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Posts Made By: Rod Mollise

October 11, 2009 02:39 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Imaging / Processing software advice

Posted By Rod Mollise
Gordon Irwin said:

Anyone care to comment on what to use for CCD imaging and processing software? The pros and cons of various programs out there?
I am currently using the following equipment:
10" LX-200 clasic with super wedge controlled by TheSky 6 software
Losmandy mounted ED80ST Vixen guide scope
Orion SSAG autoguider with PHD control
Meade DSI II with filters for the imager, (until I get good enough to move up)

I am using Meade's Envisage for the moment since it came with the imager.

Thinking about Maxim DL or CCDSoft as it probably work well with The Sky 6.
I just downloaded the 30 day trial of Maxim DL to evaluate but it doesn't look like CCDSoft has that evaluation option.
I may be interested in buying a copy of CCDSoft that someone received with their SBIG camera and is not using. If you have such a thing, send me an private email at [email protected]

Thanks in advance, this forum has been a great help so far.

Gordon

Maxim DL and CCDsoft do some processing, and do a good job of it. I believe Maxim DL has a driver for the Meade camera, but I don't think CCDsoft does. I would not spend the money these programs command unless they will control your camera...that is their main purpose, not image processing.

Be that as it may, you'll also want a straight image processing program...like Adobe Photoshop. Yes, it's expensive. There are alternatives that are just as good, though, like Adobe Photoshop Essentials and Paintshop Pro.

What do I use? In addition to an older version of Photoshop, I use:

CCDsoft (When runnin' my SBIG cam).
Envisage to run the DSI for imaging.
Nebulosity for my DSLR (also will control the DSIs, and has quite a few image processing tools...look at this one...it is great and cheap).
Deepsky Stacker (stacks subframes and does other processing tasks...freeware).

October 11, 2009 02:41 PM Forum: Global Warming - REAL or NOT

Liberal idiots plan to reduce population.

Posted By Rod Mollise
Ron Streetenberger said:

A vast reduction in CO2 will produce a decrease in vegatation, decreasing the planet's food supply and result in a decrease of all mammals, including humans. No global warming will be neccessary for this to happen. I believe that a temperature decrease of just three degrees from what we currently experience could set off another ice age. Wouldn't it be wonderful to see the glaciers of the world growing again? Which scenario appeals to the climate control idiots?

Even if this were true, which it is not, as I hope you know...you're saying it's a BAD THING?! LOL

October 14, 2009 11:29 AM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

Autostar Slewing

Posted By Rod Mollise
Darryl Simmons said:

Last night I wanted to show some friends Jupiter. Since there were clouds in the area, I simply pressed "enter" after the scope had slewed to the alignment star (I could not see the star through the clouds). Once the clouds cleared I selected "Goto Jupiter". After slewing, Jupiter was in the FOV but at the very bottom edge. No problem, I thought, and used the slew keys to center the planet. No sooner had I let go of the slew keys then did the scope reset to the previous position, with Jupiter at the very edge of the FOV. Is there a way I can slew the scope to where I want it after alignment, and get it to stay there and not keep returning to it's previous position?

Darryl

What you need to do is do a careful drive training session for both axes...that's the fix. Oh, do always remember: select and object and hit ENTER, then hit GO-TO. IOW, always ENTER, THEN GO-TO.

October 14, 2009 11:31 AM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

Looking for a decent observing site South of Houst

Posted By Rod Mollise
Robert Harris said:

...that is not Brazos Bend State Park, but I am looking for something in the general vicinity along the 288 corridor south of Houston. I hope this isn't too off topic, I thought there was a forum just for observing sites but I could not find it.

Thanks!

--Robert Harris

You have TWO outstanding astronomy clubs in your city...where do they observe? Don't know? Jine up. LOL

October 14, 2009 09:39 PM Forum: Antique/Classic/Vintage Optical Instruments

Please help me identify 4" Refractor

Posted By Rod Mollise
Henry Molesky said:

Any help identifing this 4" refractor will be appreciated.
There are no markings anywhere.

