ShahGazer Rambling about Astrophotography, Coding and Clouds

Objective: Finalize all connection software and hardware between each component is running smoothly. 1. Connection HEQ5 to Skymap Pro 8 Connect RJ45-serial cable from HEQ5 handpad to Serial-to-USB converter to Laptop Identify COM Port number (under My Computer>Manage>Hardware etc) In Skymap, under Telescope>Configure, select ASCOM Driver then Configure In the list, select Celestron Scope Driver, then Properties Under Scope Type, select NexStar 5i Serial Port = whatever COM Port number assigned by Windows Track Mode = Eq N Site = Current location Scope = not paying attention for this one yet. OK>OK>OK Under Skymap, select Telescope>Open Connection “Your Wish is My Command”!!

2 nights back, the sky was exceptionally clear. I couldn’t resist setting up my equipments to try out some simple shots using Mallincam Hyper Color through Equinox. I did a rough (simply using the 50mm eyepiece to ‘center’ the alignment stars). Too lazy to beef up the magnification. Well, as it turns out… the GoTo is well off from to the side of the FOV. Hooked up with Skymap Pro 8, did some ‘Sync’ with several stars, and it still refused to re-align properly. Where does the fault lies? The Mount? Software? I couldn’t pin point exactly, but I suspected it must be the initial alignment which I did it roughly. But why doesn’t it re-align after I sync it back to the actual position via Skymap? Doesn’t happen when I used my Meade’s LX90 Autostar.. hmmm.. further study required. Still, I did managed to get some quick and dirty shots on Omega Centauri. Sky condition here was never perfect. SE sky was bathed with glow from Damansara Perdana maybe? But I was really impressed with th...

This is my new scope, Skywatcher 80mm Equinox. The photo show the scope on my newly bought HEQ5 Pro mount, which was also recently bought from Dr. Rowi. He used it only once and offered a really good price which I simply cannot resists burning my pocket! It has been almost 8 years since I upgraded any of my telescopes, and it seems to be a good time to do one as everyone else is doing so! And as usual, the weather was overcast for days later. Only after coming back to Kuala Lumpur,did I managed to test with my Mallincam Hyper Color , and with a sigh of relieve, I can reach focus with it. Now for serious studying before the China eclipse trip in July! Note: Dr.Rowi bought the mount from CK Lim of Perseids Telescopes and Binoculars in Penang, and I got the 80ED from him as well. Good service and you should try contacting him for other goodies he had.

This is my personal log while scrutinizing the world of observational astronomy and gadgetries . Not intending to be a teaching blog, cause I'm still learning myself, but I hope this will serve some kind of guides, tips and perhaps reminder for myself in the future when I want to return back and exploring the endless configurations and settings. And most important, I want to re-ignite the passion back into myself, doing things that I love, and simply have fun doing it. Please feel free to comments and throw in ideas for the rest of us to explore.