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Re: EXOS 2 Newbie Here
Thank you Jerry for your quick reply. I know you’re a busy guy but still have the time to help people like me. a favor if I may: Larry mentioned a park button on the ascom control screen. I do recall seeing this screen a few years ago. For the life of me I can’t locate it in the ascom suite on my laptop.
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Re: EXOS 2 Newbie Here
Hi Larry. Than you for replying. I most certainly will get involved w the community.
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Re: EXOS 2 Newbie Here
You need to connect the POTH to the mount and then Stellarium to POTH as POTH has controls to unpark the mount.
-- Jerry Hubbell Vice President of Engineering Explore Scientific, LLC. jrh at explorescientific.com www.explorescientificusa.com 1010 S. 48th Street Springdale, AR 72762 1-866-252-3811 Author: Scientific Astrophotography: How Amateurs Can Generate and Use Professional Imaging Data Remote Observatories for Amateur Astronomers: Using High-Powered Telescopes From Home Mark Slade Remote Observatory (MSRO) IAU MPC W54 Equipment Wilderness, VA Mounts: ES PMC-Eight G11 + Telescope Drive Master (TDM) Scopes: ES 165 FPL-53 ED APO CF, ES 102 FCD100 ED APO CF Cameras: QHY174M-GPS + FW, QHY163C Misc: 3-inch 0.7x Focal Reducer Field Flattener, Filters: Luminance, Red, V-band Photometric, Diffuser, 200 lpmm Spectral Grating Software: MaxIm DL 6, Cartes du Ciel, Astrometrica, AstroImageJ, AutoStakkert!
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Re: Finding the north star
Please continue this conversation by posting to the PMC-Eight Applications sub group.
-- Jerry Hubbell Vice President of Engineering Explore Scientific, LLC. jrh at explorescientific.com www.explorescientificusa.com 1010 S. 48th Street Springdale, AR 72762 1-866-252-3811 Author: Scientific Astrophotography: How Amateurs Can Generate and Use Professional Imaging Data Remote Observatories for Amateur Astronomers: Using High-Powered Telescopes From Home Mark Slade Remote Observatory (MSRO) IAU MPC W54 Equipment Wilderness, VA Mounts: ES PMC-Eight G11 + Telescope Drive Master (TDM) Scopes: ES 165 FPL-53 ED APO CF, ES 102 FCD100 ED APO CF Cameras: QHY174M-GPS + FW, QHY163C Misc: 3-inch 0.7x Focal Reducer Field Flattener, Filters: Luminance, Red, V-band Photometric, Diffuser, 200 lpmm Spectral Grating Software: MaxIm DL 6, Cartes du Ciel, Astrometrica, AstroImageJ, AutoStakkert!
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Re: Finding the north star
Wes Mcdonald
Link to tray on thingverse
-- Wes, Southport NC EXos2-GT PMC-8, iExos 100 ES ED 127, 10" LX200GPS+wedge, Astro-Tech 8" Newt, ETX-90, 60mm no-name guide scope ~ 260mm FL Polemaster, Orion ST-80 and SAG, ZWO 290MM, D5300 astro modified Nina, Bootcamped Mac Mini control computer, RDP to iMAC 110 amp hour lead acid deep discharge battery for field power Electrical Engineer, Retired
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Re: Finding the north star
Stan
Hi Vance and welcome to the forum.
It would be helpful to understand why you are challenged to find Polaris. Are you unfamiliar with the night sky? Is your view blocked? Are you under bright skies at night? You've already gotten great help in the previous messages, but since you asked for a link, I would recommend the Cloudy Nights forums. Just google the name and you will find them. They have several groups that address newbie questions and members are very helpful. One last thing I will mention with respect to finding Polaris is to use the compass on your phone to find North, but remember that magnetic North, which is what your compass will point to, is different than true north by a few degrees, depending on your latitude. -- Mounts: ES EXOS2 PMC-8 Scopes: Skywatcher Evostar 120ED Cameras: iPhone, Lumix LX-7, SvBony 305 Misc: Software: ExploreStars (windows and iPad), ASCOM, Stellarium, PS Align Pro, SharpCap
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Re: Finding the north star
Larry Young
Hi Vance,
I recommend that you try a free astronomy program for your smart phone. I use android so I use the apps for that platform. My favorite is Skysafari, the free version let's you hold your phone up to the sky and shows you a skychart of what you're pointing at using your gps. The other one I use all the time is Skyeye, I use it to do a rough polar alignment in daylight before dark. That saves me time by getting the mount close enough so I can see Polaris through the finder right away as soon as stars are visible. As others said you don't have to see Polaris to align your mount. Good viewing, Larry -- EXOS II PMC-8 Celestron 6SE Dobstuff rebuild of Coulter 17 with Nexus2
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Re: Finding the north star
Kim
You can also use your phone and the PS Align Pro app to get your scope reasonably close to pointing at the north star. There is a bracket that you can use to align your mount with this method. I don't recall off-hand how to find the link, but it is in here somewhere. You have to download the design and have it 3D printed, but it works well.
