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Re: Exos-2gt pmc8 mount alignment
Daryl Larkin
I don’t think it’s necessary. When I image planets, I point my telescope’s alignment roughly north but that’s it. I don’t polar align or use GoTo since planets are obvious and easy to find. Because you’ll be shooting many images at short exposures, if the planet drifts a little, it’s not a problem.
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Re: Exos-2gt pmc8 mount alignment
Wes Mcdonald
Kevin Oh boy. If you want to do serious astro you are going to want to go serial ascom. But if you want to use explorestars: 1. You should polar align. This will help with star drift as the explorestars alignment is virtual only not physical 2. You should read and execute my procedure posted in the files section of either mounts or main that describes how to find polar home. Do this. 3. Set the scope to polar home after polar aligning and start everything. 4. Now just goto a star and perform a sync. At that point the go-to accuracy should be pretty good. 5. Now go-to and make sure the explorestars mode is "T" But I must warn you that unless you guide with that C8 focal length you are going to have some lousy stars, as the PE is in the order of 15 arc seconds ok to pk. You could also go ahead and refine your go-to by doing a virtual alignment after a physical. More as questions arise. Wes
-- Wes, Southport NC PMC-8, ES ED 127, 10" LX200GPS, Astro-Tech 8" Newt, ETX-90 Polemaster, Orion ST-80 and SAG Electrical Engineer, Retired
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Exos-2gt pmc8 mount alignment
Hi guys,
I am coming from a Celestron 4SE, so I'm used to getting it aligned before I can go and Chase planets. But now I have Celestron C8 mounted on my new exos-2gt mount. So am I to understand that before I go chasing objects, I should do the polar alignment, and then a two or three star alignment? Is this the correct procedure before I go photographing objects? When using the 4SE, the handheld computer remote, it takes you first to polar alignment, and once you have done that you press the button and it takes you to the two or three star alignment. Then as you go through each step you press the button and it takes to The next step until you are finally completed and it says successful. On Howthe new EXOS-2 GT mount, do you know that each step is successful? Thanks, Kevin Rea Lancaster, California USA
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Re: Polar alignment through main scope
#alignment
#iEXOS-100
#sharpcap
I'm curious if somebody tried to plate solving with guide scope and SharpCap? I believe SharpCap can use Astrotortilla for it.
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Re: ASUS Nexus 7
#EXOS2
#ExploreStars
Wes Mcdonald
No need to check. The ability to inhibit autoslew is only in the tablet versions not the windows version. As I stated, the tablet versions are more advanced than the windows version at the moment. This will not always be the case however.
Wes -- Wes, Southport NC PMC-8, ES ED 127, 10" LX200GPS, Astro-Tech 8" Newt, ETX-90 Polemaster, Orion ST-80 and SAG Electrical Engineer, Retired
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Re: Polar alignment through main scope
#alignment
#iEXOS-100
#sharpcap
Jeff Paules <jeff.paules@...>
Skull HQX
I really do appreciate the feedback, and given the forum rules I wouldn't mind going into more detail with you in another space. Regarding elaborating I'll do my best: 1. Set-up and level the tripod & snug tight your mount to tripod know (located under the tripod middle) a. Not to be too insulting, but I messed this up. Please check to make sure your bubble level works, if not find a fix. Mine was way off. 2. Attach and balance camera w/ lens a. Balance RA b. Balance Dec 3. Attach your camera to your imaging software a. Power on b. Connect cable c. Connect button in software 4. Start an imaging plan a. 200 frames b. Iso 6400 c. Pause 2 sec. d. Same images to a folder you know, make sure it’s empty 5. Open SharpCap a. Choose folder monitor camera i. Select the folder you pointed your imaging software to ii. Press play 6. Start up Polar Align a. Follow the Tutorial i. Solve home position – next ii. Solve 90D Dec turn – Next iii. Adjust to the SharpCap Numbers 7. Solving to SharpCap numbers a. Use the altitude knob to zero in the up / down number in SharpCap i. Once your within 00:00:XX where xx is any number & you’re good b. This is the part I’m not sure I’m a huge fan of – To zero in the left Right in SharpCap with your thumb and finger grab the tip of your counterweight bar and push the bar forward for “right” and pull backwards for “left” i. This will pivot the mount on the Azimuth axis, but since you are extended so far out of the center of rotation you are able to make really fine adjustments quickly. ii. This will add torque to the counterweight bar and possibly loosen the bars connection to the axis over time. Not sure, but likely. c. Do this till your Left right reads 00:00:XX were XX is any number, and you should now have an “Excellent” polar alignment in SharpCap
Using this method I’m able to get an excellent polar alignment in SharpCap in under 70 frames or (.333+2)*70=163.31 secs. Or 2.72 minutes.
