FOV issue using astrotools or similar.

Hope this helps!

CS

Mike

Thank you Mike! Wow, a 14 inch Dob in the backyard - what more to hope for, makes me feel envious. So in your approach EAA and AP sort of merge together, which is quite logical given the real time stacking capabilities of today's software. Your images are amazing!

Clear skies
Wolfgang

Respectful Supportive

Bruce Donzanti

Jul 5, 2022

I recently got into EAA when I couldn't resist a huge discount on the Unistellar eQuinox. I find it a fascinating supplement to astrophotography in particular for a beginner. I started to use it to scout potential astrophotography targets. I always found it difficult to judge how much signal I'll get for a specific target under my sky conditions and whether a target is worth the effort to put in the hours. Now I'm in the progress to scan the Messier catalog and some NGC objects with my EAA device to get an initial impression. This is much move revealing in my eyes than just doing so in Stellarium and it's much more fun.

As an example I was not sure whether I have any chance to capture an image of C/2017 K2 PANSTARRS. A few minutes of EAA provided me with this

Fairly horrific as an image but hey, it's a comet and it's moving. So I may give it a try in AP if weather allows and now I can be sure to get it caught on my sensor. As most likely anyone here is aware it will meet M10 in a few days.

Anyone else out there using EAA to get a quick glance at potential AP targets?

Clear skies
Wolfgang

Yes- I did for years before moving into AP. In fact, I am the one who got Salvatore to add EAA as an option on Astrobin and I started the forum discussion on this topic.
EAA is great for a casual perusing the sky. It is also great for “checking out” potential new objects to image. I think it’s best use is for outreach programs with a color camera as it is a great way to educate an audience and keep them interested by sky hopping to many objects, seeing them in instant color.

Bruce

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TurtleCat

Nov 23, 2022

I haven’t thought of using EAA as a scout but maybe I will while I have a full setup and a Stellina. Really interesting idea to get something cool but get an idea of how other things might look. Their field of view is a bit similar.