-- Kim T. iEXOS 100 PMC-Eight Sky-Watcher ProED 80 Sony SLT-A77V Meade LPI-GM Orion Deluxe OAG Orion Deluxe Mini 50mm Guide Scope
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Re: EXOS 2 Newbie Here
Larry Young
Hi Dino,
Welcome to the Exos2 family. If you connected to Ascom, there is a "button" on their control screen which will Park and unpark your mount. My best advice is to read everything on the PMC8 forum, take your time and have fun.
Larry
From: MAIN@ESPMC-Eight.groups.io <MAIN@ESPMC-Eight.groups.io> on behalf of Dino Monaco via groups.io <Dinomonaco@...>
Sent: Friday, August 20, 2021 8:28:52 AM To: MAIN@ESPMC-Eight.groups.io <MAIN@ESPMC-Eight.groups.io> Subject: [ESPMC-Eight] EXOS 2 Newbie Here Hi all,
Finally received my EXOs 2 PMC8 Mount yesterday after waiting since last December.😁 Definitely worrh the wait. Nice solid construction, plenty of counterweights to handle loads, and the a durable box for the controller. Was able to operate the mount in all its fundamental parameters wirelessly. But hit my first snag when trying to control using Stellarium. I know this may be a redundant question, but can someone remind me how to Unpark the scope from ASCOM again. it’s been awhile since I played around in Ascom. Stellarium connects and shows the ES reticule at Polaris but when I try to slew, a pop up asks to unpark the scope. Thanks 🙏 in advance for any assistance. -- Dino Monaco -- EXOS II PMC-8 Celestron 6SE Dobstuff rebuild of Coulter 17 with Nexus2
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Re: Finding the north star
Hildo <hildo79@...>
You don't really need to see the little dipper. If you can find the big dipper (should be in a position a little higher than the attached image) follow the line from the stars on the end (Marek and Dubhe) to Polaris. Polaris brighter then the stars surrounding it. A star app like Stellarium or skysafari also use your phones compass and will get you pretty close. Your latitude will also be close to how high Polaris is in the sky. So that will give you a general idea. Adjust your mount to what ever your latitude is and point it north. You will be In the ballpark
-------- Original message -------- From: Vance LaSalle <vancelasalle@...> Date: 2021-08-20 9:44 a.m. (GMT-07:00) To: MAIN@ESPMC-Eight.groups.io Subject: [ESPMC-Eight] Finding the north star
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Re: Finding the north star
Hi Vance If you Google “finding Polaris” you will find a series of images like this one:  Polaris is the only bright star you’ll see in that direction from Merak & Dubhe. Or, if you can work out what direction is north, from a street map of your neighbourhood, just look north. Polaris will be roughly halfway between the northern horizon and the point directly above you (a bit higher if you’re in a northern latitude, lower if you’re further south).
On Fri, 20 Aug 2021 at 17:02, Vance LaSalle <vancelasalle@...> wrote:
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Re: Finding the north star
Vance LaSalle
Yep I have Stellarium on my iPad, and star chart, however locating it is another story all together..
-------- Original message --------
From: Ian Morison <ian@...>
Date: 2021-08-20 11:56 a.m. (GMT-05:00)
To: MAIN@espmc-eight.groups.io
Subject: Re: [ESPMC-Eight] Finding the north star
Hi Vance,
the two bright stars at the right hand side of the big dipper, Merak and Dubhe act as pointers - just extend the line beyond Dubhe until you find a bright star. That should be Polaris.
Download Stellarium (free) onto a computer to see where things are.
Cheers,
Ian
On Fri, Aug 20, 2021 at 4:44 PM Vance LaSalle <vancelasalle@...> wrote:
Is there a new user group that I can get a link to I'm? I'm a little challenged when locating the north star. I'm pretty sure that I can see the big dipper but not the little dipper to get Polaris..
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Re: Finding the north star
Ian Morison <ian@...>
Hi Vance, the two bright stars at the right hand side of the big dipper, Merak and Dubhe act as pointers - just extend the line beyond Dubhe until you find a bright star. That should be Polaris. Download Stellarium (free) onto a computer to see where things are. Cheers, Ian
On Fri, Aug 20, 2021 at 4:44 PM Vance LaSalle <vancelasalle@...> wrote: Is there a new user group that I can get a link to I'm? I'm a little challenged when locating the north star. I'm pretty sure that I can see the big dipper but not the little dipper to get Polaris..
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Finding the north star
Vance LaSalle
Is there a new user group that I can get a link to I'm? I'm a little challenged when locating the north star. I'm pretty sure that I can see the big dipper but not the little dipper to get Polaris..
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EXOS 2 Newbie Here
Hi all,
Finally received my EXOs 2 PMC8 Mount yesterday after waiting since last December.😁 Definitely worrh the wait. Nice solid construction, plenty of counterweights to handle loads, and the a durable box for the controller. Was able to operate the mount in all its fundamental parameters wirelessly. But hit my first snag when trying to control using Stellarium. I know this may be a redundant question, but can someone remind me how to Unpark the scope from ASCOM again. it’s been awhile since I played around in Ascom. Stellarium connects and shows the ES reticule at Polaris but when I try to slew, a pop up asks to unpark the scope. Thanks 🙏 in advance for any assistance. -- Dino Monaco
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Re: Help pls, Guiding cables, Do i need to connect the ST4 cable to laptop and mount?