Since Orion was just nearly directly above me I was able to use this grab the counterweight bar tip adjustment to do drift alignment corrections on the fly when I noticed a few frames in a row with identical trails.
Does that clarify. And again, thanks for the photo feedback. Quickly, as for the color you’re right. I initially balanced my blacks by choosing a black point for reference and getting each the R, G, and B to all read the same numbers. Ensuring the sky is black, and thus the image is color corrected. But then while “juicing” saturation things got wonky and I edited it on the fly. I’ll review my process to correct this error.
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Re: ASUS Nexus 7
#EXOS2
#ExploreStars
Skull HQX
On Wed, Feb 5, 2020 at 03:24 PM, Wes Mcdonald wrote:
One of the important changes in Android (over Windows) is its ability to inhibit auto align. I recommend everyone turn auto align off. With this off, you have the opportunity to skip through proffered alignment stars without having the mount skewing around the sky as you skip to the next star searching for one that is visible. Jerry mostly, if not completely, crushed a persistent issue with slewing from one star to another rapidly. While the mount probably can handle it now, I just don’t do it. Disable auto slew and be very happy.Hi Wes, for clarity, I think you mean 'auto align' instead of 'auto slew'? Btw, the iPadOS version is able to turn off auto align as well. I'm not sure about the current Windows version to be honest. I'll check and report back soon.
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Re: Polar alignment through main scope
#alignment
#iEXOS-100
#sharpcap
Skull HQX
On Wed, Feb 5, 2020 at 05:36 AM, Jeff Paules wrote:
I also aligned without the Azimuth adjuster in under 2mins, but I'm not sure this technique is best for the longevity of the equipment.I'm not sure what you mean exactly. Can you elaborate? Regarding the resulting picture. It looks good Jeff. The core isn't overexposed and there is nice detail. For constructive feedback I would say regarding color, on my calibrated screen, the nebula is a bit too purple and the skyglow/larger nebulae a tad too blue/cyan. The core should be teal colored. But only if you'd ask for such feedback! ;) It's a good result as it is already. Clear skies!
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Re: ASUS Nexus 7
#EXOS2
#ExploreStars
Wes Mcdonald
Tim The apps have different, though similar, UI. Also the Android and the IOS versions have the most recent improvements while the Windows version is still the same as the initial release I believe The main UI difference between Windows and Android (iOS also) is that the various options are accessed via the menu button located next to the zero on the main screen number pad. That gives you a slide-in pick list. Try them out to find the goodies. Many things in the settings menu which you will need. One of the important changes in Android (over Windows) is its ability to inhibit auto align. I recommend everyone turn auto align off. With this off, you have the opportunity to skip through proffered alignment stars without having the mount skewing around the sky as you skip to the next star searching for one that is visible. Jerry mostly, if not completely, crushed a persistent issue with slewing from one star to another rapidly. While the mount probably can handle it now, I just don’t do it. Disable auto slew and be very happy. Another difference between Android and all of the other apps is the ability to search for an alignment star during the alignment procedure. Start the alignment and when you want to select a star just go to the catalog. The app will pull up the star page and prompt you to select the associated alignment star. Note the app picks stars automatically that are most likely going to result in a good alignment— remember the relative locations of the stars matter when it comes to accuracy. But if you want to you can pick your own stars. I have found it is helpful sometimes to pick another star than the one auto picked but in the same constellation, owing to obstructions. Hope this helps Wes
-- Wes, Southport NC PMC-8, ES ED 127, 10" LX200GPS, Astro-Tech 8" Newt, ETX-90 Polemaster, Orion ST-80 and SAG Electrical Engineer, Retired
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Re: ASUS Nexus 7
#EXOS2
#ExploreStars
Pavel
I have never seen any other version except of the one for Android, but I suppose there are some small differences in the design. There are also minor differences between the slightly outdated documentation and the newer application updates that Jerry partly explained somewhere before. I still have no idea about the function of some buttons, such as the one concerning fimware.
