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Posts Made By: Steven Jindra

April 21, 2004 07:08 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

AIP4Win Features?

Posted By Steven Jindra
I recently purchased a SXV-H9 with guide camera. I am currently comparing the cost/value of AIP4Win to that of AstroArt and MaximDL/CCD. If I go with AIP4Win (because it's priced right) what features will I get and not get compared with the other two?
Thanks
Steven Jindra

April 24, 2004 04:08 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Source for Delrin Tip Screws?

Posted By Steven Jindra
Does anyone know of a source for reasonably priced Delrin tipped thumbscrews for guidescope rings?

Thanks
Steven Jindra

April 25, 2004 08:03 PM Forum: TeleVue

TV .8 Reducer/Flattener on FS-78?

Posted By Steven Jindra
I have a Tak FS-78 with a 2" eyepiece adapter. Does anyone know if a TV .8 Reducer/Flattener would be effective for photographic work with a SXV-H9 camera?
Thanks
Steven Jindra

April 28, 2004 05:03 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

M16 - First Sucessful Image With New Camera

Posted By Steven Jindra
This is my first sucessful image since purchasing a SXV-H9 early this month. It had been cloudy most nights since until last Monday night/Tuesday morning.

Taken around 4am Tuesday (April 27) morning, from my back yard in the heavily light polluted skies of Deer Park, Texas (next to Houston).

The scope is a Takahashi FS-78 (630mm @ F8) mounted on an LX200 fork mount in tandom with a Celestron 9.25 SCT (used to autoguide @ F3.3). I am still working on the best guiding settings/techniques.

This image is a composite of the best 36 (of 65) one minute images taken through a plain Celestron red filter. The images were aligned and medium combined, followed with a .5, then a .8 gamma stretch in MaximDL/CCD V3.22. I then adjusted contrast in Photoshop LE and reduce the size to 50% (I may post again cropped around the Eagle instead of reduced).

Between camera control, guiding techniques, and image processing it is quite a learning curve, but it's fun.
Any comments or suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks
Steven Jindra

April 28, 2004 05:30 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

AutoGuiding LX200 - To PEC or not to PEC?

Posted By Steven Jindra
I am new to astroimaging (just posted my first picture) and am learning my camera, mount, scopes, and software.

I have an LX200 fork mount adapted to mount an FS-78 on top and a Celestron 9.25" SCT below. My camera is a SXV-H9 with autoguider. It is mounted on a 6" pedistal and Meade Super Wedge in my back yard.

Without PEC or guiding with a 3.3 FR (around a FL of 800mm) I took a series 120 - 20 second images of M104 with 2x2 binning. Of these only 20 (1 in 6) were decent, without star trails.

Later I set up the guider on the SCT at FL of 800mm and used my refractor at FL of 630mm for imaging. I took a series of 65 - 1 minute images with 1x1 binning. Still no PEC set. About 1 of every 2 images were decent, without star trails. I used the settings from the MaximDL/CCD guide test routine.

My question: should I set up the PEC for my mount in conjunction with the autoguider or just use the autoguider without PEC? Of course, maybe I am just being too PECky (pun is intended). Any suggestions on getting the most out of my LX200 mount are appreciated.

Thanks
Steven Jindra

May 6, 2004 07:07 PM Forum: Takahashi

FYI - Borg FS-78 to SCT Adapters

Posted By Steven Jindra
I recently ordered a 2" LPS and the Borg part #'s 7502 and 7424 that allow attachment to my SCT OTA with the filter. I later contacted Ted at Hutech to see if a 7911 would work with the 7502 to allow use of SCT adapters on my FS-78. Bottom line: Borg part #'s 7911 and 7502 will adapt from the FS-78 focuser to male SCT and allow installation of a 2" filter as well. So I now have a 7911 on the way. The cost of the combo is $75.

This helps me since I have an SCT 2" diagonal as well as many other SCT adapters. I am still trying to determine if the Meade .33 and/or .63 focal reducers will be effective for photos with the FS-78 and SXV-H9 camera.

I hope this info may help others.
Thanks
Steven Jindra

September 25, 2004 07:08 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

CI-700 For Astrophotography - What Can I Expect?

Posted By Steven Jindra
I have just order a CI-700 with hand controller, PEC, backlash controls, a Sky Vector Computor (with 4000 tick encoders).

I plan to mount my Celestron 9.25" SCT OTA and Tak FS-78 in tandom. My camera is the SXV-9H with autoguider camera.

Do you think I will be able to get a series of quality 2 to 3 minute images at the 2350 focal length of the 9.25" with the FS-78 autoguiding with either no binning or 2 x 2 binning?

Any comments on the Lumicon Sky Vector Computer?

Any experiences or suggestions good or bad with this mount? Any things to look for or improvements to consider?

While I am waiting for delivery, I would appreciate any input.

Thanks
Steven Jindra

September 26, 2004 05:48 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

CI-700 for Astrophotography - What Can I Expect?

Posted By Steven Jindra
I have just order a CI-700 and Sky Vector Computor with 4000 tick encoders (stated to be similar to JMI NGC MAX).

I plan to mount my Celestron 9.25" SCT OTA and Tak FS-78 in tandom. My camera is the SXV-9H with autoguider camera.

I have a 6" (6" schedule 40 pipe with top 6" plate) pedistal mount with lots of concrete underground. It is house in a 6' x 6' building with a slide off roof. Is there a factory adaptor I can bolt to the top of my pedistal for the CI-700?

Do you think I will be able to get a series of quality 2 to 3 minute images at the 2350 focal length of the 9.25" with the FS-78 autoguiding with either no binning or 2 x 2 binning?

Any comments on the Lumicon Sky Vector Computer?

Any experiences or suggestions good or bad with this mount? Any things to look for or improvements to consider?

While I am waiting for delivery, I would appreciate any input. Don't feel like you have to field all my questions to respond.

Thanks
Steven Jindra

October 6, 2004 12:01 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Apogee SCT Crayford Focuser - How Good?

Posted By Steven Jindra
I am considering purchasing the Apogee Crayford style zero image shift SCT focuser for around $100. Any comments or experiences as to how good (or not so good) it is?
Thanks
Steven Jindra

October 8, 2004 11:14 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Pier Adaptor for CGE and CI700 - Is it the Same Si

Posted By Steven Jindra
I have a pier made with 6" schedule 40 pipe with a flat plate 6-1/2" diameter welded on top. My question: is an adaptor plate (to bolt to the top of my pier) for a CGE and a CI700 the same diameter? If so will the same holes work or will new ones need to be drilled and tapped in the side?
Thanks for any help.
Steven Jindra

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