#tracking
On Fri, Aug 20, 2021 at 09:12 AM, Euan Milne wrote:
Some resources say no and other say yes.Hi Euan, There are two ways to connect your mount to your guiding system via the universally used PHD2 Guiding software. You can use the legacy ST4 connector on the mount with an ST4 cable to your camera. This is called "On camera" in PHD2. OR, you can eliminate the use of another cable by using the PulseGuiding API in ASCOM by selecting ASCOM in PHD2 for the auto guiding connection. PHD2 makes use of the USB connection you have to your mount already to send pulses to your mount. The ASCOM PulseGuide function is the best way to go. No need to use the legacy ST4 connector anymore. -- Jerry Hubbell Vice President of Engineering Explore Scientific, LLC. jrh at explorescientific.com www.explorescientificusa.com 1010 S. 48th Street Springdale, AR 72762 1-866-252-3811 Author: Scientific Astrophotography: How Amateurs Can Generate and Use Professional Imaging Data Remote Observatories for Amateur Astronomers: Using High-Powered Telescopes From Home Mark Slade Remote Observatory (MSRO) IAU MPC W54 Equipment Wilderness, VA Mounts: ES PMC-Eight G11 + Telescope Drive Master (TDM) Scopes: ES 165 FPL-53 ED APO CF, ES 102 FCD100 ED APO CF Cameras: QHY174M-GPS + FW, QHY163C Misc: 3-inch 0.7x Focal Reducer Field Flattener, Filters: Luminance, Red, V-band Photometric, Diffuser, 200 lpmm Spectral Grating Software: MaxIm DL 6, Cartes du Ciel, Astrometrica, AstroImageJ, AutoStakkert!
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Help pls, Guiding cables, Do i need to connect the ST4 cable to laptop and mount?
#tracking
Euan Milne
Folks,
Getting my head around the guiding setup. Cable wise, I have a USB cable from Laptop to Mount, usb Cable from Laptop to Guide Camera, Do I need to use the ST4 cable between the camera and the mount or the laptop and mount or something else? Some resources say no and other say yes. I plan on using ATP / Stellarium / Phd2 and ASCOM. I have all the software talking to each other. -- Mounts: ES PMC-8 IEXOS-100 Scopes: TAL-1 Cameras: Canon 1200D, Canon 70-210mm, Tamron 150-600mm, 50mm prime. Msc: 12V Powerbank Software: ExploreStars, SharpCap, All Sky Plate Solver
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There is a brand new one on Cloudy Nights for sale if you are interested.
-- Sincerely, Jennifer Shelly AstroPorch, VA Mounts: ES PMC-8 G-11, ES PMC-8 EXOS-2, ES PMC-8 iEXOS-100 Scopes: ES ED127 FCD-100, Askar FRA400, Askar FRA600, ES Levy Comet Hunter, ES N208CF, QHY Mini Guide Scope, Solomark F60 Guide Scope Cameras: QHY600M, QHY128C, QHY168C, QHY183M Misc: MoonLite CFL 2.5 / High Res Stepper / V2 Mini Controller, Baader SteelTrack NT / SteelDrive II, Baader UFC, Optolong 2" L-Pro / L-eNhance / L-Extreme, QHY CFW3-L, Baader 2” LRGBSHO CCD, Primaluce Lab Sesto Senso 2, QHY CFW3-S, Optolong 1.25” LRGBSHO CCD Imaging Software: NINA, APT, SharpCap Pro Processing Software: PixInsight, Lightroom, Premiere Elements
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Re: How to start guiding
#astrophotography
Wes Mcdonald
Euan
Get your phd2 running. This is all new stuff so be patient and work through the inevitable issues. Suggest you open this topic in the applications subgroup. Wes -- Wes, Southport NC EXos2-GT PMC-8, iExos 100 ES ED 127, 10" LX200GPS+wedge, Astro-Tech 8" Newt, ETX-90, 60mm no-name guide scope ~ 260mm FL Polemaster, Orion ST-80 and SAG, ZWO 290MM, D5300 astro modified Nina, Bootcamped Mac Mini control computer, RDP to iMAC 110 amp hour lead acid deep discharge battery for field power Electrical Engineer, Retired
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Re: How to start guiding
#astrophotography
Euan Milne
Thanks to this thread I have installed APT, and it seems to be talking to the mount ,stellarium, and my Canon camera. Not been able to try the plate solve as of yet.
Once this is working and had a few daytime practises I will try this on my next imaging session. -- Mounts: ES PMC-8 IEXOS-100 Scopes: TAL-1 Cameras: Canon 1200D, Canon 70-210mm, Tamron 150-600mm, 50mm prime. Msc: 12V Powerbank Software: ExploreStars, SharpCap, All Sky Plate Solver
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