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For me, the UI fits perfectly on a 7” screen. On a 10” screen, there is free space on the right and bottom. I also tried my phone with a 6” screen and (of course) this is a no-go: only top left part of the control screen is visible with the most of the direction buttons and site data, OTA data and target data. The rest is missing. Also the settings screen is incomplete. On the other hand, the catalog scales very well on any screen size, large or small. Regards, Pavel
5. 2. 2020 v 1:07, Timothy Myers via Groups.Io <tim_s_myers=sbcglobal.net@groups.io>:
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Re: Polar alignment through main scope
#alignment
#iEXOS-100
#sharpcap
FishWithFeet <jeff.paules@...>
I just thought I'd close the loop. I posted this photo elsewhere on the forum, however I did want to say that the PA through SharpCap allow this photo of 80 stacked 30 sec. Exposures unguided. I also aligned without the Azimuth adjuster in under 2mins, but I'm not sure this technique is best for the longevity of the equipment. Same setup, 200 1/3rd iso 1600 photos, folder monitor camera. In ShapCap polar align, dial in Altitude. Then as per the SharpCap process your Right Ascension is parallel to the ground. Using the counterweight bar I find that I can make fine adjustments with a little huge forward or back to get it "left" or "right" During the capture process the mount fell out of alignment a few times (noticed by trails) I was able to also use this technique between exposures to counteract the drift. I still think the AZ fine adjusters are the way to go, but I ran into an issue where I ordered mine from Andromeda to get free shipping. The sell the old version of the part that does not have the pieces needed to use with the iEXOS stock mount. If you do decide to buy this, buy from Explore Scientific direct.
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Re: ASUS Nexus 7
#EXOS2
#ExploreStars
Timothy Myers
Paval,
Thank you that was easy enough to do. Question: Is the interface on the Android different from the one on a PC? I am not seeing the buttons across the top and bottom of the screen, or is that the scale issue with the Nexus 7? -- Tim Myers Telescopes: Celestron 4SE, Celestron 8SE Mounts: 4-5 SE, 6-8SE, EXOS-2GT with PMC-Eight Cameras: ASI1600ME, Cooled Tablets: Asus Nexus 7
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Re: Amazon Fire 8HD
#EXOS2
Also, in recent Android versions there's an option of disabling battery optimization for selected apps. I would do this for ExploreStars.
As long as there's one app that keeps WiFi awake, the Android subsystem supporting WiFi won't go to sleep either. I hope this helps. JJ
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Re: Recently Locked Thread on Beginner's Sub Forum
#ExploreScientific
#astrophotography
On Tue, Feb 4, 2020 at 12:06 PM, brian skinner wrote:
Hi Jerry, I must apologise for starting the lens vs telescope discussionHi Brian, no worries. I would suggest to everybody to post anything they like within the general guidelines. if you have a question about whether the post is on the edge you can send me a message and ask. I prefer to have everyone's post show up immediately instead of moderating every post as it comes in (not showing it until approved) which is another option. Thanks -- 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: Question on Explore Scientific EXOS2-GT Equatorial Mount with PMC-Eight GoTo System
charles mckowen
I’m packing around 18lbs doing Astro and having no problems. Sharp images and smooth tracking
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On Feb 3, 2020, at 3:16 PM, Kevin Rea <reakevinscott@...> wrote:
-- Chuck McKowen Bortle 3 Mangham/Monroe, La WO Z61, ES ED 102, AstroTech 6 Rc,
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Re: Recently Locked Thread on Beginner's Sub Forum
#ExploreScientific
#astrophotography
brian skinner
Hi Jerry, I must apologise for starting the lens vs telescope discussion and fully appreciate your concern about this. Obviously we (absolute) beginners are likely to, from time to time, seek hints from more experienced users of your iEXOS 100 system on topics that may not strictly be direct mount topics, fully understood. All I can say is that I am extremely happy with my iEXOS 100 system and I (as I'm sure the majority of your customers also) very much appreciate the forums available to us. Kind regards, Brian
On Tue, 4 Feb 2020, 16:19 Jerry Hubbell - Explore Scientific VP Engineering, <jrh@...> wrote: I recently locked a thread on the PMC-Eight iEXOS 100 Beginner's subgroup entitled "Lense vs telescope". The initial response I made (message 39 in the thread) talked about the discussion moving into DSLR photography and was off topic.
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Recently Locked Thread on Beginner's Sub Forum
#ExploreScientific
#astrophotography
I recently locked a thread on the PMC-Eight iEXOS 100 Beginner's subgroup entitled "Lense vs telescope". The initial response I made (message 39 in the thread) talked about the discussion moving into DSLR photography and was off topic.
