Recent Activity
September 2020. The arrival of the ZWO ASI294MC Pro camera in September has created a whole new experience. It's not compatible with ToupSky and so SharpCap has been chosen to control it. New camera + new software = severe new learning curve. But great fun in facing the challenge. Only experimental images so far so nothing to add to the image gallery. One pleasing finding is that the Baader MPCC coma corrector works very well with this camera resulting in coma-free stars across the whole of the camera's frame.
10-11 October 2020. Out with the GStar-Ex3 trying to image Mars which was almost at closest approach. Used the x2 Televue barlow and the usual SkyWatcher 6 inch Newtonian. The result was only so-so but was still better thant I've ever been able to get before. An image has been added to the relevant gallery.
22 November 2020. After much experimentation it seems that some half-decent flats have now been captured for use with the ASI294MC Pro camera. When put to use on a night lit up with a half Moon they removed the vignetting that had up to then been an intractable problem. The secret seems to be to create mono flats rather than try to create colour flats even 'though the ASI294MC Pro is a colour camera.
10-11 October 2020. Out with the GStar-Ex3 trying to image Mars which was almost at closest approach. Used the x2 Televue barlow and the usual SkyWatcher 6 inch Newtonian. The result was only so-so but was still better thant I've ever been able to get before. An image has been added to the relevant gallery.
22 November 2020. After much experimentation it seems that some half-decent flats have now been captured for use with the ASI294MC Pro camera. When put to use on a night lit up with a half Moon they removed the vignetting that had up to then been an intractable problem. The secret seems to be to create mono flats rather than try to create colour flats even 'though the ASI294MC Pro is a colour camera.