Thank you

Carton I believe.

October 15, 2009 10:53 AM Forum: Global Warming - REAL or NOT

Inconvenient carbon in the Arctic

Posted By Rod Mollise
jess tauber said:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091014144729.htm

Another liberal snow job?

Jess Tauber

Yep. It's them dadgummed old LIBERAL SCIENTISTS again. I say we ignore _any_ evidence they have. WE KNOW BETTER. It's easy: when you hear scientists talk, just stick your fingers in your ears and sing "LA-LA-LA-LIBERAL SCIENTISTS BAD, LA-LA-LA, LIBERTAL SCIENTISTS BAD." Repeat as needed until all worry and potentially confusing thoughts go away. LOL

October 21, 2009 11:53 AM Forum: Reflectors

Nexstar 11 and bluetooth control

Posted By Rod Mollise
Dan Lamoreaux said:

I am looking for anyone that has had success or failure of using a Bluestar bluetooth adapter to control a Nexstar 11 with a pc. I know that Starry Night no longer sells one for Celestron scopes. I believe I read somewhere that they had problems making them work dependably. I bought a used Bluestar adapter here on astromart a while back, but it did not have the connector cable with it, so I am looking for the pinout configuration for the cable. I have a Bluestar adapter for a meade scope with cable, but there is obviously some differences either in the cable or how the adapter relays the control data between scope and pc or else they wouldn't sell different ones for different scopes. Any insight on this topic would be appreciated.

DanL

I thought about/experimented with Bluetooth, but decided that it was really more trouble than it was worth. All I really wanted, you see, was a wireless hand paddle, and NexRemote does that for me via a wireless gamepad. I may try the wi-fi option the SkyVoyager folks are offering for use with the iPod/iPhone, though.

October 23, 2009 01:11 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Celestron CGEM Mount vs. Orion Atlas Mount

Posted By Rod Mollise
Hokay...

For starters, these are basically the same mount, made by the same folks (Synta). The CGEM is pretty much an update to the EQ-6/Atlas.

--The EQ-6 can be run with EQMOD.

--The CGEM has a better hand control with better software. It also has a Losmandy D dovetail (though Orion sells replacement saddle plates for the Atlas now).

Be aware that Celestron's been having HC problems lately.

Me? I bought my Atlas about a year before the CGEM begain going to users. At first I was upset, since I really love the NS HC. But then I discovered EQMOD, and am mostly happy with the Atlas. Its only real shortcoming is that the altitude and azimuth controls are stiff and hard to use.

October 26, 2009 11:40 AM Forum: Reflectors

18"or 15" Obsession telescope or 16" meade light b

Posted By Rod Mollise
refet dehari said:

Hi I have 10" lx200 with f10 i fill not being bright
stars not gloing the best for planets maybe can do better than 16"reflector.
what do you think is thhere worth og defferences for the extra money in trade?
wisually what is the big defrences between 18" VS 15"obsession aand 15" obsession VS 16" Meade light bright ?
please help to get what i should love it .
thanks Refet

I assume you mean the Light _Bridge_? Differences? The differences will not so much be the optics...you probably would not be able to tell much difference...but in the mechanics. Smoothness of motions, ease of assembly, quality of manufacture, better focuser, etc.

October 26, 2009 11:42 AM Forum: Celestron

5" / 6" SE

Posted By Rod Mollise
Tony Grigsby said:

Anyone have any experience with either of these? Has anyone seen them side by side? I would think the 6" would have the slight edge as far as viewing, but Im wondering if its a whole lot larger than the 5".
Thanks,
Tony.

The 6-inch does offer a little improvement light-gathering/resolution wise, but, honestly, not much more than "barely noticeable." Portability-wise, neither is much more portable than the 8-inch, which brings a very noticeable performance increase to the table.

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