I misspoke, and I apologize for any confusion this caused. The discussion had veered off into discussions of image processing DSLR images. The reason I locked it was because of that, not because it was about DSLRs. We welcome discussion about any topic related to PMC-Eight mount system performance in terms of imaging, tracking, guiding, ease of use, etc. That is the purpose of the forum and we especially like seeing the results of your imaging sessions using any camera you care to use. So I apologize again for any confusion. I should have said this is not an image processing forum, it is a mount system forum. Please keep sharing your experiences with the PMC-Eight, and asking your questions, I think everyone appreciates coming hear and reading about what new successes, and yes, failures, are occurring with the system. Thanks for your continued support! Clear Skies -- 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: Data base is on SD card but will not load onto the application
#ExploreStars
#Android
Pavel
Oops! So, you use Windows just to install the database for an Android device - then follow Kent and Jerry, I am terribly sorry!
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P.
4. 2. 2020 v 15:37, Pavel via Groups.Io <pavel.vondricka=ff.cuni.cz@groups.io>:
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Re: Data base is on SD card but will not load onto the application
#ExploreStars
#Android
On Tue, Feb 4, 2020 at 09:13 AM, John Pirrone wrote:
I can open ES and can move the mount but none of the database objects are in the app.Hi John, I am sorry you are having issues getting ExploreStars to work on your Android device. I assume that you used this page to download the database file: https://explorescientificusa.com/pages/android-os-download Please note that the ExploreStars folder copied to the root of the SD card contains not only the images folder but also the file "ExploreStars.sqlite" that is the file your device is looking for. First, verify that file is there, and then you need to make sure (Step 3 in the procedure) that under the application permissions (under settings) that you give the ExploreStars app permission to access your external storage (SD card). It should work for you if you have done these steps. -- 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: Data base is on SD card but will not load onto the application
#ExploreStars
#Android
Kent Marts- Explore Scientific Customer Service
The quick message that flashes up states that it cannot find the sqlite files. Those are the database files.
That tablet appears to be an Adroid device. As such it needs a different database set from the one Windows uses. You need to download the Android database on the Windows machine, extract it correctly, install it on the SD card, and put it card in the device.
There may be some security settings on the device that have to be set.
Here are the directions I’ve written, and posted before:
Follow the steps exactly: 1) From this page -- https://explorescientificusa.com/pages/android-os-download -- download the Android database onto a Windows machine. 2) Go to where it downloaded, probably the download folder, where you'll find ExploreStars in a zipped file. 3) Click on it ONCE. 4) At the top should see, in pink, Compressed Folder Tools. Click on that -- NOT on Extract. 5) A bit below that, on the right, you'll now see Extract All. Double click it. 6) I suggest you click the browse button so can make the machine download it onto your desktop. Once the location is chosen, click selection. 7) Then click Extract. The extraction process will start. Now that it is downloaded: 1) Find the ExploreStars folder on your desktop. 2) Double click it to open it. Inside should be 2 files – the Images folder and the file ExploreStars.sqlite. If you have not already done so, insert your micro-SD card into the computer slot. 1) Open the micro-SD card. Delete ALL ExloreStars folders that may reside there. 2) Close the micro-SD card. 3) Click and hold on the ExploreStars folder AND DRAG it onto the micro-SD card. 4) Open the micro-SD card to verify the folder is on the FIRST LEVEL of the card. 5) If it is not, Get on the FIRST LEVEL. 6) Eject the card. On the tablet: 1) If it is running, close the ExploreStars app. 2) Insert the micro-SD card. 3) Turn off the tablet. 4) Turn on the tablet. 5) Launch ExploreStars. That process should get you up and running. Now, some devices require you to give permission to let the app access the database. That is different on different operating systems. If that's the case, I need to know exactly what operating system you are running. You can probably Google it and find it yourself. The most common mistaken I've seen in this process happens in Step No. 4 in the first paragraph: 4) At the top should see, in pink, Compressed Folder Tools. Click on that -- NOT on Extract. The mistake is clicking on Extract under the pink box. Click on the pink box to access the correct Extract All button. I hope my directions make sense. I typed them as I went through the process on my computer.
Kent Marts Customer Service Explore Scientific
From: MAIN@ESPMC-Eight.groups.io <MAIN@ESPMC-Eight.groups.io>
On Behalf Of John Pirrone via Groups.Io
Sent: Monday, February 3, 2020 10:00 PM To: MAIN@ESPMC-Eight.groups.io Subject: [ESPMC-Eight] Data base is on SD card but will not load onto the application #ExploreStars
I used my windows 10 laptop to load the explore stars database onto my Micro SD card. Installed it into my Lenovo Smart Tab M10. I can open ES and can move the mount but none of the database objects are in the app. When I open it an error
message comes up that says Could not open database file and a bunch of other stuff but I can't read all of it because it disappears too quickly. -- Kent Marts Customer Service Explore Scientific Gear: Anything in the store!
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